A review by samthescorpio
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A Terrifying Metaphor for Colonization 

I find it interesting that so many of the reviews for this book focused on the whimsical ambience. Yes, it is a gothic story in a gothic setting. But more importantly, this is a book that takes an ugly, unflinching look at colonization. I highly recommend reviewing the trigger warnings before diving in if you're impacted by those sorts of themes. I love a good creepy moment, but given the themes, I found this book to beyond creepy, I found it truly disturbing. If you're just looking for wistful gothic moments, pick up something else. 

Silvia Moreno-Garcia

I will definitely pick up other works by this author. She is clearly talented, and I love the way she wrote the main protagonist in this book. Although I personally found this book too disturbing to be enjoyable, I would definitely explore her other works, which I have heard span numerous different genres. 

Read at Your Own Risk 

There is no doubt that this book is brilliant and is worth reading. I personally read as a form of escapism, and as a way to deal with my anxiety, and this book put me in a really dark headspace. It makes sense, given the themes she's tackling, but had I known more about the book, I wouldn't have chose to read it at this particular moment in my life.
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