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A review by redthistle
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I am not someone to typically reads books in the horror genre, however, I do love gothic literature and decided to dip a toe this spooky season with Mexican Gothic.
Overall I very much enjoyed reading this book. This book hits all the right notes for a gothic novel with an eerie house full of secrets, an old money family that isn't quite right, and a bright and go getting outsider willing to do what it takes to save her cousin from a terrible fate.
I thought the atmosphere that was built throughout the novel was beautiful and haunting. It kept me reading and captivated me from start to finish.
I loved Noemà as a main character. She was intelligent, loyal, and brave in the face of true horror and her perspective was delightful and easy to step into.
Some spoilers on my thoughts about the horror elements of this story and what the most horrifying element was for me.
I thought the device of the mycelium as the vehicle for the horror of the house and its family was clever and interesting. I had a feeling early on, with the foreshadowing of Francis' love of mushrooms, that the mold was going to be what was causing people in the house to have hallucinations.
I think for me though the true horror that turned my stomach laced through the entire novel was the power the men held over women. Stripping away the body horror and the magical mushrooms you are left with a reality all too many women know. Men who take what they want and care not for the people they step on and break in the process. The constant threat of sexual violence that Noemà was under the entire time had my stomach turning and me cringing. Not to mention the Doyle women who were all used and abused to the point of their children being eaten and their bodies being used as mulch to create more mushrooms for the men to exploit. This element of the story was, for me, the most horrifying and unsettling.
For me, a major factor whether I like a scary story is in the ending. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending of this book. It left me very satisfied and if you like gothic literature (and make sure to check the content warning since this is a horror) I recommend you give this book a try.
Overall I very much enjoyed reading this book. This book hits all the right notes for a gothic novel with an eerie house full of secrets, an old money family that isn't quite right, and a bright and go getting outsider willing to do what it takes to save her cousin from a terrible fate.
I thought the atmosphere that was built throughout the novel was beautiful and haunting. It kept me reading and captivated me from start to finish.
I loved Noemà as a main character. She was intelligent, loyal, and brave in the face of true horror and her perspective was delightful and easy to step into.
Some spoilers on my thoughts about the horror elements of this story and what the most horrifying element was for me.
I think for me though the true horror that turned my stomach laced through the entire novel was the power the men held over women. Stripping away the body horror and the magical mushrooms you are left with a reality all too many women know. Men who take what they want and care not for the people they step on and break in the process. The constant threat of sexual violence that Noemà was under the entire time had my stomach turning and me cringing. Not to mention the Doyle women who were all used and abused to the point of their children being eaten and their bodies being used as mulch to create more mushrooms for the men to exploit. This element of the story was, for me, the most horrifying and unsettling.
For me, a major factor whether I like a scary story is in the ending. I was pleasantly surprised by the ending of this book. It left me very satisfied and if you like gothic literature (and make sure to check the content warning since this is a horror) I recommend you give this book a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gore, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Colonisation, Confinement, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
The theme of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape runs very heavily through this book and could be upsetting to those with trauma stemming from these topics.