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Episode 58: Let's talk about Mexican Gothic
Leaning into the Halloween season, Fable and the Verbivore are unpacking the beautiful creepy complexity of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s gothic horror novel Mexican Gothic.
We jump right into this topic by discussing the oppressive and claustrophobic gothic atmosphere that the author creates, sitting within the realm of traditional classic gothic novels such as Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Rebecca while also channeling a Lovecraftian level of unease and (mostly) bloodless horror. To her unique and atmospheric style, she also focuses a modern lens and light on the ugly and sometimes overlooked truths of the past as well as the present.
In this episode, we discuss Silvia’s masterful setup of intriguing questions within the first chapter - especially the first line, while also fully establishing Noemí Taboada‘s vibrant and strong-willed character prior to her entering into the murky and secretive world of the house at High Place. We discuss how well the elements of the cover art work together to tell part of Noemí’s story, before even cracking open the book and reading one word.
There are also many symbols that she uses throughout the story to help visually show the toxic and parasitic relationships that have been allowed to run rampant and fester within the family. If you are looking for a thoughtfully and exquisitely crafted gothic horror novel, we highly recommend this book!
Author Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s work in many ways feels like it defies categorization or genre, but she seems to write wherever her imagination takes her - having published works in speculative fiction and fantasy, with a recent expansion into crime fiction. We wouldn’t have it any other way and look forward to reading more of her work. Some of her more recent novels include the Mayan myth retelling Gods of Jade and Shadow, sweeping fantasy The Beautiful Ones, and the quiet thriller Untamed Shore.
We hope you enjoy listening to this episode! It was fascinating to share with each other how this story was able to make us feel and the visceral reactions we had to some of the scenes. Keep reading, and writing, and putting your voice out there!
Into the woods,
Fable & The Verbivore
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By Fable & The Verbivore
5
88 ratings
Leaning into the Halloween season, Fable and the Verbivore are unpacking the beautiful creepy complexity of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s gothic horror novel Mexican Gothic.
We jump right into this topic by discussing the oppressive and claustrophobic gothic atmosphere that the author creates, sitting within the realm of traditional classic gothic novels such as Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and Rebecca while also channeling a Lovecraftian level of unease and (mostly) bloodless horror. To her unique and atmospheric style, she also focuses a modern lens and light on the ugly and sometimes overlooked truths of the past as well as the present.
In this episode, we discuss Silvia’s masterful setup of intriguing questions within the first chapter - especially the first line, while also fully establishing Noemí Taboada‘s vibrant and strong-willed character prior to her entering into the murky and secretive world of the house at High Place. We discuss how well the elements of the cover art work together to tell part of Noemí’s story, before even cracking open the book and reading one word.
There are also many symbols that she uses throughout the story to help visually show the toxic and parasitic relationships that have been allowed to run rampant and fester within the family. If you are looking for a thoughtfully and exquisitely crafted gothic horror novel, we highly recommend this book!
Author Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s work in many ways feels like it defies categorization or genre, but she seems to write wherever her imagination takes her - having published works in speculative fiction and fantasy, with a recent expansion into crime fiction. We wouldn’t have it any other way and look forward to reading more of her work. Some of her more recent novels include the Mayan myth retelling Gods of Jade and Shadow, sweeping fantasy The Beautiful Ones, and the quiet thriller Untamed Shore.
We hope you enjoy listening to this episode! It was fascinating to share with each other how this story was able to make us feel and the visceral reactions we had to some of the scenes. Keep reading, and writing, and putting your voice out there!
Into the woods,
Fable & The Verbivore