You know that feeling when you wake up from a nightmare, heart pounding, not quite sure what’s real? That’s the vibe Silvia Moreno-Garcia captures so perfectly in “Mexican Gothic.” This book, my friends, is a fever dream wrapped in velvet and dripping with menace. It’s the kind of story that seeps into your bones, leaving you deliciously unsettled long after you’ve turned the last page.
Set in 1950s Mexico, “Mexican Gothic” takes us on a wild ride with Noemí Taboada, a glamorous socialite who finds herself thrust into a moldering mansion filled with secrets, lies, and some seriously creepy mushrooms. Trust me, you’ll never look at fungi the same way again.
A Heroine to Root For (Pun Intended)
Let’s talk about Noemí for a sec. She’s not your typical Gothic heroine, all trembling and wide-eyed. Nope, our girl struts into High Place rocking killer dresses and armed with a sharp tongue. She’s smart, she’s stubborn, and she’s not about to let a bunch of pasty English colonizers push her around.
Moreno-Garcia gives us a protagonist who feels refreshingly modern while still fitting into the 1950s setting. Noemí might be obsessed with her lipstick, but she’s also dreaming of getting a master’s degree in anthropology. She’s complex, flawed, and utterly captivating. I found myself cheering her on as she navigated the twists and turns of High Place’s mysteries.
Welcome to High Place: Where the Vibes are Bad and the Wallpaper is Worse
Oh boy, High Place. This house is a character unto itself, and it’s got some serious issues. Moreno-Garcia’s descriptions are so vivid you can practically smell the mold and feel the damp seeping into your clothes. It’s the kind of place where the shadows seem to move when you’re not looking, and every creak of a floorboard sets your nerves on edge.
The Doyle family, who inhabits High Place, is a special breed of awful. There’s Howard, the decrepit patriarch, with his eugenics obsession. Florence, the ice-queen aunt who’d probably murder you for using the wrong fork. And then there’s Virgil, who… well, let’s just say he gives off some serious Heathcliff-meets-serial-killer energy.
A Slow Burn That Erupts into Fungal Horror
“Mexican Gothic” starts off as a fairly traditional Gothic mystery. There are family secrets, strange noises in the night, and a general sense of “get out of that house, girl!” But then… things take a turn. A delightfully bizarre, deeply unsettling turn involving hallucinogenic mushrooms, body horror, and some truly nightmarish visions.
Moreno-Garcia balances the slow-building tension of the first half with an absolutely bonkers finale that had me alternately gasping and cringing. It’s not for the faint of heart, but if you can stomach it, the payoff is incredible.
Colonialism, Corruption, and Really Bad Fungi
Beneath the supernatural horror, “Mexican Gothic” has some serious things to say about colonialism, racism, and the exploitation of indigenous people. The Doyle family represents the worst of British imperialism, clinging to their “superior” bloodline while literally feeding off the land and people around them.
Moreno-Garcia doesn’t hit you over the head with these themes, but they add a layer of real-world horror to the supernatural elements. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most monstrous things are entirely human.
A Fresh Take on Classic Tropes
If you’re a fan of Gothic literature, you’ll have fun spotting all the classic elements Moreno-Garcia plays with. There’s the innocent heroine, the crumbling mansion, the family with dark secrets… But she twists these familiar tropes in new and exciting ways.
The Mexican setting adds a fresh perspective to a genre that’s traditionally very Anglo-centric. And Noemí’s 1950s sensibilities clash wonderfully with the Doyles’ Victorian-era mindset, creating some delicious culture clash moments.
Comparisons and Contrasts
“Mexican Gothic” fits nicely alongside other recent works that blend horror with social commentary, like “Get Out” or “The Haunting of Bly Manor.” It also reminded me a bit of Guillermo del Toro’s “Crimson Peak” in its lush visuals and slowly unraveling family secrets.
If you’ve read Moreno-Garcia’s other work, you know she’s a chameleon. “Mexican Gothic” is a departure from her noir-inspired “Untamed Shore” or the Jazz Age fantasy of “Gods of Jade and Shadow.” But her talent for vivid worldbuilding and complex characters shines through in every genre she tackles.
A Few Nitpicks (But Nothing Major)
Look, I loved this book. But in the interest of a balanced review, I’ll admit there were a couple of tiny things that didn’t quite land for me. The pacing in the middle section dragged a tad, and I would have liked a bit more development of some of the side characters.
And fair warning: if you’re squeamish about body horror or fungal imagery, parts of this book might be a bit much. Moreno-Garcia doesn’t shy away from the ick factor in the later chapters.
Final Thoughts: A Mycological Masterpiece
“Mexican Gothic” is the literary equivalent of that rollercoaster you’re a little afraid to ride, but end up loving. It’s creepy, it’s thought-provoking, and it’s ridiculously entertaining. Moreno-Garcia has crafted a story that feels both classic and utterly modern, with a heroine you can’t help but root for (sorry, I can’t resist a good mushroom pun).
If you’re in the mood for a book that’ll keep you up at night—both because you can’t stop reading and because you’re too freaked out to sleep—”Mexican Gothic” is the perfect choice. Just maybe don’t read it right before bed… or your next mushroom-foraging expedition.
Who Should Read This Book?
- Fans of Gothic literature looking for a fresh twist on the genre
- Horror enthusiasts who like their scares with a side of social commentary
- Anyone who enjoyed “The Haunting of Hill House” or “Rebecca”
- Readers interested in exploring beyond the typical Anglo-centric Gothic tales
- People who aren’t easily grossed out by fungal imagery (seriously, I can’t stress this enough)
Who Should Maybe Skip It?
- If you’re looking for a light, breezy read (this ain’t it, chief)
- Readers who prefer their horror subtle and psychological rather than visceral
- Anyone with a severe mushroom phobia (you know who you are)
The Verdict
“Mexican Gothic” is a wild, unsettling ride that’ll have you checking your walls for suspicious mold growth. Silvia Moreno-Garcia has delivered a modern classic that manages to honor the Gothic tradition while subverting it in thrilling ways. It’s the kind of book that lingers with you, like spores in the air, ready to bloom into deliciously dark thoughts when you least expect it.
So go ahead, crack open “Mexican Gothic.” Just don’t blame me if you start eyeing that leftover mushroom pizza suspiciously.
