This was a really enjoyable read that utilized tropes of gothic literature in ways that really worked for me, and had its own creative moments as well. I wasn't blown away by the prose (or the dialog, for that matter) - but the characters were compelling, the story was engaging, and the setting lived up to the pretty high expectations I was bringing in. A pretty quick read for me. Not sure if my library patrons would go for this one, as it had a little bit of a YA feel (aside from the graphic almost body-horror passages). I'll have to give it some more thought before deciding if this is one I want to buy for my library, but I'd be very happy to do so if I get any requests from patrons.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia can write! Her stories are compelling, impeccably written and full of complex, well-rounded characters. They are also unbearably suspenseful and so engrossing that they are impossible to put down. On the one hand, I wanted to enjoy the descriptions of The High Place, the Manderlay of “Mexican Gothic.” On the other, I needed to find out what was going to happen to Noemí. She’s a socialite from Mexico City. As the novel is set in 1950, she’s expected to marry, even if she dreams of becoming an anthropologist. So her Dad sends her to The High Place to find out what’s going on with her cousin Catalina, who has been sending desperate and very weird letters. When Noemí gets there, she finds that there really is something very strange going on with Catalina’s hubby and his family. Noemí is smart and resourceful, so it’s very easy to like her and root for her. The title is very fitting, as there are long, dark hallways, fog and even a cemetery. Noemí finds it harder and harder to keep her sanity and Moreno-Garcia takes themes and ideas from du Maurier, Poe and Lovecraft, and makes them her own. She has become one of my favorite authors and this is one of my favorite novels this year.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine -Del Rey!

MEXICAN GOTHIC by silvia moreno-garcia took me on a wild trip to High Place, a once beautiful but now deteriorating villa in the mountains on the outskirts of Mexico City. Noemí, a socialite from the city, goes to visit her cousin, Catalina, after receiving a frantic letter from her. Catalina married into the Doyle family, moved into the creepy manor, and has fallen suspiciously ill. Noemí immediately feels uncomfortable the second she steps into High Place - the Doyle’s are far from friendly and the house looks and *feels* like it’s rotting. she starts to have nightmares that quickly intensify and terrifying visions during the day. how is she supposed to help her cousin if she too is starting to lose her grip on reality?

my only qualms were wanting more from Catalina. she felt very two dimensional for the majority of the story, but somewhat redeemed herself towards the end. i also think this would have been equally as captivating without the love story that sometimes felt a little awkward. and finally, i wish there was a little more mexican culture in here - i think there was a pedro infante reference and then doctor camarillo eating his torta, but other than that ???

anyways. i still thoroughly enjoyed this. moreno-garcia is a masterful storyteller. i love books that treat the setting like a character and that’s what shined the most in this incredibly spooky thriller. if you’re a fan of suspenseful family dramas, ghost stories, and shaking ur head and continuously thinking, “wow, white ppl are crazy,” then this book is for you.

This is science fiction written in the feel of an old-fashioned gothic, but I'm not a science fiction fan. The description of the book doesn't indicate science fiction, so I was surprised when it veered in that direction - I wouldn't have selected the novel if I'd known. So to be fair, my opinion of this story isn't relevant - I don't read enough science fiction to say whether this is a good one or not. I didn't care for the plot, but what do I know?

I do think it's fair to say that the writing was a little distracting. I am not sure whether this was originally written in Spanish, but I wondered. There was a feeling something may have been lost in translation as far as sentence structure, word choices, and especially the fact that there wasn't much nuance to the text. ((Note, I did receive an advance copy, so it's possible that the text could be edited before it's published.)

What a wonderful book. It lures the reader in, leaving us guessing and never quite sure of whom of the characters we should trust. Lush, vivid setting and language made this the perfect read. Well done.

This novel has something for everyone. Noemi Taboada is living a privileged life in 1950s Mexico City. She is a young, smart, somewhat sassy socialite with a bit of a Dorothy Parker vibe as she observes the world around her. When her father gets a disturbing letter from her married cousin Catalina, Noemi’s world is about to change. Her father insists that Noemi go to the distressed Catalina and care for her. Noemi pares down her extensive wardrobe and goes into the mountainous mining town where her cousin resides in High Place, her husband’s ancestral home.

