The disgusting ills of eugenics. [Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia]
From the author of Gods of Jade and Shadow comes “a terrifying twist on classic gothic horror” (Kirkus Reviews) set in glamorous 1950s Mexico—“fans of classic novels like Jane Eyre and Rebecca are in for a suspenseful treat” (PopSugar).
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.
English man comes to post-colonial nation and imposes his eugenic ideology on local populace is enough of a horror in itself, there's enough reality backing that scenario. But add to that upper class politics and mores and reinforced god complexes and it's a living nightmare. Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic is a horrifying tale in so many ways. Gender-based restrictions and impositions, lax attitudes on sexual assault, the loss of bodily autonomy - these were the things that made me gag in disgust as I read, the reason why this book was as good as it was.
Another foray into gothic horror (this time it's in the title), the haunted house, again, was not the horrifying aspect of the story, it was the people, the attitudes, the conservative values, expectations, and the *SPOILER* inbreeding. I can't recall which episode it was of Finding Your Roots, or maybe it was another Henry Louis Gates' show, but there was one episode where someone's white European settler ancestors had married a close relation, likely in a conceited effort to avoid diluting their bloodlines. I cannot imagine looking around for possible suitors, finding none up to par, and deciding the better option is to marry a family member. Ridiculous.
The proximity to reality is what makes people horror the worst. Gore, senseless depictions of excessive violence are not the worst (those, as I type this, it really should be), the depravities and atrocities people will remorselessly commit for their wild beliefs and selfishness are. There were times where obvious actions could have been taken and the end result reached earlier, but I enjoyed my read regardless. 4 stars from me.
Mexican Gothic is set to be published June 30, 2020.
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