Mexican Gothic
by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
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Description
After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemi Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She's not sure what she will find--her cousin's husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemi knows little about the region. Noemi is also an unlikely rescuer: She's a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur show more sleuthing. But she's also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not 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 Noemi; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi'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 Noemi, 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 Noemi digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Recommendations
TooBusyReading Both involve some horror and creepiness, but I like The Changeling more than I liked Mexican Gothic.
21
Heather39 Fungal horror.
Horishny95 I enjoyed Mexican Gothic very much. Would recommend this for those who like revenge.
LAKobow Gothic mystery set in a huge estate with a young female protagonist. Sketchy familial relationships and magic abound.
Member Reviews
Sometimes, I walk into a building and think, 'That's a perfect example of a (pick your architectural style of choice) structure.' and I take pleasure in the building for its perfection, regardless of whether it's an art nouveau garage, a Georgian townhouse or a gothic cathedral. It's the perfection of the form that counts. Of course, my pleasure is increased if the building also contains something that gives me a reason to visit it, preferably something that complements or contrasts with its architectural style: an art nouveau garage transformed into a gourmet food hall or a gothic cathedral gilded with a son et lumière display.
My pleasure in 'Mexican Gothic' was like that. It first won my admiration because it's a perfect example of a show more gothic novel, with deeply disturbing dread seeping out of the shadows and slowly drowning your sanity in fear. The pace and tone are perfectly controlled and the fact that the form is familiar increases rather than lessens its power.
We have the once-grand now-decaying gothic mansion that quickly becomes an external sign of the corruption of the family who owns it. We have a clever, bold, fashionable young woman who sparkles in the bright lights of1950s Mexico City finding herself in the gloomy mist of the remote mountains where her cousin seems to have become mentally unstable. We have an unwelcoming family, certain of the superiority of their Anglo blood that their commitment to eugenics has preserved and a dark secret and a threat of violence housed in a brittle shell of formal hospitality, like the smell of rot from a beautiful but fractured sarcophagus.
My pleasure was increased by the modern twists in the story that cast the gothic structure of the tale in a new light, deepening rather than diminishing its menace. Noemi, our young heroine, is a rational woman and not easily frightened. When she is confronted with the strange she looks not to superstition but to science. She is knowledgeable about chemistry and deeply antagonistic to the pseudo-science of the eugenicists. She is proud of her heritage and unbowed by Anglo condescension. She does not trust easily but she will not abandon her cousin or fail in the mission her father gave her. All these things made me want to cheer for her yet none of them was enough to help her withstand the gothic threat swallowing her whole. She remained a woman alone, prey to manipulation and abuse. Her rational curiosity served mainly to increase her vulnerability rather than to evade her fate. In the end, she had to do what any gothic heroine must do, fight for her life.
'Mexican Gothic' was a very pleasurable read. It kept me nodding with approval at the expected and grinning at the surprising additions. The tension was real and unrelieved. I loved that the rational explanation, when it came, was fundamentally creepy and not at all the one I had been expecting.
The only false note for me was the final chapter, which was a little too neat and too optimistic. For me, it didn't fit with the rest of the novel. It could have been omitted and the reader would have lost nothing.
Frankie Corzo does a great job in narrating the audiobook. Click on the SoundCloud link below to hear a sample.
https://soundcloud.com/penguin-audio/mexican-gothic-by-silvia show less
An excellent book, surprising because most books I hear a buzz about don’t enthral me as well as this one did. Reviews on the cover include a recommendation to fans of books like Rebecca and that’s accurate. This is definitely gothic rather than visceral horror, though the situation Noemi Taboada finds herself in is horrible and even horrific. One particular kiss in the book will have everyone gagging. There’s an element of women coming under abuse, sexual and otherwise, but such is the truth in fact and fiction and is perfectly authentic to the plot, of which the author perfectly laid the stepping stones. I didn’t guess the family secret because it’s such an unusual dark mystery. I liked Noemi’s rebellious and tenacity; any show more weaknesses she shows fits in perfectly with the setting. Well-written and atmospheric, I enjoyed this book far more than I expected to. This is the first time I’ve heard of this author, though I see she has more books published, which I may well check out. show less
A worrisome letter from her cousin Catalina brings Noemí to a remote place called „High Place“. Only a year ago, Catalina married Virgil Doyle and moved with him in the mansion close to a former mine where the British family made a fortune. Even though it is 1950, there is still no electricity in the house and Noemí feels like being in a British novel of the 19th century. Her cousin is in an awful state, not only physically, but also mentally and she does not only rely on the medication of the family doctor but also got some tincture from a local healer. Strange rules make it difficult for Noemí to adapt to life in the house and it does not take too long until she herself feels that something strange is going on in there. She has show more very lively nightmares and cannot get rid of the impression that the walls are talking to her. Is she also going mad like Catalina?
