In a decadent, decaying manor, high above the rural town of El Triunfo, lives a strange English family. The year is 1950 and the mines the Doyles came to exploit have been in disrepair for decades, but still, the standoffish brood remains isolated a top the hill. Noemí Taboada, a socialite from Mexico City, is an unwelcome visitor. Having received a chilling letter from her cousin Catalina, who recently married into the Doyle family, Noemí arrives at High Place concerned for her wellbeing. The Doyles claim that Catalina is ill with tuberculosis and experiencing feverish delusions, but they are suspiciously controlling and prevent Noemí from spending more than a few minutes with Catalina at a time. As the days drag on, Noemí clashes with the family and feels increasingly powerless to help her cousin. When she starts having disturbing visions of her own, Noemí becomes even more desperate to sort things out and depart. But things get a whole lot weirder before the dark reality of Catalina’s illness and the house’s horrific secrets are finally revealed.

Mexican Gothic combines Latin American magic realism and historical suspense with mystery, horror, and a hint of romance. The narrative is told in third person. The beginning mostly details the dreary aspects of life at High Place. But then a series of abnormal events occur, and bizarre supernatural circumstances ultimately bring the story to a head.

This book is full of beautifully crafted depictions of unsettling things that freaked me out to the point of sleeping with the lights on. It might not be the best read for those who prefer a faster paced novel, but the writing is so atmospheric that I personally found even the instances of monotony engrossing. I did not so enjoy the most grotesque horrors, but I’m a wimp and I get sleep paralysis so I’m surprised I even picked this story up… still, no regrets.

Although most of the cast is unlikeable, I was rather fond of the main character. Capable, clever, outspoken, and flirty, Noemí is a strong heroine, but not in a stereotypical way. People underestimate her, but she challenges the standards that say to be feminine is to be weak and that a woman who fancies fashion and fun is just silly or slutty or shallow. As the author has pointed out, we don’t see many Mexican characters portrayed as anything other than maids and laborers in spite of the different socio-economic classes that exist. But Noemí comes from a degree of privilege, and her position also helps embolden her in dealing with the Doyles.

At the start, it seems like the Doyles all have relatively flat personalities. But what lies beneath the family’s austere demeanor is a sadistic ruthlessness. Shy, kind Francis is the only one with any redeemable qualities. Despite being raised up in a household of white supremacists with misplaced humanity, he does not see the world their way or behave like the rest of them. He stays passive far too long, but abuse is all he’s ever known, and it’s important to recognize how hard such things can be to escape.

In terms of messaging, Mexican Gothic contrasts the use of old gothic tropes with a modern discourse on the state of the world, broaching issues like colonialism, racism, and eugenics. The setting makes use of a less referenced part of Mexico's history. And while examining the limits of a woman’s autonomy in 1950s Mexico, the narrative also touches upon the violations women have faced across the world for millennia. I just wish it didn’t depend on repeated descriptions of sexual harassment and assault to get its point across. Certain parts felt a bit excessive to me and I’m not sure all of the graphic content was necessary.

The only other thing I wish was different is the exploration of Catalina’s character. I would’ve liked her to play a bigger role in the story, seeing as she was the whole reason Noemi ended up at High Place.

What a novel! The amount of horror, intrigue, and mystery filled in these 300 pages is a wonder. Never in my life have I read something so creepy and even disgusting at times while being so enthralled and unable to put it down. I loved every word. Moreno-Garcia really gives us her all - her incredible voice moves the story along and brings life to every character. Highly recommend this book, especially during spooky season. 

what the fuck

I'm so glad that this was recommended to me instead of looking at the GR rating because...what are y'all talking about.

I haven't read a good gothic horror in AGES, and I'm thrilled that this managed to be bone-chilling without being cliche. I know I said this about Gods of Jade and Shadow but now I'm really just positive that Moreno-Garcia's hallmark is giving her MC's such a strong narrative voice, I never feel out of the loop. Both Cassiopea and Noemí are so compelling (for different reasons obviously).

Now to the fun bits- this was so spectacularly creepy! I much enjoy this kind of slow-creep thriller, where you know definitively that something just isn't right and can't wait to put together the pieces while simultaneously dreading the knowledge. I'm not even going to tag this as spoilers because there was no way on earth I could've guessed the twists and where the plot ended up. I spent most of the last hundred or so pages just muttering "what the hell what the hell" to myself under my breath like a chant because honestly? What the hell.

Great, complex, and hideous characters abound? Nice. Making a Victorian gothic aesthetic work in a rural Mexican setting? Double nice. Batshit horror elements that made me gasp out loud? Jackpot.

I'm normally loathe to say this kind of thing, but immediately upon finishing this my first thought was: "so when is this getting a script treatment??"