Audiobook Sample

Listen to the sample to experience the story.

Please wait while we verify your browser...

Dear curious travelers of story and sound,

There’s something uniquely magical about a story that transports you not just to another place, but into the very marrow of its time, culture, and atmosphere. Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s *Mexican Gothic*, brought vividly to life in audiobook form by Frankie Corzo, is precisely that kind of tale. Listening to it was like wandering through a fog-drenched dream; every corner held a whisper, every shadow a secret. As someone who has spent years uncovering hidden histories and immersing myself in cultural storytelling, this audiobook took me back to moments when the uncanny felt as tangible as the road beneath my feet.

The story begins with Noemí Taboada, a glamorous and whip-smart socialite from 1950s Mexico City, who is summoned to the decaying estate of High Place after her cousin Catalina sends a desperate and cryptic letter. High Place, nestled in the misty hills of the Mexican countryside, becomes a character in its own right—a house alive with menace, secrets, and the haunting grip of a family whose legacy is as rotten as the walls that contain it. The narrative unfolds like a slow dance: deliberate, moody, and hypnotic, until it crescendos into something utterly otherworldly.

Listening to *Mexican Gothic* reminded me of a time I drove through the Atacama Desert in Chile while listening to *One Hundred Years of Solitude*. Both stories share a rich vein of magical realism, though Moreno-Garcia’s work leans heavily into the gothic horror tradition. Frankie Corzo’s narration was the perfect guide through this labyrinthine tale. Her voice is warm yet sharp, able to shift seamlessly from Noemí’s fiery determination to the eerie tones of High Place’s many mysteries. There were moments when her delivery of Noemí’s inner thoughts felt so intimate, I could have sworn she was sitting beside me, sharing the story over a cup of coffee.

What sets *Mexican Gothic* apart is its deft weaving of gothic tropes with the rich textures of Mexican culture and history. The decaying mansion, the enigmatic and sinister family, the creeping sense of dread—these are hallmarks of the genre, but Moreno-Garcia roots them in a distinctly Mexican context. High Place’s history as a mining estate, its ties to colonial exploitation, and the way its ghosts manifest speak to a deeper commentary on power, race, and the lingering scars of history. As someone who has spent time in places where such histories remain palpable, I found this aspect of the story particularly resonant. Once, while staying with a family in Oaxaca, I listened to their grandmother recount stories of colonial hauntings and ancestral resilience. *Mexican Gothic* captures that same sense of history as both a burden and a haunting presence.

Corzo’s narration elevates the audiobook experience to something almost cinematic. Her pacing mirrors the novel’s slow-burn intensity, and her ability to embody each character—Noemí’s boldness, Virgil Doyle’s unnerving charm, and Francis’s quiet vulnerability—adds depth and nuance to the listening experience. The sound design is stripped-down, allowing Corzo’s voice to carry the weight of the story. You can almost hear the creak of High Place’s floorboards, the rustle of its oppressive silence, and the hum of something far more sinister lurking within its walls.

That said, the audiobook’s deliberate pacing might not appeal to everyone. The first half of the novel is a slow build, laying the groundwork for the explosive revelations and horrors of the second half. For some, this might feel like wading through molasses, but for me, it was like watching storm clouds gather on the horizon, knowing they would eventually break.

In terms of comparisons, *Mexican Gothic* feels like a love letter to both gothic classics like *Jane Eyre* or *Rebecca* and the surreal, unsettling works of Guillermo del Toro. Yet, it is undeniably its own creature, a story that could only have been penned by Moreno-Garcia. Her prose is lush and evocative, and in Corzo’s hands, it blooms into something alive and immersive.

If you’re drawn to stories that blend the eerie with the culturally rich, *Mexican Gothic* is a must-listen. It’s a tale for those who relish unraveling secrets, who appreciate a protagonist with grit and glamour, and who aren’t afraid to confront the darkness that lingers in the corners of history. I’d recommend it to fans of gothic horror, historical fiction, and anyone looking for a story that feels like sinking into a dream you’re not sure you want to wake from.

As I finished the audiobook, I found myself thinking about the power of storytelling as a form of exorcism—of confronting the ghosts of the past to understand the present. For Noemí, this meant unearthing the truths buried within High Place. For me, it’s why I travel, why I listen, and why I tell stories. *Mexican Gothic* is more than just an audiobook; it’s an experience, a journey into the heart of fear, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of a young woman determined to chart her own path.

Until our next literary adventure, stay curious and keep exploring.

Warmly,
Marcus Rivera

Until our next literary adventure, stay curious and keep exploring.