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** I received an ARC for an honest review **
Description
“Back then, when I was a young woman, there were still witches”: That was how Nana Alba always began the stories she told her great-granddaughter Minerva—stories that have stayed with Minerva all her life. Perhaps that’s why Minerva has become a graduate student focused on the history of horror literature and is researching the life of Beatrice Tremblay, an obscure author of macabre tales.
In the course of assembling her thesis, Minerva uncovers information that reveals that Tremblay’s most famous novel, The Vanishing, was inspired by a true story: Decades earlier, during the Great Depression, Tremblay attended the same university where Minerva is now studying and became obsessed with her beautiful and otherworldly roommate, who then disappeared under mysterious circumstances.
As Minerva descends ever deeper into Tremblay’s manuscript, she begins to sense that the malign force that stalked Tremblay and the missing girl might still walk the halls of the campus. These disturbing events also echo the stories Nana Alba told about her girlhood in 1900s Mexico, where she had a terrifying encounter with a witch.
Minerva suspects that the same shadow that darkened the lives of her great-grandmother and Beatrice Tremblay is now threatening her own in 1990s Massachusetts. An academic career can be a punishing pursuit, but it might turn outright deadly when witchcraft is involved.
Summary
I recently read the latest horror offering The Bewitching from Mexican-Canadian author Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
Review
The Bewitching is a dark, atmospheric work that blends gothic horror and historical fiction, weaving multiple timelines exploring themes of witchcraft, obsession, and feminine agency. Silvia Moreno-Garcia once again crafts a haunting narrative that moves between past and present, examining how stories—and fears—echo across generations.
Review
Moreno-Garcia delivers a layered and unsettling horror that is atmospheric and well-structured. The Bewitching thrives on the shifting timelines with each distinct narrator but thematically woven, creating a chilling convergence.
The greatest strength of Moreno-Garcias’s work lies in the exploration fear with a particular focus on female autonomy that carries across different historical eras and protagonists timeline.
The prose is elegant and immersive, with Moreno-Garcia demonstrating her ability to evoke mood and atmosphere. The gothic elements are pervasive, creating a sense of dread that lingers beneath the surface rather than relying on “shock” horror.
The pacing is measured, favouring tension and atmosphere over a rapid plot. This enhances the novel’s immersive quality gradually building as the narrative shifts between timelines. This structure ultimately reinforces thematic depth.
The Bewitching is a haunting and thought-provoking novel that blends gothic horror with literary depth, offering a nuanced exploration of fear, power, and storytelling. Moreno-Garcia once again proves her versatility, crafting a narrative that is as intellectually engaging as it is unsettling.
Conclusion
A highly recommended gothic horror for readers who enjoy layered narratives and multiple points of view, a touch of historical intrigue that unravels into a compelling work. A must read for fans of gothic horror.
** This is my personal opinion and does not reflect any judging decisions **
Leanbh Pearson 