Another magical historical Mexican mystery from Silvia Moreno-Garcia! This time it’s the secluded Yucatán Peninsula in the 1870s, a backdrop of warring factions, British colonialism and isolated haciendas in the jungle with a fairly mad scientist, his majordomo, and his daughter finally being visited by curious and imperious outsiders.
This is a retelling of H.G. Wells’ 125 year old pioneering science fiction novel, made famous in its time as science was experimenting with the awful practice of “vivisection” and the English were concerned about the degeneration of the human race. Ms. Moreno- Garcia’s book adds a daughter and elements of feminism not in the original (although the themes of class distinctions and castes were there in 1896). The story centers on Carlota, the daughter, and the alcoholic Montgomery, Dr. Moreau’s right hand man. The original novel was more about Edwin, a castaway who discovers the secrets of the Moreau compound, but here we have Edouard, the rich patron’s son, suitor of Carlota, and here an interloper.
If you’ve never read the original or seen any of the terrible adaptations, I won’t reveal what Dr. Moreau is doing in the jungle, but it’s safe to say that what happens in the jungle should stay in the jungle. The narrative is atmospheric — the sense of isolation and danger is palpable. Yet, even without the incursion of strangers we know that Carlota is growing up and Dr. Moreau is growing older and that means something must eventually change, but will it be a good outcome for the inhabitants of the hacienda, or a terrible ending?
I have loved all of Silvia Moreno-Garcia incredible books — horror and magical mystery and now science fiction, and it’s the surrounding history of the time period that makes all of them exotic and unique. 4.5 stars rounded up!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Eduardo has the green eyes, which draw Carlota’s attention.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The jungle is lush and the crops grown were typical of 19th century Yucatán.
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| Gods of Jade and Shadow | Mexican Gothic | Velvet Was the Night | |
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| The Mayan god of death sends a young woman on a harrowing, life-changing journey in this dark, one-of-a-kind fairy tale inspired by Mexican folklore. | An isolated mansion. A chillingly charismatic aristocrat. And a brave socialite drawn to expose their treacherous secrets. . . | A simmering historical noir about a daydreaming secretary, a lonesome enforcer, and the mystery of the missing woman they’re both desperate to find. |
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Another magical historical Mexican mystery based on an old classic
Another magical historical Mexican mystery from Silvia Moreno-Garcia! This time it’s the secluded Yucatán Peninsula in the 1870s, a backdrop of warring factions, British colonialism and isolated haciendas in the jungle with a fairly mad scientist, his majordomo, and his daughter finally being visited by curious and imperious outsiders.This is a retelling of H.G. Wells’ 125 year old pioneering science fiction novel, made famous in its time as science was experimenting with the awful practice of “vivisection” and the English were concerned about the degeneration of the human race. Ms. Moreno- Garcia’s book adds a daughter and elements of feminism not in the original (although the themes of class distinctions and castes were there in 1896). The story centers on Carlota, the daughter, and the alcoholic Montgomery, Dr. Moreau’s right hand man. The original novel was more about Edwin, a castaway who discovers the secrets of the Moreau compound, but here we have Edouard, the rich patron’s son, suitor of Carlota, and here an interloper.If you’ve never read the original or seen any of the terrible adaptations, I won’t reveal what Dr. Moreau is doing in the jungle, but it’s safe to say that what happens in the jungle should stay in the jungle. The narrative is atmospheric — the sense of isolation and danger is palpable. Yet, even without the incursion of strangers we know that Carlota is growing up and Dr. Moreau is growing older and that means something must eventually change, but will it be a good outcome for the inhabitants of the hacienda, or a terrible ending?I have loved all of Silvia Moreno-Garcia incredible books — horror and magical mystery and now science fiction, and it’s the surrounding history of the time period that makes all of them exotic and unique. 4.5 stars rounded up!Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Eduardo has the green eyes, which draw Carlota’s attention.Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The jungle is lush and the crops grown were typical of 19th century Yucatán.
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2022
This is a retelling of H.G. Wells’ 125 year old pioneering science fiction novel, made famous in its time as science was experimenting with the awful practice of “vivisection” and the English were concerned about the degeneration of the human race. Ms. Moreno- Garcia’s book adds a daughter and elements of feminism not in the original (although the themes of class distinctions and castes were there in 1896). The story centers on Carlota, the daughter, and the alcoholic Montgomery, Dr. Moreau’s right hand man. The original novel was more about Edwin, a castaway who discovers the secrets of the Moreau compound, but here we have Edouard, the rich patron’s son, suitor of Carlota, and here an interloper.
If you’ve never read the original or seen any of the terrible adaptations, I won’t reveal what Dr. Moreau is doing in the jungle, but it’s safe to say that what happens in the jungle should stay in the jungle. The narrative is atmospheric — the sense of isolation and danger is palpable. Yet, even without the incursion of strangers we know that Carlota is growing up and Dr. Moreau is growing older and that means something must eventually change, but will it be a good outcome for the inhabitants of the hacienda, or a terrible ending?
I have loved all of Silvia Moreno-Garcia incredible books — horror and magical mystery and now science fiction, and it’s the surrounding history of the time period that makes all of them exotic and unique. 4.5 stars rounded up!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Eduardo has the green eyes, which draw Carlota’s attention.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The jungle is lush and the crops grown were typical of 19th century Yucatán.
Another magical historical Mexican mystery based on an old classic
Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2022
Another magical historical Mexican mystery from Silvia Moreno-Garcia! This time it’s the secluded Yucatán Peninsula in the 1870s, a backdrop of warring factions, British colonialism and isolated haciendas in the jungle with a fairly mad scientist, his majordomo, and his daughter finally being visited by curious and imperious outsiders.Reviewed in the United States on July 19, 2022
This is a retelling of H.G. Wells’ 125 year old pioneering science fiction novel, made famous in its time as science was experimenting with the awful practice of “vivisection” and the English were concerned about the degeneration of the human race. Ms. Moreno- Garcia’s book adds a daughter and elements of feminism not in the original (although the themes of class distinctions and castes were there in 1896). The story centers on Carlota, the daughter, and the alcoholic Montgomery, Dr. Moreau’s right hand man. The original novel was more about Edwin, a castaway who discovers the secrets of the Moreau compound, but here we have Edouard, the rich patron’s son, suitor of Carlota, and here an interloper.
If you’ve never read the original or seen any of the terrible adaptations, I won’t reveal what Dr. Moreau is doing in the jungle, but it’s safe to say that what happens in the jungle should stay in the jungle. The narrative is atmospheric — the sense of isolation and danger is palpable. Yet, even without the incursion of strangers we know that Carlota is growing up and Dr. Moreau is growing older and that means something must eventually change, but will it be a good outcome for the inhabitants of the hacienda, or a terrible ending?
I have loved all of Silvia Moreno-Garcia incredible books — horror and magical mystery and now science fiction, and it’s the surrounding history of the time period that makes all of them exotic and unique. 4.5 stars rounded up!
Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): YES Eduardo has the green eyes, which draw Carlota’s attention.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO The jungle is lush and the crops grown were typical of 19th century Yucatán.
Images in this review
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