Silvia Moreno-Garcia - Mexican Gothic

Silvia Moreno-Garcia - Mexican Gothic

From World Book Club by BBC World Service

October 4, 2025 · 1h 7m

About this episode

Harriett discusses the chilling bestseller Mexican Gothic with author Silvia Moreno-Garcia.

Harriett is joined by Silvia Moreno-Garcia to discuss her chilling bestseller Mexican Gothic. The story begins when Noemí Taboada, a glamorous socialite from 1950s Mexico City, receives a desperate letter from her cousin Catalina, claiming her new husband is poisoning her. Unsure if Catalina is mad or truly in danger, Noemí rushes to High Place - a decaying English manor transplanted to the Mexican mountains. But is she to be the rescuer, or the unwitting prey of the evil that festers in the bones of the house? High Place, and its inhabitants, want Noemí, and it will take all her courage and ingenuity to save her cousin, and herself. A masterful blend of gothic suspense, startlingly vivid imagery and dark romance, Mexican Gothic has sparked intense fascination from readers around the world - and Silvia Moreno-Garcia will be answering questions from our global audience of book lovers. Why is Gothic literature seeing a resurgence in the 21st century? How does horror allow us to explore themes of colonialism and sexual violence? And where is the very real cemetery that inspired the setting of High House?

People in this episode

Host: Harriett

Guest: Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Topics covered

  • Gothic literature
  • horror
  • colonialism
  • sexual violence
  • suspense
  • dark romance

Keywords

  • Mexican Gothic
  • Silvia Moreno-Garcia
  • gothic suspense
  • 1950s Mexico
  • High Place
  • horror themes
  • colonialism
  • dark romance

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Mexican Gothic

Places: High Place, Mexico City, Mexican mountains, High House

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