High Point is not what Noemi expected. Its worse than DuMaurier’s Manderlay in Rebecca. It has a sense of foreboding like Stephen King’s The Shining. Then throw in the claustrophobia of The Yellow Wallpaper. There are menacing family members, creepy servants, a family “doctor,” and a village curandera. Moreno-Garcia also uses traditional Mexican imagery and folktales gone very dark to build the horror. The author treads a thin line between terror and melodrama and for the most part she succeeds.

This is a scary book that will absorb the reader in terms of descriptions that build upon a constantly evolving frightfulness. Throw in a bit of romance, feminism, survival of the fittest, graphic nightmares, and even eugenics. If it were a movie, you would be saying to the main character – RUN! Recommended.

This book TERRIFIED me!! Silvia Moreno-Garcia has written an absolutely stunning gothic horror novel! Mexican Gothic is a slow-build mystery full of unease and suspense that will keep you on the edge of your seat!

Set in 1950s Mexico, debutante Noemi Taboada is sent to investigate the disturbing claims of her cousin after Noemi’s father receives a letter from her cousin insisting that her new husband is poisoning her. With no real information about her cousin’s handsome new husband or his family, Noemi arrives at High Place, the dark, isolated mansion haunted by a tragic past, where her cousin now lives. Full of silence and secrets, High Place immediately sets Noemi on edge. As she tries to discover the root of her cousin’s strange illness, Noemi unearths a dark secret lurking within the walls of High Place.

Noemi is a delightfully strong, smart, and outspoken protagonist. I was rooting for her throughout the entire book! The gloomy and oppressive atmosphere of High Place and the creepy characters that haunt the mansion halls kept me reading late into the night.

This book is intense, chilling, heart-stopping, and brilliant with just a touch of romance! Gorgeously written, Mexican Gothic left me speechless. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good gothic horror novel and strong female protagonists.

Yes! Everything a reader could possibly ask for in a gothic/horror novel. And, a feminist twist, for good measure. Sooooo good. Highly recommended.

This book was everything I wanted and more. Mexican, Gothic and very eerie. I had some of the weirdest dreams while reading this book and when a book can make me have some creepy dreams i just know its a fav and a 5 star read.

This book is set in the 1950s and Noemí is the main character who goes visit her cousin who has been writing her family strange letters that raises red flags so Noemí goes to see what is going on to see if her father should get involved.

Noemí cousin husbands family is very strange and there are rules to abide by while staying at the High place. the house and family has secrets and Noemí wants to discover them so she stays even when she is told she should go home.

I want to go into more detail but i dont want to ruin the setting or give spoilers

this book is creepy, gives some annihilation and some black mirror vibes. The plot twists and the setting was just everything. i could not put this book down. if you like gothic books and horror this should be added to your list.

It's hard to decide what to say about Mexican Gothic. I enjoyed it, but I think that if I'd known a little more about what to expect, I would have enjoyed it more. The first two thirds of the novel are lush, truly in the style of classic Gothic novels. Set in Mexico City and the Hidalgo silver-mining country, though, the Silvia Moreno-Garcia truly created her own version of the Gothic, and it worked well. I was completely swept up.

Then, two thirds of the way into the novel, it turned into a sort of silly horror story. I wasn't expecting it, and found the disconnect jarring. It's as if Pride and Prejudice turned into Pride and Prejudice and Zombies without me expecting it. I set the book down for a day, but then really did want to find out what would happen.

For readers who know what to expect, and those who can handle the jolt from classic to camp, I recommend Mexican Gothic. I'll be recommending it among my own circle of readers based on which individuals I believe will enjoy the jolt.

Takes a while to get going, but finishes strong. Moreno-Garcia does a fantastic job of creating an extremely creepy atmosphere at the primary setting of High Place, with strong-willed Noemí serving as an ideal central character to all of the unfolding events. Although the pacing is a little slow during the first half, the wait pays off with an exciting climax accompanied by many uniquely weird story details.

