Review: Mexican Gothic

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a fascinating, unique breed of creepy.

I mean, a haunted house is nothing particularly new, but there's something about the way this one delivers that had me constantly shuddering.

Super, super creepy.

The story is set in a derelict mansion on a hill. Noemi has been sent there to check on her cousin, Catalina, who has been ill, and sent a rather troubling letter about how there are ghosts in the house and her husband is trying to poison her. Naturally, things get weird.

First up, it's set in 1950, but it definitely gives off some Victorian vibes. The house has limited electricity and it's a huge part of the atmosphere - along with the mold growing everywhere, cracked and crumbling walls, and a distinct lack of music or merriment. Catalina's husband and his family are decidedly odd - the patriarch of the family, Howard Doyle, is an ogre with some interesting ideas about 'breeding', while the husband himself, Virgil, is all sly smiles and malicious glares. Florence is the strict homemaker who has no time for Noemi, but her son, Francis, does provide a small glimpse at comfort. He's still a bit weird, but he's the most normal of the bunch so Noemi has a little more time for him.

The characters are brilliantly done, and they fit the story so well. Naturally, there are a lot of secrets surrounding this odd family, and it's all brilliantly contrasted by Noemi the socialite, who is more used to dancing, flirting, and generally doing what she wants (provided these things are acceptable for a woman). There is a fascinating conflict between this family with its strict rules and Noemi's stubbornness and strong will, but there's also the overarching sexism that is a fact of Noemi's existence that she doesn't particularly agree with.

The atmosphere of malice seeps into every page and the story becomes horrifying without ever really understanding why. I really enjoyed the complicated relationship between Noemi and Virgil, and then the spark of hope that Francis presented. There are some fascinating dynamics and looming over it all is this ancient mansion with so many secrets trapped within the walls.

I loved the way the story unravelled and enjoyed the foreboding of the whole thing. It just leaves you with a gut feeling that things are not going to end well so it's quite a ride watching it all play out.

Really enjoyed it! I can see why it's getting all the hype. Totally deserved, in my opinion.

Thanks to my friends from HA for the buddy read :)

View all my reviews