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Member Reviews

This book club kit is a wonderfully atmospheric companion to Mexican Gothic, offering a thoughtful mix of context, creativity, and conversation starters that made our discussion even more engaging.

The author letter was a standout—personal and insightful, giving us a sense of the story’s inspiration and tone. The discussion questions were well-crafted, touching on major themes like colonialism, gender, and horror without being too academic, which allowed for a lively and accessible conversation.

We loved the inclusion of the playlist, which set the perfect mood for reading or meeting, and the background on Real del Monte provided valuable historical context that grounded the novel’s eerie setting in real-world history. The article on Gothic romances evolving into domestic noir added a fascinating layer of literary analysis, great for readers interested in genre.

The Noemí Taboada paper doll activity was a fun and unexpected touch—especially for fans who appreciated the strong aesthetic and fashion elements in the novel. It was a creative way to celebrate the character’s bold personality and style.

Overall, this is a rich, immersive kit that deepens appreciation for the novel and provides a memorable experience for any book group. Highly recommended for fans of gothic fiction and readers looking for more than just discussion prompts.

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Was new to Netgalley at the time I requested this. Did not realize this was only the book club kit. Have not read the book and therefore not able to meaningfully review the bookclub kit.

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I, a fool, thought i was getting the novel The Mexican Gothic and didn't read the fine print that this was a book club kit. That being said, I am in fact reading this novel for a book club so it was a happy accident to discover this resource. It included thoughtful discussion questions to spark deeper conversation (not just surface-level stuff), a playlist of music to accompany the book, information about the book's inspiration, a Noemi paper DOLL! omg yes please. The formatting of the copy I recieved on kindle was a little wonky, but I'm not really holding that against the resource.

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Thank you so much to Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Penguin Random House, and NetGalley for the opportunity to check out this book club kit for Mexican Gothic. I loved the book and would be thrilled to share with my book club. There's discussion questions, a letter from the author, and even a paper doll of Noemi that is so cute! I loved the extras. These book club kits help facilitate great discussions. Thank you again!

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Wasn't sure what to expect going into this book but I ended up loving it! I have heard lots about this and I'm glad i finally got around to reading it

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-This discussion questions were though-provoking and open-ended. Perfect for a book club setting.
-The playlist is a nice option for book club party-planning purposes and can help transport the book club into the mindset of the author and the novel.
-The historical information about the genre was interesting and added to the meaning of the novel experience.
-I liked the paper dolls. They were a fun/different addition to this book club kit.

-It would have been useful to have thematic food/drink selections to go with the activity and questions for book club groups.

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This is honestly one of the best book club guides that i've seen as someone who hosts and organizes a book club! I loved that it provided a lot of background information on the setting as well as gothic literature, and the playlist which all really solidify the visuals of the book in the reader's mind. I read this book a while back but the guide really brought me back to the pages, and I also really appreciated the visuals of the outfits and family seal. The questions were pretty straightforward, but I appreciated the exclusion of overly robust questions, or questions that seem off topic/"grasping at straws". I've seen a lot of those questions in other book club kits and they get skipped by hosts like me :) All in all this is a great resource and i wish more books had as strong of a book club companion that i could use with my group!

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I believe that this is the 3rd book I've read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and I quite enjoyed it. When I first saw it on NetGalley, I knew I wanted it but when I began to read it I realized that it wasn't what I thought I'd requested. So, I put it back and decided to peruse it later; however, I did skim through it at that time.

Fast forward a few years...I've bought books before just dying to read them only to keep procrastinating. I'm so sorry to the author and NetGalley that I did that with this book...MY bad! The Book Club Kit did spark my interest because I read it prior to reading the book this time. It had questions that I felt were introductory to spark interest. I like reading questions prior to a book to help me look for specific points. First, the kit gives background information on British mining interests established a widespread presence in Mexico's mining sector. So there are a few pages of background info that help the reader understand what's happening in the book. She also goes into ghosts as well as the development of the genre of Gothic Romances in her section titled "How Gothic Romances Became Domestic Noirs."(loc. 65).