Quite often you open a novel and while reading you have the impression that the title and the plot do hardly have any connection. In Silvia Moreno-Garcia‘s book „Mexican Gothic“, however, the title perfectly announces what you will get: a wonderful Gothic horror story in the style of the 18th and 19th century. A spooky old mansion in a remote place without any available help close by, a mysterious cemetery whose inhabitants seem to wander about, nightmares, terror and morbidity accomplish it.
Noemí is presented as an educated yet a bit shallow young woman who cares more about partying and having fun than worrying about her family. Therefore, she only reluctantly follows her father‘s orders to put an eye on Catalina‘s situation. When she arrives at High Place, she continues her slightly contemptuous behaviour towards the Dolye family. Only after having talked to Catalina is she moved a bit and willing to help her cousin. Her stubbornness prevents her from being absorbed by the strange activities in the house.
Soon, however, the fine line between reality and insanity becomes more and more blurry, not only is neither the protagonist nor the reader sure if Noemí‘s dreams are only very vivid or if there are frightening things under way. And then, the horror show really begins.
I totally adored how the author gradually drags the young woman and the reader into this story which oscillates between fascinations and abhorrence. Even though you are well aware that most of what happens cannot be real, it is easy to imagine that in such an old house, ghosts could roam and walls could talk. A magnificent read which transports you to a time long gone and a world where much more is possible. show less
Quite often you open a novel and while reading you have the impression that the title and the plot do hardly have any connection. In Silvia Moreno-Garcia‘s book „Mexican Gothic“, however, the title perfectly announces what you will get: a wonderful Gothic horror story in the style of the 18th and 19th century. A spooky old mansion in a remote place without any available help close by, a mysterious cemetery whose inhabitants seem to wander about, nightmares, terror and morbidity accomplish it.
Noemí is presented as an educated yet a bit shallow young woman who cares more about partying and having fun than worrying about her family. Therefore, she only reluctantly follows her father‘s orders to put an eye on Catalina‘s situation. When she arrives at High Place, she continues her slightly contemptuous behaviour towards the Dolye family. Only after having talked to Catalina is she moved a bit and willing to help her cousin. Her stubbornness prevents her from being absorbed by the strange activities in the house.
Soon, however, the fine line between reality and insanity becomes more and more blurry, not only is neither the protagonist nor the reader sure if Noemí‘s dreams are only very vivid or if there are frightening things under way. And then, the horror show really begins.
I totally adored how the author gradually drags the young woman and the reader into this story which oscillates between fascinations and abhorrence. Even though you are well aware that most of what happens cannot be real, it is easy to imagine that in such an old house, ghosts could roam and walls could talk. A magnificent read which transports you to a time long gone and a world where much more is possible. show less
A lush and atmospheric novel that masterfully blends familiar horror tropes with a breathtakingly unique macabre vision.
Noemi is a carefree and intelligent heiress content to attend lavish social events and toy with men. But her father has a job for her - discovering what ails her recently married sister before their family name is put a risk.
So she must leave the glittering night life of Mexico City behind and journal far into the country where her sister, Catalina, has been sequestered in a the gloomy family estate of her husband. Noemi instantly takes a dislike to her in-laws and they to her. The house is gloomy, crumbly and apparently haunted.
Catalina is also clearly not well but the family doctor is patronizing and vague. show more Something suspicious is going on in this house and though the family seems to despise the sisters, they are equally committed to ensuring they remain within the dark confines of the house.
This book captivated me from the first pages. The author's voice is so clear and compelling, she is a master storyteller who instantly earned my trust. The conceit at the center of this novel, the unanticipated monster at the heart of the house took me completely by surprise (although its reveal had been seeded throughout the book) and delighted me beyond words. I can't wait to read the rest of this author's books. show less
Noemi is a carefree and intelligent heiress content to attend lavish social events and toy with men. But her father has a job for her - discovering what ails her recently married sister before their family name is put a risk.
