Skip to main content

Member Reviews

What a brilliant idea to have a book club kit. After reading the book it’s wonderful to have further insights from the author, explaining her inspiration for the book and it’s themes. For someone who loves clothes, the paper dolls with dresses are an absolute delight!

Was this review helpful?

I requested this Book Club Kit for virtual book club's discussion of Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Everyone really enjoyed the historical background and insight provided in the Letter from the Author, as well as the Spotify playlist; the playlist really reflected the atmosphere of the book. Additionally, the discussion questions were fun and engaging. However, Dress Up Noemi activity at the end was a little lost on our group since we are virtual and it seemed like an activity for a young audience; we found this strange because the audience for Mexican Gothic should definitely be 18+ as there are several trigger warnings. We did enjoy seeing the outfits that Noemi would have worn during that time period, however. I think what would have added to the kit would be drawings of the different mushrooms described in the book and some additional background on them, since that was a large focus in the book. Overall, we enjoyed using this kit as a tool to further engage in our book club discussion.

Was this review helpful?

This book club kit is so fun. All the author insight and history is really great. But that playlist is bomb.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this kit! it was helpful to have it out while reading the book. The doll set was super cute too! The resources helped us during book club discussion too!

Was this review helpful?

MEXICAN GOTHIC BY SILVIA MORENO-GARCIA
Publisher: Del Rey
Includes a Book Club Kit PDF

This book set in Mexico in the 1950s and described as “Lovecraft meets the Brontës" by The Guardian is a New York Times Bestseller and rightly so! The story is a good old dose of Gothic gaslighting as we follow Noemi, a young woman looking into her cousin's claims that her husband is trying to murder her. Moreno-Garcia's writing has been compared
to Daphne Du Maurier and Guillermo del Toro -high praise indeed and makes this book is a must-read.

The Bookclub kit is stunning! No book club will be the same again.
You will find inside Insightful author notes that delve into the genre of modern gothic and why she chose Mexico as the novel setting. Glorious cut out paper dolls you can dress in an array of 50's fashions and a music playlist that is quite incredible. ‘Black Walls’ and ‘Shadow’ by the Chromatics, ‘The Killing Moon’ by Echo and The Bunnymen, ‘Shadow Play’ by Joy Division and ‘Tell Me Where it Hurts’ by Garbage. Please, someone, make the movie and do yourself a serious favour and download this author's amazing musical taste playlist on Spotify.

Miranda Y, Reviewer. 5 stars

Was this review helpful?

I LOVE this book club kit! It is full of not only discussion questions but a music playlist and actual paper dolls that you can print out! Each outfit comes with information about the different fashion trends of the era. It also has a letter and extra writings from the author including one entitled: How Gothic Romances Become Domestic Noirs. This would make a book club meeting really fun and educational if you were reading Mexican Gothic together!

Was this review helpful?

After previously having read this really provides a good set for a book club. It would really nice to have this if you are looking to have this book as your next read.

Was this review helpful?

At first I did believe this was the book but upon opening I realized it’s not.
I still really enjoyed going through it, and will definitely resort back to it whilst reading the actual book.
This contains thought provoking questions, a playlist that will transport you straight into the book (and I 100% will be listening to it) as well as the outfits in the book (which has to be my favorite).

Was this review helpful?

This review is for the Book Kit, not the actual book itself. The questions are certainly intriguing, thought provoking and well written. Based on the discussion questions, I am interested in reading the book, even though from it's description it is a bit beyond my normal reading choices.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this information as a way to preview and possibly purchase an interesting book.

Was this review helpful?

I did not realise this was not the actual book. So therefore I cannot review this as this is a book club kit/discussion points.

Was this review helpful?

I plan on reading this book very soon &, as most book club kits, has helped me ge some insight on what the story touches as well as how much will i relate to this book as a latinamerican woman myself. I like how they gave some resources to interact more deeply with the story & a little fun t be had if i were to suggest it for my book club,

Was this review helpful?

"Mexican Gothic" is the first book i read by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and it was so so good.
Even if the beginning was just a little slow, after a few pages, the action just hit me. This book turned out to be more intelligent and goric that i thought it will be.
Naomi is a little spoiled and a little brat, but in the new circumstances, she changes kinda fast and i started to like her a lot.
The Doyle family was just awful, such a creepy and mean family (i do get that this was their point though). Everytime one of them spoke, i was imagining their ugly breath and empty eyes, ugh. But they are made so so good, i can see why you just can't like them. They are racist, they have many problems and secrets, and sometimes, they made me feel so anxious. They are easy to hate and they deserve it.
Francis was the only one from this family that i could fell for. He is going through so many things and he just accept them. I am still sad for him.

With every page, this book turned out creepier and creepier, which i really loved. The plot-twist, the memories, the secrets, the vibe of the house was just perfect. I feel i could reread this one when it's October and it's raining.

Was this review helpful?

Loved all the historical facts included and thought the questions were very insightful. My favourite part was definitely the outfits, they were so beautiful!

Was this review helpful?

Love the book club kit! My book club is getting ready to read Mexican Gothic and this will definitely help us!

Was this review helpful?

The Book Club Kit for Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic was a valuable resource. Short and easy to sort through, it was filled with historical information, book discussion questions, and some great and fun add ons like a music playlist (which I loved), tidbits about the fashions of the era, and even some paper dolls.

Was this review helpful?

N/A - this wasn't the book and is my error. Will not leave an unfair review until I read the book. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Was this review helpful?

I am looking forward to read the book, I think this is a great addition to the book to my understanding.
It found the explanation really interesting!

Was this review helpful?

This was an awesome addition after reading Mexican Gothic. Real excited to dive into the playlist if I am to do reread. I got together with my reading friends right after this download to discuss the topics and ask some questions.
The inspiration and details brings so much more to the book and makes me more appreciative of it.

Thanks NG for this tool!

Was this review helpful?

I loved the atmosphere of gothic horror mixed with dark Victorian fantasy. The entire plot is very well written and the suspense that the author created mixing everyday situations with a supernatural horror caught my attention. I really liked the characters too. I recommend reading!

Was this review helpful?

This book had a slow start, but the buildup was worth it, as the action (when it starts) starts at breakneck speed and moves along quite quickly to the inexorable finish. Shades of Lovecraft mixed with Crimson Peak.

Was this review helpful?