Mexican Gothic
Even a few weeks after completing the audiobook, Mexican Gothic follows me like a haunting. That’s how lush and atmospheric Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s masterpiece was. Mexican Gothic’s premise is simple and includes many elements of a classic Gothic novel, from a decrepit house past its prime to an eccentric and mysterious family with secrets. Yet Mexican Gothic is a refreshing entry into the genre because of Moreno-Garcia’s choice to set the novel in a post-colonial Mexico.
The elements of Gothic literature are elevated beyond window dressing and an aesthetic. This is particularly effective because of the European roots of Gothic horror. When placed in the context of post-colonial Mexico, Moreno-Garcia explores the long-term effects of racism, patriarchy, and colonialism. Rather than just having a fading English manor, an English manor that was built in Mexico on the backs of Mexican laborers provides a richer tapestry for narrative storytelling. The true horror lies not in the supernatural, but in the humans who happen to be caught in the supernatural. Mexican Gothic is a perfect example of how a diversity of storytelling can both remake and interrogate tropes/elements of a genre.
None of this magic would have happened without our protagonist, Noemi. Noemi is an absolute delight. She is cosmopolitan. She is unrepentant. She is bold. Moreno-Garcia does a fabulous job crafting a character who feels confident, yet still in over her head and unmoored. Noemi’s glamour starkly contrasts the unnerving Doyles of High Place, setting up a tension-filled plot that lingers uncomfortably. Some may see Noemi’s uncompromising, hard-headed nature as foolish when things start to spiral, but I think it makes her more compelling as it’s revealed what she is up against. Noemi’s charisma is made possible by the deeper themes that Moreno-Garcia is trying to explore with the setting in Mexican Gothic.
Opposite of Noemi is Francis Doyle, the one bright spot in a disquieting family. His presence offers some levity in an atmosphere than can feel downright oppressive. He plays nicely off Noemi because he is everything she isn’t, but it drives both the plot and their relationship. I can’t say too much more without spoiling too much, but in a cast of sinister characters, he and Noemi shine.
The mystery at the heart of Mexican Gothic is simple, but Noemi has to labor to uncover each clue. It makes the payoff satisfying as the plot climaxes. All the secondary characters have sufficient room to breathe and come into their own, none feel like throwaways only meant to drive the plot forward.
There is so much more I want to say (master use of “dangerous seduction” and body horror) but I think Mexican Gothic is best experienced fresh. From the setup to the atmosphere, it is an unparalleled mystery-thriller-horror experience. I’ve never been a big fan of horror movies, but Mexican Gothic has convinced me that I might just be a horror book fan.