So she must leave the glittering night life of Mexico City behind and journal far into the country where her sister, Catalina, has been sequestered in a the gloomy family estate of her husband. Noemi instantly takes a dislike to her in-laws and they to her. The house is gloomy, crumbly and apparently haunted.
Catalina is also clearly not well but the family doctor is patronizing and vague. show more Something suspicious is going on in this house and though the family seems to despise the sisters, they are equally committed to ensuring they remain within the dark confines of the house.
This book captivated me from the first pages. The author's voice is so clear and compelling, she is a master storyteller who instantly earned my trust. The conceit at the center of this novel, the unanticipated monster at the heart of the house took me completely by surprise (although its reveal had been seeded throughout the book) and delighted me beyond words. I can't wait to read the rest of this author's books. show less
I’ve had Mexican Gothic on my TBR for some time now, and with each new work published by this prolific author I kept promising myself that I would read this one and move on toward her other novels, but you know how it goes between bookworms and their TBRs… It’s thanks to this year’s Word & Wonder that I finally “dusted off” the book from the virtual shelf: sometimes all we need is a little push!
Noemì Taboada is a young woman living in Mexico City and flitting between social engagements and more serious academic pursuits: she’s smart and very determined under her frivolous appearance, and that’s one of the reasons her father asks her to travel toward the fairly remote area where her older cousin Catalina went to live show more after marrying a handsome Englishman on the heels of a whirlwind courtship. The senior Taboada received a letter from Catalina in which his niece accused her husband of poisoning her, and also spoke of ghosts and of being a virtual prisoner: Noemì will need to find out if there is any substance to these accusations - which are expressed in a way that raises some doubts about the new bride’s mental stability - and eventually provide whatever help Catalina needs.
Noemì’s arrival at High Place, the isolated mansion built by Catalina’s new family, the Doyles, is far from auspicious: the house is clearly in disrepair, the Doyles’ welcome is far from warm, and the surrounding area - once the site of a now-closed silver mine - speaks of neglect and… something more ominous. Noemì finds herself dealing with the too-brief, heavily supervised encounters with an ailing Catalina, the strict rules imposed by the family (like total silence at dinnertime) and the disturbing vibes coming both from her cousin’s husband, Virgil, and the family patriarch Howard; what’s more, she starts suffering from vivid, nightmarish dreams featuring the house itself and encumbered by a sense of impending doom. The only potential ally for Noemì seems to be Francis, Virgil’s younger cousin, but the boy is also too enmeshed in the family’s secrets to be entirely dependable, and any information she gathers about the Doyles and their past serves only to increase Noemì’s dread, until the situation evolves into actual, inescapable danger…
I am of two minds about Mexican Gothic: on one hand I enjoyed the slow buildup of tension and the evocative atmosphere, the almost Lovecraftian suggestions offered by the story and the unhurriedly unfolding mystery that worked well in compelling me to keep reading until far into the night; on the other hand, however, once the revelations start to come, the novel takes on a far more grisly tone that offsets the previous atmospheric horror with grotesque touches, and to me this new tone felt out of place with what had come before.
What I liked: of course Noemì - she is an engaging character, only ostensibly concerned with fashion and appearance, but in reality quite solid and fearless, holding her own against the coldly creepy members of the Doyle family. The unsettling manifestations in her dreams and the pervasive rot and decay of the house do little to wreck her determination and the only moment when she’s truly afraid comes from the realization that she might lose independence and agency, because the loss of her power of choice is the most horrific condition she can think of - and that’s the perfect measure of the person she is.
The setting is also wonderfully drawn: first High Place, the Doyles’ house, a place of rotting wallpaper, barred windows and almost no creature comforts like hot water or constant electricity - the descriptions of the shadows created by candles and oil lamps, the only reliable source of illumination, help reinforce the sense of dread that hits the reader, and of course Noemì, from the very start. The isolation and the closeness to a graveyard, which is more often than not shrouded in impenetrable mists, add to that feeling and enhance the cloying sense of dismay that stands at the roots of the unfolding events. And then there is the constant presence of the mushrooms, which play an important - and creepy - role in the economy of the story…
And lastly, the nearby village, which shows all the signs of abandonment typical of a mining town well past its better days, where people struggle to eke out what meager life they can, burdened by a past of exploitation and disregards for rights, mixed with barely disguised racial inequality: there is a scene in which Noemì enters a small shop and observes the proprietor’s broken glasses, which is quite emblematic of the villagers’ conditions.
