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A review by dragoninwinterfell
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Noemí Taboada is one of the most refreshing and relatable heroines I have read in a long time. Noemí is a socialite in 1950s Mexico who enjoys parties and flirting while having no intention to marry anytime soon. She's also an ambitious, intelligent, and well-educated woman who wants to pursue a master's degree. She's well aware of the sexism in her culture and is adept at navigating antagonistic situations with charm while still demonstrating her intelligence. Female characters with this combination of traits are very rare. Following her as she navigated her way through this eerie story was so enjoyable.
Then there's the story itself. The plot starts with Noemí being sent to check on her cousin who sent a cryptic letter. Said cousin lives with her new husband and in-laws in a secluded area. She finds her cousin sick, but cated for while everyone resident of the home is creepy without being overtly hostile enough to come to obvious conclusions about. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an incredibly gifted author. Her prose flows beautifully, creating such strong visuals. While the story is slow, it felt like the exact right pacing for the plot. It never felt like the story was dragging even as the narrative took its time in unveiling each creepy twist.
My only struggle with this book was the "romance". I put that word in quotes because, despite being an essential part of the climax and resolution, the connection between Noemí and her love interest wasn't well-developed. As wonderfully as Noemí herself was written, the love interest and his motivations were completely empty. He felt like more of a plot device than an actual character in his own right. In turn, his dynamic with our heroine felt very formulaic and lacking in emotional substance.
Despite this issue, the overall novel was incredible. It's absolutely an instant favorite for me.
Then there's the story itself. The plot starts with Noemí being sent to check on her cousin who sent a cryptic letter. Said cousin lives with her new husband and in-laws in a secluded area. She finds her cousin sick, but cated for while everyone resident of the home is creepy without being overtly hostile enough to come to obvious conclusions about. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is an incredibly gifted author. Her prose flows beautifully, creating such strong visuals. While the story is slow, it felt like the exact right pacing for the plot. It never felt like the story was dragging even as the narrative took its time in unveiling each creepy twist.
My only struggle with this book was the "romance". I put that word in quotes because, despite being an essential part of the climax and resolution, the connection between Noemí and her love interest wasn't well-developed. As wonderfully as Noemí herself was written, the love interest and his motivations were completely empty. He felt like more of a plot device than an actual character in his own right. In turn, his dynamic with our heroine felt very formulaic and lacking in emotional substance.
Despite this issue, the overall novel was incredible. It's absolutely an instant favorite for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Racism, Sexual assault, and Misogyny