MEXICO: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia: A Review

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia


The first book I read in my quest to "Read the World" was Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, released in 2020. 

Moreno-Garcia was born in Baja California, Mexico, but moved to British Columbia, Canada, in her early twenties. In Canada, she studied at the University of British Columbia and gained a Master's in science and technology studies. 

Her studies, and her origin, are evident in Mexican Gothic. Although it is not Moreno-Garcia's first work (she is a prolific author of short fiction and novels with Mexican Gothic being her fifth) it seems her Mexican identity and her love of the sciences are happily wed in this gothic horror novel. 

Through her main protagonist, pretty but brainy socialite Noemí Taboada, the reader experiences an eerie mystery concerning Noemí's cousin, Catalina, and Catalina's recent decline in health. Catalina lives on an old colonial-era estate owned by an English family, the Doyles. 

With references to racism, supremacy and colonialism, Mexican Gothic is definitely more than just a gothic horror: it is actually somewhat thought-provoking and, if you are like me, you will want to Google quite a bit. Of course there are elements of fantasy, there has to be in a book like this, but Moreno-Garcia definitely teaches while she entertains.

I do not like rating books, a seven for me might be a four for you or a nine for. As long as a book is well-written, there are no rules for taste. Normally, I am not big into horror or gothic, so it is unusual for me to read one. 

Mexican Gothic covers "Mexico" in my 'Read the World' project. 





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