There's a lot to like about this book, and I know it will be popular at the library -- gorgeous cover, interesting setting and time period, shades of Rebecca and Jane Eyre. I felt it could have used some more robust editing, as certain chapters (especially in the first half of the book) felt repetitive, and the smart, glamorous heroine never really came alive for me. And then the book took an unexpected turn from "gothic suspense" into "grossout horror." This is where the prose gets really vivid and interesting, but it's not for the faint of heart (or stomach). Several other reviewers mentioned "The Yellow Wall-paper" and I think that comparison is right on.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Noemí travels from Mexico City to a replica English countryside mansion to investigate her cousin’s mysterious letter in this creepily fantastic adult historical fiction.

Set in a decrepit mansion in 1950’s Mexico, Mexican Gothic has the same ambiance of Stephen King’s The Shining and Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House. Vivid and grotesque imagery interwove with fairy tales from around the world pull together a lush and haunted setting. Someone much smarter than I will probably enjoy exploring the juxtaposition between the English estate and the Mexican village.

Noemí is the perfect protagonist to the fantastical. She’s practical and realistic, able to discern something is not quite right at High Place quickly. She’s a detective ferreting out clues from the house, the village, the family. I love that she never dismissed the paranormal as a legit possibility during her investigation. The secondary characters are as vivid as our heroine, each a catalyst – both good and bad – to the situation and setting.

I loved it. Absolutely loved it. Add in an unexpected romance, and it had everything I ever wanted. I’ll be interested to see how others view the romance. I could see some people disliking it, but it worked well for me. I hope those two crazy kids make it.

tl;dr This book delivered for me – I was in the head space for a creepy setting, an interesting plot, and compelling characters and it hits the mark in spades.

Wow. This book blew my mind. It was amazing. The setting, the world-building, the plot, the conclusion-- everything was phenomenal. The book follows a 1950s socialite from Mexico City as she visits her cousin and her new in-laws in an old English mansion nearby an abandoned silver mine. Something creepy is going on, and it is up to our heroine to figure out what is going on without getting entangled herself. It was a delightfully creepy read, and I am so thankful that I was able to read this arc. The plot pacing was perfectly done for a slow-build mystery and the growing sense of dread within an old Gothic mansion kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time. Some content notes to be aware of: Body horror, cannibalism, graphic violence and gore, references to incest, family member and child deaths, sexism and sexual harassment.

Full review to be featured on my Ariel's Arc segment on https://www.armedwithabook.com/ on June 20th, 2020.

This is my third book by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and while Gods of Jade and Shadow remains my favorite, this was a good book.

The main character, Noemi, is a socialite in 1950s Mexico and is an immensely likable character. She’s smart, strong, opinionated, and feels genuine. Noemi’s father receives a letter from her cousin Catalina who has gone off to marry someone that nobody in the family knows well. The man she marries is from an old family that now lives in somewhat of a genteel poverty and relies on Catalina’s money. Catalina sounds like she has lost her mind in the letter, and Noemi’s father asks her to go visit her and check her out, as Catalina’s husband is refusing to let her go to a mental health hospital there.

What is so enjoyable about this book is that it is definitely a homage to other gothic stories (there’s some mentions of Wuthering Heights which Catalina is a big fan of and I also was reminded of The Yellow Wallpaper quite a bit) in a way that immediately makes you be able to visualize things without it overpowering the story, it was still very much its own story. In fact, the story was utterly unpredictable. Catalina’s new home reminds Noemi of Wuthering Heights and I could picture it perfectly, and feel that sense of openness and wildness in surroundings while also being claustrophobic, filled with mist and fog. And it is claustrophobic, Catalina’s new family has a lot of rules, including ones like not being able to talk at dinner time. The family are all so weird, with a complex history and backstory, it was honestly so intriguing to read.

That being said, some of the turns that the story took were too much for me, and I struggled with parts of it. Ultimately, however, I think that this is a good book to pick up if you are in the mood for something eerie but vintage.

