<<< Don’t know what to read next? Welcome to the Bibliophile Book Review Series, where I share the books I’m currently reading. Find out what the book is about and discover if it is a good fit for you! Today’s review is on a fiction gothic novel entitled “Mexican Gothic”, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. >>>
Mexican Gothic is a novel full of intrigue and mystery that leaves the reader hooked all the way through. This charming story mixes a vibrant Mexican culture with an old English gothic style in such a way that will enthrall you from cover to cover. It’s a great book for anyone who loves a little touch of the mystic in their stories.
What is this book about?
This story follows a young girl named Noemi Taboada, a clever girl with a vibrant style of living, to an old British manor in an abandoned mining town in Mexico. She is sent there to uncover the secrets about her beloved cousin’s sudden and strange illness. Throughout her stay in the dreary manor, she makes discoveries about her hosts that are beyond understanding. Every new revelation raises a multitude of new questions and you are left wondering if Noemi will be able to uncover the answers before she, too, falls prey to the house itself like her unfortunate cousin.
Overview
Narration
The third-person narrative limits you to know only about what’s happening through the eyes of our protagonist, Noemi. This style of narration works really well here because of the way that it amplifies a sense of mystery. There is so much that Noemi doesn’t know, and you end up reflecting her frustration at being so unable to uncover anything in such a secretive household.
The narrative is primarily chronological, but with all the strange mysticism of the book, it is still able to disarm you at times. There are so many times in this book where I am left wondering, “Did that actually happen?”
The other nice addition to this narration is the fact that Noemi herself is such a bright young thing. Her voice inserts a jovial tone that otherwise would not exist in this dreary setting.
Character Design
The characters for this story are so much fun! Every person you meet has such a unique personality. I especially loved that everyone seems to have some secret that they refuse to divulge.
Aside from Noemi, you will also meet a dashing man with a bit of a dark side, a strict and heartless housekeeper, a sick old man that governs the house, and a medicine maker who holds the stories of the town’s sordid history. Just to name a few.
You will have no trouble at all connecting to the story with characters as interesting as these ones!
Character Development
The concept of character development in this book is an interesting one because the house plays such a huge role in manipulating your reality. Some of the actions of the characters make no sense, but like many gothic novels, the residents within the house are victims of inexplicable changes in their character. Though unpredictable, I certainly find the changes in each person living there to be believable and entertaining.
Holistic Storyline
Wow, can this author tell a story!
Silvia Moreno-Garcia tells a truly intricate and enthralling story that will have you hooked until it’s over.
Everything in Mexican Gothic is woven together so well. Every detail of the story is revealed in perfect timing, and there is never a dull moment. It has all of the components of a typical gothic novel, so if you are a fan of this genre, then this story is perfect in every way.
Bonus Features
Other than it being a fantastic story, there isn’t a lot more to add to this review, though I might like to mention my appreciation of the creative approach to this genre.
Silvia Moreno-Garcia follows the template of a gothic novel to the letter, but she creatively places her story in the middle of Mexico. I like that she took a British-style home and a culturally British family and placed them in a town filled with Latin culture. It made for a unique twist on the traditional gothic story.
Who Should Read this Book?
Considering the fact that this was, without a doubt, a gothic novel through and through, then you are guaranteed to love it if you’re already a fan of that genre. If you’ve read books like Wuthering Heights, Frankenstein, or Rebecca and loved them, you will enjoy this. However, you don’t need to be into gothic novels to enjoy this book. If you enjoy mystery novels or stories about haunted houses, then this would also be an enjoyable read for you.
If, however, you do not enjoy being spooked or potentially grossed out, then I wouldn’t recommend this book for you. It does have a few graphic scenes that might make you queasy or unnerved.
Recommended Reading Atmosphere
Because this is a bit of a spooky book, I’d recommend reading it at night or save this book for Halloween. Read it when you will be able to read for a longer period at once so that you have the chance to really enjoy the mood and intensity of the book.
Gothic classical music is a great accompaniment to this book. Pair that with a cup of earl grey tea, and you will have no trouble getting lost in this chilling read!
<<<If you’re already a fan of gothic novels, then “Mexican Gothic” is guaranteed to be a good fit book for you! From beginning to end, it is packed with mystery and intrigue and you will be sure to get drawn into its story as quickly as our unfortunate heroines got drawn into the spooky house. Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a masterful storyteller and makes her book accessible to all levels of readers. You will love it! >>>
Want to Learn More about Mexican Gothic? Check out these reviews!
- ‘Jane Eyre’ Meets ‘Dracula’ In This Sharp, Inventive ‘Mexican Gothic’ Tale
- Book Review: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
- In the deliciously creepy new novel Mexican Gothic, the true evil is colonialism
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