NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “It’s Lovecraft meets the Brontës in Latin America, and after a slow-burn start Mexican Gothic gets seriously weird.”—The Guardian IN DEVELOPMENT AS A HULU ORIGINAL LIMITED SERIES PRODUCED BY KELLY RIPA AND MARK CONSUELOS • WINNER OF THE LOCUS AWARD • NOMINATED FOR THE BRAM STOKER AWARD • NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New Yorker • Vanity Fair • NPR • … THE YEAR BY The New Yorker • Vanity Fair • NPR • The Washington Post • Tordotcom • Marie Claire • Vox • Mashable • Men’s Health • Library Journal • Book Riot • LibraryReads
An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets. . . . From the author of Gods of Jade and Shadow comes “a terrifying twist on classic gothic horror” (Kirkus Reviews) set in glamorous 1950s Mexico.
After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemí Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find—her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemí knows little about the region.
Noemí is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chic gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemí; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.
Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemí, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. For there are many secrets behind the walls of High Place. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemí digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.
And Noemí, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.
“It’s as if a supernatural power compels us to turn the pages of the gripping Mexican Gothic.”—The Washington Post
“Mexican Gothic is the perfect summer horror read, and marks Moreno-Garcia with her hypnotic and engaging prose as one of the genre’s most exciting talents.”—Nerdist
“A period thriller as rich in suspense as it is in lush ’50s atmosphere.”—Entertainment Weekly
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An interesting story by book’s end, despite the slow beginning. The characters are unique and three dimensional, although some are better developed than others, and the descriptions in the book occasionally border on flowery, but not to the point of distraction. Overall, a dark, creepy, very weird adult story — perfect for anyone who appreciates gothic horror.
The perfect read leading up to Halloween! This book has a wonderful Bram Stoker vibe. The mysteries and horrors of High Place are so intriguing, and Noemi’s character arc is beautifully sculpted as she goes from socialite to butt-kicking monster hunter. I would definitely recommend this.
The author, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, skillfully translates the elements of Gothic fiction into a Mexican setting. Compulsively readable and wonderfully noir.
Is it Edgar Allen Poe? Is it Stephen King? Is it “Rebecca”? It’s all of these and so much more. It’s 1950’sand a beautiful fun living Mexico city debutante is sent by her father to a isolated castle to check the welfare of a beloved cousin. Recently married, the cousin’s letters from High Place are strange, to say the least. The following story presents terrific characters, scary settings, a house of silence, and innumerable strange rules. True to a Gothic novel, it’s a “do not miss”. And you’ll never eat mushrooms again.
Worth Reading:
Mexican Gothic is a living story, full of adventure.
Readers who prefer to discover their adventure at a romantic level, may find peace of mind and notice what happened to Catalina as she stick on why her husband was interested to poison her and why ghost are walking from wall to wall to kill her – this was a scaring moment to her.
The Mexican Gothic await good readers to discover the deepest emotions in Catalina’s life…!
I like magical realism, but this book did not seem to bridge the gap because reality and fantasy. The symbolism is there in many of the comparisons, but it did not demand that I read on. I did finish the book because I wanted to see if the author was going to throw in a surprising ending. She did not.
Boring. Would not recommend this book.
Entertaining but very predictable; non challenging language
This was a page-turner from the beginning. However, about 3/4 of the way through, it went weird. I like a realistic story that I can identify with.
Book Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (2020) (Gothic Fantasy Fiction) (YA) (Adult)
4 Stars ****
From slow and boring to yuck. This story brings new meaning to “Your body is mine.” You’ll never look at a mushroom the same way. It’s so hard to discuss this book and critique it without giving away the plot points. If you love ooey-gooey horror films, then you’ll love this book. This would make a great horror movie, so film makers be prepared.
Set in the Mexico of 1950, beautiful, vivacious, rebellious twenty-two year old Noemi is on a mission to check up on her newly-wed cousin Catalina. Noemi’s father sends his much trusted daughter to investigate the story behind the disturbing letter Carolina sent to her uncle describing hauntings, spirits, voices, moving walls, creeping mold, repulsive odors, and all sorts of weird events. Carolina is obviously imagining all of this. Or is she?
Gentle, sweet Carolina lives in a remote Gothic mansion with her handsome, charming husband, his rule-with-an-iron-fist father, his stern aunt, and her meek son Francis who is caught between a rock and a hard place. Three strange servants tend to their needs. This is one strange family with a lot of even stranger rules: no smoking, no smiling, no talking during dinner, no telephone, no electricity, no hot water baths, no car rides, no socializing, contact with the outside world or private conversations.
Carolina spends all of her time in her room alternating sleep, confusion, and occasional lucidity. Her conversations with Noemi are often vague and perplexing. Carolina is not entirely honest which adds to Noemi’s dilemma. Noemi’s spunk and natural optimism are wearing thin.
Noemi now has some disconcerting dreams and experiences. Reality and illusion cannot be separated. Are all of her cousin’s in-laws plotting her destruction? Or is it something else? Does the house carry its own curse? Does it have a mind of its own? Or maybe not. Are they all hapless victims? What is going on in this place?
We’re now near the end where the author’s description of Noemi’s experience will make you want to puke. Each of the five senses was used to describe a scene of abomination. I believe this was the most sickening horror description I have ever read. Everything but the kitchen sink was thrown in. Sounds good? Then you’ll love this book. The problem is that it’s a long, almost uneventful road to the end.
Boring and tedious.
I wish I could give this book a better rating because it was beautifully written. Unfortunately, the story was inane. Halfway through I couldn’t keep track of who/how characters were related. And the reason for all the craziness is just so unbelievable.
I’ve been excited about this book ever since I saw the absolutely stunning cover. The story more than lives up to the promise! It’s dark and eerie and downright glorious. Noemí is an unforgettable gothic heroine and I loved how she handled each new complication and challenge that came her way. I was cheering by the end of the story! If you love gothic horror, unexpectedly badass heroines, and a house that is as much a character as the people who move through the pages, this is for you!
Stylish and sinister… a gothic masterpiece.
Darkly brilliant and captivating… Readers who love old houses and family secrets will devour this book (as I did!). The setting itself — High Place, with its reputation for swallowing the dreams of young women — is a character in this marvelously fantastical novel, stretching from glamorous 1950s Mexican high society to the crumbling pride of an abandoned silver mine. Silvia Moreno-Garcia enthralls with this twisty tale of love and betrayal.
An intense, beautiful monster of a novel… Moreno-Garcia’s gothic plot is as sharp as a razor and twice as dangerous.
So powerful I sometimes had to look away… plays all the classic Gothic tropes with deft confidence while weaving in a much more modern and visceral strain of horror.
Lovely… reminded me of the old Mary Stewart romance mysteries mixed with a healthy dose of Lovecraftian horror. Moreno-Garcia is a master.
Brilliant, beautiful, gripping, a necessary read.
A luscious, sensuous take on a haunted house novel that will effortlessly wrap you in its spell. I loved it.