Sadly, once the mystery surrounding High Place is revealed, the tone of carefully orchestrated apprehension turns almost abruptly into over-the-top body horror whose lack of subtlety obtained the opposite of its intentions, at least for me, because instead of being scared by the descriptions I found them bordering on the ludicrous. Even the menacing evil that came off in waves from Virgil and his father, which until that moment had engaged in leering innuendo, lost its threatening impact to turn them into something closer to maniacally laughing, mustache twirling villains that looked more caricatural than dangerous. Not even the final portion of the novel, with its adrenaline-infused scenes and hellish battle for survival managed to offset my disappointment at the revelation of the Doyles’ century-long secrets, which I found more repugnant than shocking.
Still, I consider Mexican Gothic a mostly solid story (if I can overlook the above slip into excess…) and I am certainly not discouraged by pursuing my journey into Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s other works. show less
Noemì Taboada is a young woman living in Mexico City and flitting between social engagements and more serious academic pursuits: she’s smart and very determined under her frivolous appearance, and that’s one of the reasons her father asks her to travel toward the fairly remote area where her older cousin Catalina went to live show more after marrying a handsome Englishman on the heels of a whirlwind courtship. The senior Taboada received a letter from Catalina in which his niece accused her husband of poisoning her, and also spoke of ghosts and of being a virtual prisoner: Noemì will need to find out if there is any substance to these accusations - which are expressed in a way that raises some doubts about the new bride’s mental stability - and eventually provide whatever help Catalina needs.
Noemì’s arrival at High Place, the isolated mansion built by Catalina’s new family, the Doyles, is far from auspicious: the house is clearly in disrepair, the Doyles’ welcome is far from warm, and the surrounding area - once the site of a now-closed silver mine - speaks of neglect and… something more ominous. Noemì finds herself dealing with the too-brief, heavily supervised encounters with an ailing Catalina, the strict rules imposed by the family (like total silence at dinnertime) and the disturbing vibes coming both from her cousin’s husband, Virgil, and the family patriarch Howard; what’s more, she starts suffering from vivid, nightmarish dreams featuring the house itself and encumbered by a sense of impending doom. The only potential ally for Noemì seems to be Francis, Virgil’s younger cousin, but the boy is also too enmeshed in the family’s secrets to be entirely dependable, and any information she gathers about the Doyles and their past serves only to increase Noemì’s dread, until the situation evolves into actual, inescapable danger…
I am of two minds about Mexican Gothic: on one hand I enjoyed the slow buildup of tension and the evocative atmosphere, the almost Lovecraftian suggestions offered by the story and the unhurriedly unfolding mystery that worked well in compelling me to keep reading until far into the night; on the other hand, however, once the revelations start to come, the novel takes on a far more grisly tone that offsets the previous atmospheric horror with grotesque touches, and to me this new tone felt out of place with what had come before.
What I liked: of course Noemì - she is an engaging character, only ostensibly concerned with fashion and appearance, but in reality quite solid and fearless, holding her own against the coldly creepy members of the Doyle family. The unsettling manifestations in her dreams and the pervasive rot and decay of the house do little to wreck her determination and the only moment when she’s truly afraid comes from the realization that she might lose independence and agency, because the loss of her power of choice is the most horrific condition she can think of - and that’s the perfect measure of the person she is.
The setting is also wonderfully drawn: first High Place, the Doyles’ house, a place of rotting wallpaper, barred windows and almost no creature comforts like hot water or constant electricity - the descriptions of the shadows created by candles and oil lamps, the only reliable source of illumination, help reinforce the sense of dread that hits the reader, and of course Noemì, from the very start. The isolation and the closeness to a graveyard, which is more often than not shrouded in impenetrable mists, add to that feeling and enhance the cloying sense of dismay that stands at the roots of the unfolding events. And then there is the constant presence of the mushrooms, which play an important - and creepy - role in the economy of the story…
And lastly, the nearby village, which shows all the signs of abandonment typical of a mining town well past its better days, where people struggle to eke out what meager life they can, burdened by a past of exploitation and disregards for rights, mixed with barely disguised racial inequality: there is a scene in which Noemì enters a small shop and observes the proprietor’s broken glasses, which is quite emblematic of the villagers’ conditions.
