This book was wild. I’m still not sure what to think of it. It wasn’t bad by any means

The beginning was a little slow then there was a lot happening. After the twist was revealed I wasn’t as interested in how they solve the issue. I liked Francis as a character with some complexity. The rest of the Doyle family gave me the Ick and I think that was the point. The author did a good job characterizing the Doyle family

as vile and disgusting. You have eating babies, multiple incestuous relationships, attempted rape, fungi that increase life span, using bodies as fertilizer, hallucinations. It was a wild ride

.

I don’t think the book was bad I just think it was mysterious, then the mystery was revealed and shocking and everything else was just fine.

This was a well written book, but it made me queasy, which I suppose could show that it was well done. I came into this pretty blind, and did not expect where it was going. The resolution seemed a little rushed, but overall it was a good gothic story. 

Read this for book club not knowing what to expect. 
There is definitely a great atmosphere to this book. I had dreams specifically about the dread and mystery in this book while reading it. Overall, it's got a decent plot. Is Noemi's cousin insane? Is the house really haunted? Is there more to the story of High Place?
We get all the answers. I personally didn't like the answer to the great mystery but it isn't my book lol. I had two theories as to what it was straight away and one of them was relatively close to the author's chosen path. This is a medium paced book with a SLOW BURN! This book is primarily atmosphere with just a tiny bit of action. The action is ALL at the end. The main character is VERY shallow and not loveable at all but she does want to help her cousin and at least she has a relatable desire to help someone she loves. 

I had an enjoyable time reading this book. Dark houses are always a good setting for me. Noemí was such a strong female MC. She and Francis’s budding friendship throughout the story was sweet and felt well developed. The cover is beautiful, a little haunting with the dark red dress and wilting flowers.

I think as for the horror/thriller aspect, I wanted more. I think it was a little too slow going to introduce the darker elements of the house and characters. The dreams may have thrown off the effect.

I thought they were just dreams for much of the book.

Overall, I did like the book and enjoyed reading it. I could absolutely see this as a movie. 

Title: Mexican Gothic
Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Genre: Gothic Horror
Rating: 3.00
Pub Date: June 30, 2020

T H R E E • W O R D S

Edgy • Atmospheric • Creative

📖 S Y N O P S I S

When her father receives a frantic letter from his niece begging someone to save her, he enlists Noemi's help, sending her to High Place in the Mexican countryside. Trading her glamourous lifestyle for amateur sleuthing, Noemi doesn't know what to expect when she arrives. She certainly isn't afraid: not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemí’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.

💭 T H O U G H T S

Of course, I'd seen and heard all of the hype surrounding Mexican Gothic when it was originally published a few years ago. Honestly, I had no interest in picking it up until it landed on the 2023 Canada Reads shortlist. Even then, I was hesitant as it's not a genre I gravitate towards. In my opinion, it was a rather odd pick for the shortlist. Nonetheless one of my reading goals each year is to read all five contenders ahead of the debates, so I decided to give it a go. I was pleasantly surprised until I got about two-thirds of the way through and it took such a disturbing turn and lost me.

What I like:
• the writing. The writing is phenomenal. So engrossing. So cinematic. So mysterious. So atmospheric.
• the house. The house is its own character and I cannot recall ever reading one quite like this. In addition, the historic setting helped create an unsettling feeling that something wasn't quite right.
• the beginning. Through the first 50%, I was pleasantly surprised and entertained by the narrative. There was more tension and mystery building that anything else.
• the audio. The audio is very well done, and adds an extra layer to the atmosphere.

What I didn't like:
• the second half. The plot started getting weirder and weirder (when it didn't need to). There was significantly more gore and grotesque subject matter. And the story lost me at this point. I don't even think it needed to go the places it when in order to be successful. In fact, I think it would have been better if it hadn't gone that route at all.
• the pacing. The pacing felt extremely slow to begin with (which I was fine with), and yet somehow when I got to the strange twist it felt like it came out of nowhere and the pacing shifted gears to the point it felt rushed.
• the twist. Ugh. It felt unnecessary. And some of the scenes where incredibly unsettling to the point I don't even think they served the story at all. It left me with an icky feeling (which is probably the point), but I read to enjoy myself and it just wasn't enjoyable at all.

Overall, Mexican Gothic is an incredibly creative and disturbing story set in an old house and filled with family secrets. There are certainly some underlying social commentaries on racism and colonialism, but I didn't necessarily find the novel overly thought-provoking or perspective shifting in that regard. In fact, I think it went places it didn't need to go simply to add shock value. It's quite clear I am not the intended audience,, but if gothic horror is your thing than you'll probably love this book.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like secluded settings
• fans of haunted houses

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"After all, nothing in this place was what it seemed."

"The future, she thought, could no be predicted, and the shape of things could not be divined." 

This book was so incredible as an audio book. 
Haunting of Hill House meets The Invitation (movie) but add body horror.
I waited til the hype died down because I was very skeptical. I also read this without much background info!
I thoroughly enjoyed the eire writing style and details. I wouldn’t say it was gothic style. Noemí was a character I immediately felt intrigued by. This book is set in 1950s Mexico and Noemí receives a frantic scattered letter from her newly wed cousin. Upon her arrival to the house where her cousin is, she begins to experience things that make her question reality.
The house itself was the star. Last portion of the book kept me on my toes, I was second guessing my suspicions. It had me on edge; in the best way. 

There are some heavy Content warnings: 
Sexual assault, body horror, cannibalism, incest, suicidal thoughts, murder, drugging
There was discussion of racism, colonization and classism