Mexican Gothic manages to both be surprising and deliver exactly what it promises. After receiving a concerning letter from her newly married cousin, Noemi Taboada travels to visit Catalina and reassure the family about her welfare. From the moment Noemi arrives, though, it is clear that something is amiss at High Place. The tension continues to build through Garcia’s use of imagery (mushrooms, the family’s ouroboros crest) and a persistent, underlying sense of menace, both sexual and psychological. The novel harkens back to gothic classics (for me it was Rebecca and “The Yellow Wallpaper”) something readers of the genre will probably appreciate as it adds a comfortable touch of familiarity to an unsettling and otherwise wholly original novel. I will admit that I am not completely certain how I feel about the reveals of the book’s final section, having found them both satisfying (particularly the resolutions suggested for characters I had grown attached to and grown to care about) yet somehow not completely so. That does fit with gothic literature, though, and if a book is well-done, perhaps the reader should never feel completely settled.

A book that does it's genre proud with a creepy to die for setting and a character with a very distinct voice. I'll be honest, I wasn't really too keen on it from the beginning but the more I read the more I enjoyed it. I'd probably recommend this to some friends and I rarely recommend books because a lot of people I know aren't big readers. If I recommend it then they know it was something good. Unlike anything I've read before in the best of ways.

4.5 stars.

My favorite part of this novel is hands down Noemí Taboada, our perspective character. I was enamored with her from page one. She is a glamorous socialite that loves flirting and a good party, but she's also clever, determined, and well-studied. She agrees to travel immediately to check on her cousin in exchange for her father lettering her go back to university for anthropology. Her inner monologue was so well written, it felt very authentic especially during scenes where she is conflicted about other characters motivations or intentions. She's starts the book fighting her instincts because social expectation and propriety but slowly allows herself to act impulsively for her own survival and that transition throughout the book is perfect.

Silvia Moreno-Garcia nails the atmosphere in this book which is so important in the horror genre, especially in any take on a "haunted house" story. From the moment Noemí arrives at the mansion she describes a formerly beautiful but now stale and rotting house. She quickly starts having nightmares that are a perfect combination of vivid description and vague feeling. The mystery unfolds slowly and the end of the story is wild. Of course, good horror is always more than just "ooh scary" and Moreno-Garcia accomplishes this by weaving in themes of colonialism, exploitation, racism and eugenics.

Unrelated to the story - this cover is STUNNING.

My only cons for this book are that there is a definite lull in the pacing around 1/3rd of the way through. I believe it coincided with Noemí's first visit to the nearby town. The mood was so far removed from the atmosphere of the mansion that it felt disruptive.

Initial Thoughts:
First of all, I'd like to say, I SCREAMED when I got the notification for this ARC because this was my MOST anticipated arc of 2020 and I didn't realize I even had a chance to get it. Secondly, one of the only good things to come out of this social distancing isolation is that I've had time to pick up my arcs and start reading again. I'm a HUGE fan of gothic stories and I'll admit I'm getting tired of the eurocentric focus most gothic novels have. This book was a fresh and diverse take on a genre I adore. It did get a 5-star rating from me, so my review format will be a little different than the usual since I want to highlight the biggest strengths of the novel.

Atmosphere:
Any writer can tell you that setting up a good atmosphere is important to a book. However, for gothic stories, the atmosphere is VITAL. Readers must be able to picture themselves wandering in the moldy, old mansion and feel the main character's confusion or terror throughout the story. Otherwise, what's the point of walking around a moldy old house?

My point is that Mexican Gothic DELIVERS when it comes to atmosphere and arguably I'd say that it's my favorite element of Garcia-Moreno's writing. As a reader, you feel completely absorbed in the environment, the descriptions are so vivid and creepy; there were many times my skin crawled and I felt like I was the one being watched, even though I was in my own home. Don't you love that feeling when a book is so evocative that you get absorbed in reading it and 3 hours go by, but you haven't even realized it? I sat down at 11 am to read a few chapters of Mexican Gothic and by 2 pm I had finished it and was just sitting there stunned.