Ms. Moreno-Garcia doesn't just focus on the historical aspects or at least not of the above nature. She employs the use of paper dolls to help create fun for the reader/club/friends getting together to discuss, etc. I think this section would be especially appealing to teens who like doing activities or a lesson in which the teacher could use the section to introduce fashions talked about in the book and even have them do their own visuals as a project. The MC is wealthy and has good fashion sense, so her outfits are talked about in the book. There are four outfits that each come with a quote from the book: Ballgown, Suit and Calotte Hat, Kickpleat Skirt& Fitted Sweater, and a Nightgown with Peignoir. One example: "She looked at it curiously as she adjusted her teal calotte hat with the long yellow feather..." (loc. 120).

I am one of those readers who doesn't mind a slower start as long as something interests me and that was the case with Mexican Gothic. A slower pace but it held my interest and hooked me. Set in High Place, a house near an old mine, it is considered the "town' where people do not leave once they go there. High House is personified and one could consider it a main character as it has a life of its own. It takes real talent to pull off what Ms. Moreno Garcia has with High Place.

Honestly, I'm not too big on horror as in gory details, etc. but the creep factor in the plot and the bizarre, uncanny and offbeat characters pulled me in and never lost me.

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Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a chilling, atmospheric novel set in 1950s Mexico. With eerie gothic elements and rich cultural themes, it’s a gripping tale of mystery, horror, and female strength.

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Mexican Gothic is a gothic horror novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. It centers on a young woman investigating her cousin's claims that her husband is trying to murder her. This Book Club Kit is an excellent resource for this book! It includes discussion questions that provokes discussions and a Q&A with the author

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This feels like such a well-done and completi book club kit, can't wait to use it for my club next month!

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This is such a cute resource for book clubs! I especially loved the paper dolls and the playlist to go along with the book. Very aesthetic and I can’t wait to use this resource with my book clubs!

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Such a great bonus kit. Love getting more background to go along with the book. Playlist are always so much especially because I typically pair reading with music. The print out paper doll was also a great addition. I would love to see maybe a printable bookmark that matches the books aesthetic.

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I’m planning to do a reread of Mexican Gothic while eagerly awaiting the release of the Bewitching. So when I stumbled upon this book kit I was super excited. I love the discussion questions and historical context from the author. Also, the last section with the outfits is so fun and cute and informative!

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Absolutely loved how this book presented guided questions that would stimulate conversation within a club but also after reading the book as an individual. Highly recommend to anyone who read and enjoyed the book, whether part of a club or not.

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Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic is a mesmerizing blend of gothic horror and historical fiction that grips readers with its eerie atmosphere and slow-burning suspense. The novel follows Noemí Taboada, a glamorous socialite who is summoned to the decaying High Place estate in rural Mexico to check on her cousin, Catalina, after receiving a frantic letter. What begins as a simple visit quickly turns into a nightmarish descent into madness, as Noemí uncovers the sinister secrets lurking within the house and its inhabitants.

Moreno-Garcia masterfully builds tension, crafting a setting that feels alive with its oppressive gloom and sinister whispers. The novel’s themes of colonialism, power, and resistance add depth to its haunting narrative, making it more than just a horror story. While its pacing starts slowly, the payoff is spectacular, rewarding patient readers with disturbing revelations and a gripping conclusion.

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This is perhaps the most perfect book club kit that I have seen. I had just expected a list of questions but this offers so much more. There are thought provoking questions, playlists and so much more. My favorite are the outfits. All in all a fun book club kit!

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I thought this was the original book, but it was only a Book Club Kit. I bet this would be handy if you have one!

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I still need to read the book, sorry I didn’t realized the book was not included. I will update when I use this for the book review.

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Lots of interesting background info about the town where "Mexican Gothic" is taking place and also about Gothic novels in general. The playlist really encapsulates the vibe of the book, and the dress-up doll in the end of the book kit was super fun while also being informative as well!

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