Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia


Mexican Gothic by Silva Moreno-Garcia, first published in 2020 by Jo Fletcher Books.

This is a traditional Gothic book, with a large twist of Mexican history and culture. It is set in the 1950s and the main character, Noemí is a fun-loving girl. She likes to party, but she also has a good brain in her head and is studying anthropology. The story begins when she is called, prematurely, from a fancy dress party in Mexico City by her father. He has received a disturbing letter from his niece, Catalina, who believes her new husband is trying to poison her. He wants Noemí to investigate, so she sets off to High Place, a remote English-style mansion on a hill, near a small village. The family there are not happy to see her, telling her Catalina is ill, but the family doctor is treating her. 

Catalina's husband,Virgil, fits the mould of a Gothic villain; his cousin, Florence, could put the strictest Mother Superior to shame; and Virgil's repulsive father, Howard, is evil incarnate. The only member of the family Noemί can look to for help is Florence's son, Francis. A strange young man, caught in the family's fatalistic web.

In good Gothic fashion, the family has a dark history and the house contains secrets of unnatural events. There are silver mines, murder, mental illness, herbal medicines and mushrooms.

This book is far from Gothic-by-numbers, though. What sets the book apart is its Mexican content. The book seamlessly fits the history, folklore and culture of Mexico into the story. The history runs from the War of Independence in the early nineteenth century, through the Porfiriato, to the Mexican Revolution in the twentieth century. People like the folk heroine China Poblanas, an Asian woman who was brought to Mexico as a slave, but later became revered as a holy woman and the writer and educationalist José Vasconcelos are mentioned. Noemí wishes to buy Loteria cards - a Mexican board game, although she has to settle for naipes - Spanish playing cards.

Noemí only rarely loses her joie de vivre, which contrasts with the family and the gloom at High Place. There is a satisfying ending, making it a very enjoyable read.


            Gothic rating:

            isolated setting                                    🕱

            brooding atmosphere                          🕱

            mental illness                                      🕱

            religious reference                              🕱                       

            supernatural element                          🕱

            murder                                               🕱

            family secret                                       🕱                   

            genius/madness

            doomed love                                        🕱


Mexican Gothic receives a gothic rating of        🕱🕱🕱🕱🕱🕱🕱🕱



 

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