Interesting Characters:
I'm a huge fan of writers taking the pretty girl/party girl character and making them the hero of the story. As the leading lady of the story, Noemí quickly wins you over with her smarts and charm. She smokes, drinks and gambles, everything a "good lady" shouldn't do… I love her so much. While the story itself does focus on this terrifying house, there's a deeper discussion of society's expectations of women and the story explores how Noemí uses the power she does have to flaunt these expectations. It's an interesting dynamic and you will LOVE watching Noemí defy the rules to save her cousin.

Another character that proved far more interesting than I initially expected was Noemí's cousin, Catalina. She plays the role of the damsel in distress convincingly but she was far more clever then I realized, Catalina is 100% that bitch. The other characters in the story were hard to root for because they all seemed to have ulterior motives. So half of my reading experience was me trying to figure out who could be trusted, which added to the suspense of the story.

The Plot:
The story itself was paced incredibly well. When the story got slow, it was to draw out a spooky scene or a dream sequence and it added to the atmosphere of the story. In regards to the plot in general, I LOVED it. My favorite gothic trope is the decaying house and the dysfunctional family living in it (listen we're not going to analyze too closely why I like this trope I just do).

The twists the plot took me through were INTENSE and I could predict a few but some still took me by surprise. When an author writes a story and I can guess the twist, I'm satisfied because that means it was a logical progression. However, when I can guess a plot twist and then the author throws one more I didn't even see coming… That's the good stuff. Looking back now, I realize that there was plenty of foreshadowing, I just didn't know at the time; it's one of those books I'm going to buy and re-read because I want to savor it and catch all the little things I missed.

Incredibly Gothic:
Technically, Mexican Gothic checks off almost every box that a "classic" Gothic book should have. Was I reading this to check off a list? No. However, as more crazy things started happening it occurred to me that this story includes almost all the elements of a classic Gothic story. There's a gloomy and decaying atmosphere, an unreliable narrator, supernatural occurrences and brooding characters. It was so perfect dreamy sigh and yet there was also some intense body horror, cannibalism, and incest, so if any of that squicks you out just beware.
Despite some of the intense events happening, they all were vital to the plot. Nothing was there as a shock factor, each event helped move the story along. I reveled in the creepiness of the story. Each terrifying dream sequence and shadowy figure had me wide-eyed and curling up closer into my blankets for safety. I don't know how many times I can state that this book was just the best in every way. It's taken the spot of #1 in my 2020 favorites shelf, I'm not sure if anything else will be able to top it.

Commentary on Eugenics Movement:
If you're familiar with Silvia Moreno-Garcia's works, you know she likes to add commentary on relevant issues throughout her novels. In this novel, the family living in the mansion is obsessed with genealogy and family bloodlines, to the point where the patriarch makes multiple racist comments towards the main character, who is Hispanic. It gets increasingly disturbing as they obsess more over her bloodline and begin explaining that even though she isn't "ideal" they think she's strong enough to marry into the family to "supplement their bloodline". However as the book nears its end, it becomes apparent that this family is weak because of this obsession and it gives Naomí room to use this weakness against them and emerge victoriously.
It's a common trope in Gothic literature, especially Southern Gothic literature, to see racism and sexism intersect in a story. So I will say, I was so happy to have Silvia Moreno-Garcia take charge and write a book that subverted both of those tropes by having a woman of color save the day and torch White supremacy at the same time. Iconic.

A creeping gothic fairy tale meets the slow dread of unfolding suspense. This book made me swoon! I would recommend reading at night if you really want to scare yourself...but if you are like me...you'll be too obsessed with the story to stop yourself from reading in the daylight. I absolutely devoured this book.

I've read a lot of gothic fiction and even taken a few gothic literature classes, and this book surpassed all my (very high) expectations. I can see this book being assigned in courses in the place of classics like The Haunting of Hill House or Rebecca. Mexican Gothic elevates the gothic genre to a whole new level.