Mexican Gothic – Silvia Moreno-Garcia

“The shape, gray and lacking definition, a blur of darkness against the mist, did not move toward Noemí. It remained still. It might be nothing but a statue.” (Quotation page 96)

Content

Parties at the Tuñóns’ house never end up before one A.M. But this time, Noemí Taboada, leaves at ten P.M., because her father had called her home. Virgil Doyle, the husband of her cousin Catalina, has invited Noemí to visit Catalina. A few weeks ago, Catalina had written a quite disturbing letter to Noemí’s father. So Noemí has to find out, what really is happening in that old mansion called High Place, situated in the foggy, chilling countryside, which gives Catalina such a deep fright. Soon Noemí too feels a gripping, terrifying presence in that house and her nightmares convince her, that she has to leave that place as soon as possible, but certainly not without her cousin. Therefore, she first has to find a way to save Catalina from what seems a kind of spell coming from the house that makes it almost impossible to leave.

Theme and Genre

This story is written in the tradition of a typical English gothic story, mixed with Mexican ghost stories and elements of fantasy. We find ghosts, supernatural apparitions and a remote, old, haunted house, connected to dark family secrets.

Characters

Noemí is twenty-two years old and a glamorous, socialite, who takes live easy, likes to flirt and party. Nevertheless, when her five years older cousin Catalina needs her, courageously she begins to dig into the secrets deep in the past of the Doyle family and not even terrifying nightmares can stop her.

Plot and Writing

Noemí is the main character and the story is told chronologically. It shows all elements of Gothic Literature, from mystery, fear, curses, atmosphere, setting to villains, anti-hero, suffering women and romance. It is clear that Gothic Stories have to go beyond scientific understanding, leading to mysteries and strange, fearful events. However, as the story develops, the supernatural and paranormal activities are just too much, missing the elegance of the authentic English Gothic Fiction.

Conclusion

A gripping novel, a modern gothic tale with elements of horror and fantasy.