Short Book Reviews: An Early Novel by a Master of Fantasy

 SignalTo Noise, by SilviaMoreno-Garcia (Solaris)

I spent most of this book, a reprint of an early novel bySilvia Morena-Garcia, loathing the central character. The story bounces backand forth between “the past” (1988) and “the present” (2009), and theadventures of Meche (short for Mercedes, which she loathes) and her two bestfriends, Sebastián and Diana. The three were misfits in high school, each withtheir own family dramas and challenges. Mecha’s definitely the leader of thegroup, and she’s endlessly sarcastic, demanding, and miserly in her friendship.Her alcoholic father is a radio DJ and aspiring music historian, obsessed withvinyl records. Almost by accident, Meche discovers that by wishing hard enoughwhile playing a specific record, she can make things happen. Soon she’s ropedher friends into a magical circle, searching for especially potent songs and practicingincreasingly dark acts of magic. In the present, she’s returned home for herfather’s funeral, reliving the past as she packs up his papers and recordcollection.

I really wish Meche had been a more sympathetic character orthat the turning point in her descent into magical violence had been moreclear. I cared more about awkward, earnest Sebastián with his long-time,unspoken crush on Meche, and loyal Diana with her fussy dresses, Easy-Bakeoven, and lupus diagnosis. Sebastián and Diana each had a moral compass but notenough courage to stand up to Meche. Even so, the story caught me up and keptme turning pages. This is an early work, and the author has matured greatly. Ilike her later characters a lot better, particularly those in Mexican Gothic,The Beautiful Ones, and Gods of Jade and Shadow.