Sadly, once the mystery surrounding High Place is revealed, the tone of carefully orchestrated apprehension turns almost abruptly into over-the-top body horror whose lack of subtlety obtained the opposite of its intentions, at least for me, because instead of being scared by the descriptions I found them bordering on the ludicrous. Even the menacing evil that came off in waves from Virgil and his father, which until that moment had engaged in leering innuendo, lost its threatening impact to turn them into something closer to maniacally laughing, mustache twirling villains that looked more caricatural than dangerous. Not even the final portion of the novel, with its adrenaline-infused scenes and hellish battle for survival managed to offset my disappointment at the revelation of the Doyles’ century-long secrets, which I found more repugnant than shocking.
Still, I consider Mexican Gothic a mostly solid story (if I can overlook the above slip into excess…) and I am certainly not discouraged by pursuing my journey into Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s other works. show less
Creepy and atmospheric. I really enjoyed this take on the possessed house trope. Very reminiscent of 'The Lair of the White Worm' by Bram Stoker, at least in substance, if not in style. In fact, in my opinion, the style here is better than Stoker. Moreno-Garcia's explanation for the evil manifestations, while admittedly far-fetched, is also coherent, believable, and consistent within the context of the story. No hand-waving of cause and effect; all is explained in the end, and horrifyingly so. The plot reveals come along a little at a time and at just the right pace to keep the tension building towards a satisfying climax. Done right, this would make a great horror movie or mini-series. And by 'done right' I mean if the gore is toned show more down and the suspense is cranked to the maximum. If Hitchcock were alive, he would be a great candidate to do this justice in film. show less
Noemi is a young socialite in Mexico City, the life of a party, and the daughter of the well-to-do Toboada family. Her father, receiving a strange letter from Noemi's cousin, Catalina, sends her to find out what's wrong with her cousin and see if she can help her. But when she arrives, Catalina's husband and his extended family barely let Noemi see her cousin. They're tight-lipped and have lots of house rules. And then Noemi starts having nightmares and sleepwalking, too.
Deliciously creepy without being too graphic until the end, by which time I was invested in the characters and wanted to know the house's mysteries. If you enjoy Gothic tales like [Rebecca], this would be an excellent readalike. I guarantee you won't quite look at show more mushrooms the same way again. show less
Deliciously creepy without being too graphic until the end, by which time I was invested in the characters and wanted to know the house's mysteries. If you enjoy Gothic tales like [Rebecca], this would be an excellent readalike. I guarantee you won't quite look at show more mushrooms the same way again. show less
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Author Information
69+ Works 20,087 Members
Some Editions
Awards and Honors
Awards
Distinctions
Notable Lists
Work Relationships
Has as a reference guide/companion
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Mexican Gothic
- Original title
- Mexican Gothic
- Original publication date
- 2020-06-30
- People/Characters
- Noemí Taboada; Catalina Doyle; Virgil Doyle; Francis Doyle; Howard Doyle; Florence Doyle (show all 9); Dr. Camarillo; Dr. Cummins; Noemi's Father
- Important places
- El Triunfo, Mexico; Mexico City, Mexico
- Dedication
- Para mi madre
- First words
- The parties at the Tuñóns' house always ended unquestionably late, and since the hosts enjoyed costume parties in particular, it was not unusual to see Chinas Poblanas with their folkloric skirts and ribbons in their hair a... (show all)rrive in the company of a harlequin or a cowboy.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)When he looked at her again his face was filled with such an extraordinary gladness, and the third time she kissed him it was for love.
- Blurbers
- LaValle, Victor; Choo, Yangsze; Gailey, Sarah; Anders, Charlie Jane; Cleeton, Chanel; Lyons, Jenn (show all 9); Harrow, Alix E.; Hackwith, A. J.; Littlewood, Alison
- Original language
- English
- Canonical DDC/MDS
- 813.6
- Canonical LCC
- PR9199.4.M656174
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Statistics
- Members
- 7,282
- Popularity
- 1,593
- Reviews
- 312
- Rating
- (3.70)
- Languages
- 9 — English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Turkish, Portuguese (Portugal)
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 33
- ASINs
- 12