Last updated on February 14, 2021
You probably expect that the novel Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a dark novel. The story twists and turns, exploring the dark sides of human nature along with the light.
If you’ve already read the book, you may be interested in my summary rather than this book review.
Neomí is a young socialite in Mexico City. She is summoned home one evening while out on a date. She thinks her father wants to talk to her about the man but instead, he wants her to get ready to leave for High Place. Her cousin Catalina married a stranger and sent the family a confusing letter. She tells of being unable to leave and of her husband trying to poison her. Neomí’s father counters all the arguments why she can’t go to check on Catalina and Neomi soon leaves for High Place by train.
Intrigue at High Place
Francis is waiting for Neomí to take her to High Place. Her first impression of High Place is its remoteness. It sneaks up on Neomí that she is entering a forest. High Place is an impressive house, or it once was. Now, it is in a state of disrepair, moldy and mildewed. Despite this, the family is a proud one, with their English ways. The patriarch, Howard, brought earth as well as servants from England, only wanting “the best” for himself and his family.
Frances, Francis’ mother, runs the house. She shows Neomi her room and explain that electricity doesn’t work in the room so she will have to use a lamp. Although Neomí’s purpose for her visit is to check on Catalina, Frances says it’s almost time for her medicine and Neomi can only visit for five minutes.
Meeting the Doyles
At dinner, Neomi meets Virgil who she had met at the wedding and his father, Howard Doyle. She is struck by how colorless the men are with their blond hair. It makes more sense when Howard comments on her Mexican looks and forces her into a discussion of eugenics, paying her a backhanded compliment while indicating her inferiority to his superiority.
This first dinner sets the tone for Neomi’s visit. She is expected to follow the rules of the house which include no talking during meals. There are three servants remaining and none of them talk to her. Neomi, with her fashionable clothes and ways, is in a foreign world. The most interesting conversations she has are with Francis, who is taken by her.
Into Another World
As Neomi’s stay progresses, the house slowly reveals itself to her although she cannot yet read all the signs. She notices the family symbol all over the house, a snake eating its tail, an Ouroboros. It was integrated into the design and elements of the house. She found it a curious choice.
Catalina had periods of lucidity but at other times, she babbled about the walls and the house. When Neomi started noticing strange things in the house, she wondered if she was being affected by Catalina’s words.
Neomí had strange dreams of a woman without a face. The woman was frightening with gold dust where her face should be. Neomí also started to see movement in the walls and had trouble knowing when she was asleep or awake. What’s worse is that she started sleepwalking, making it more difficult to tell what was real and what was a dream. And then there was the noise, a noise like pulsing that seemed to emanate from the walls.
As time went on, her symptoms continued. Her only respite was Francis but could she trust him? What was really going on in that house, in that family. The slow rise came to a head when Neomí decided to leave the house. Then she got to learn the big secret.
Final Verdict on Mexican Gothic
This is a story of racism, class disparities, greed, violence and horror in a quest for immortality. The Doyles have been feeding on each other and exploiting the neighborhood for generations. Is there any redemption or will there be enough light to overcome their darkness?
I started reading the last third of this book late on a Friday night. I worried that I would dream of the horrors. If I did, I don’t remember the dreams.
Some of the details in this book are quite intricate. Some of the choices that look like holes are neatly explained in the final scenes but I still have questions. I like a story where good overcomes evil, of resilience and redemption so I’ll give the holes a a pass.
I did rush through some sections of the book finding the writing a bit excessive at times. I haven’t read a lot in this genre and this book was a mostly engaging and interesting read.
I’m having a hard time choosing between 3 stars and four stars and I don’t let myself use half stars. I’ve settled on 4 stars because if I’m vacillating between two points, I’d like to choose the high road. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
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