Mexican Gothic | Book Review

by Rebecca Holland

Book Reviews, Gothic Horror | 3 August, 2020


About the Book

Title: Mexican Gothic
Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Publisher
: Del Rey / Jo Fletcher Books 
Genre/themes: Fiction, Gothic Horror
Release Date: 30 June 2020
Series? No. Standalone. 
Book-length: Medium
Accolades: NYT Bestseller List, Book of the Month July

Noemi Taboada is a twenty-two year old glamorous socialite who agrees to visit her cousin, Catalina, after a letter claiming that Catalina’s husband, the mysterious Virgil Doyle, is trying to poison her. Set in 1950’s Mexico against the backdrop of a crumbling, old mansion, Noemi attempts to investigate Catalina’s illness under the watchful eye of the Doyle family, and perhaps, even the house itself…

Keep reading for book extras like a free excerpt of the book to exciting adaptation news!


The Review 

I adore tense stories. I loved Daphne du Maurier’s, “Rebecca”, so I jumped at the chance to read and review an advance copy of gothic horror Mexican Gothic. It was provided by the publisher, Jo Fletcher Books, via the book review site Netgalley. It promised tension, and let me tell you, it delivered.

Mexican Gothic is a sumptuous gothic horror with serious style and bite. Set in 1950’s Mexico against a backdrop of the misty Hidalgo mountains, the crumbling old mansion High Place has a personality of its own. Lit by candles and full of silver from the mines, it’s a foreboding and ugly house that oozes nightmarish hallucinations. Moreover, when paired with a cemetery “with a romantic aura” you have one memorable haunted house.

This is Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s first horror novel. Similarly to filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, she was inspired by the Mexican horror films director Carlos Enrique Taboada. Best known for his supernatural, horror and suspense films including award-winning Poison for the Fairies. Mexican Gothic’s heroine, Noemi Taboada’s surname is a homage to the filmmaker.

I adored Noemi who is a strong-willed, flighty, stubborn heroine reminiscent of Holly Golightly. There’s a delightful contrast between Noemi and her romantic cousin Catalina that is striking, like night and day. The romance element, that is typical of gothic horror, is rooted in the guy who treats women badly – think Rochester in Wuthering Heights – but women in gothic literature somehow find them sexy and appealing. Even though they, logically, may be repulsive.

The supporting characters, the Doyle family, fit this eerie and unnerving house like a glove. From the ancient and mysterious Howard to enigmatic Virgil, strict Florence and shy Francis. They feed the dark undertones during Noemi’s stay. Imposing silent meals and sinister discussions on eugenics – selective breeding – while Noemi wears glamorous evening attire and speaks her mind in rebellion. Above all, this is a fiercely feminist novel. Think Lovecraft meets the Brontes.

Mexican folklore and culture are woven throughout the story, like the party-goers wearing Chinas Poblanas traditional Mexican clothing – in the opening chapter. Similarly, Catalina references old fairytale stories and the house itself flesh out the narrative. I was immersed in the layers upon layers of divine tension. Gothic fans, eat your heart out.

Mexican Gothic is an opulent eldritch fantasy that terrified, repulsed and delighted me. It also inspired a something-is-in-my-room nightmare. I simply adored it. Silvia Moreno-Garcia said that Mexican Gothic is for the “trashy but classy reader”.

I couldn’t have said it better myself.


About the Author  
Picture of author Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Silvia Moreno-Garcia is the best-selling author of the novels Mexican Gothic, Gods of Jade and Shadow, Certain Dark Things, Untamed Shore, and others. She has also edited several anthologies, including the World Fantasy Award-winning She Walks in Shadows.

Visit her website, or follow her on Twitter.

People should read more horror. We don’t give horror enough respect..

Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Goodreads

And, The Book Extras…
  • Read a free excerpt of Mexican Gothic at Oprah Mag.
  • Hulu has optioned Mexican Gothic and will be developing it into a series! Read more about it at Entertainment Weekly.
  • The author has released a free book club kit! These resources can accompany your reading and include a curated spotify playlist, book club discussion questions, history on the real Del monte and a dress-up paper Noemi doll. Get the Book Club kit.
Mexican Gothic playlist on Spotify
Mexican Gothic playlist on Spotify

If you liked this review, consider subscribing to the Velvet Opus newsletter. You’ll get book reviews like this direct to your inbox.


Leave a Reply

7 responses to “Mexican Gothic | Book Review

  1. Rin

    As soon as I read this book, I knew it was up your alley! Thanks for linking the book club kit. I had no idea she released one and I adore all the tidbits.

  2. Parbriz

    Great blog! Do you have any suggestions for aspiring writers?
    I’m hoping to start my own blog soon but I’m a little
    lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform
    like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that
    I’m totally confused .. Any recommendations? Thanks
    a lot!

  3. This sounds like another great book! I like books that take place during different eras, bonus points for different countries in other eras, so this one ticks those boxes for me. Adding to goodreads 🙂

  4. Corisa

    Great review! I didn’t know the fact about Noemi’s name. How interesting!

    I really enjoyed this story. I loved the horror aspect and the way the author weaves in bits of Mexican folklore and history. She did this in Gods of Jade and Shadow also, which is one of my favorites. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!