Dec 2022 Group Read #2- The Hacienda-Isabel Canas

[Lindsay]

debbicat, I read Mexican Gothic and am now in the middle of Hacienda. They do share "woman travels to a big spooky house" as a very general plot, but I think that's about it in terms of similarities. I'm personally enjoying this book much more than MG, but I still think that one was an enjoyable read.

[Michael]

debbicat *made of stardust* wrote: "I didn't read Mexican Gothic but read this one in the early fall with another group. Are they very much different? Those of you have read both? I wanted read MG but my group voted on The Hacienda. ..."

They are both similar in that the setting is Mexican in an earlier time and both protagonists are strong female characters. The presence of a old, haunted house and family secrets (essential to a "gothic" menu) are there - - but then the differences show up. MG is closer to Lovecraftian cosmic horror in my opinion. However, MG is so much slower than Hacienda you may become impatient waiting for things to finally kick in the last third of the book. Don't want to decide for you - - - hope that's enough information to help with your decision.

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Michael wrote: "debbicat *made of stardust* wrote: "I didn't read Mexican Gothic but read this one in the early fall with another group. Are they very much different? Those of you have read both? I wanted read MG ..."

Thank you so much! I can be impatient. I may still read it in 2023. I am all about fast reads this month! I appreciate your comments.

[Tim]

I am about halfway through the book, and I’m really getting into it now. Isabel Cañas does a very good job of sprinkling in just enough of what life was like during the time period, but not so much that it overwhelms the story and the characters.

[Kimberly]

Tim wrote: "I am about halfway through the book, and I’m really getting into it now. Isabel Cañas does a very good job of sprinkling in just enough of what life was like during the time period, but not so much..."

I agree 100%! I was just thinking that it wasn't "overwhelming" with information, but gives enough so that you can understand what the life was like for certain people then.

[Netanella]

I'm excited to see so many readers enjoying this story! I've got this book lined up for January, since I can use it in a 2023 challenge, so I'm just going to wait a couple of weeks before I start it. Can't wait!

[Damini]

I was up till 2 am last night, reading this. Couldn't stop because a) the writing really drew me into the plot and I had to resist devouring it so as to savour it more, and b) I was spooked!
I know it's described as Rebecca + Mexican Gothic, but is anyone else also getting a Haunting of Hill House kind of vibe?

[Kimberly]

Damini wrote: "I was up till 2 am last night, reading this. Couldn't stop because a) the writing really drew me into the plot and I had to resist devouring it so as to savour it more, and b) I was spooked!
I kno..."

I am definitely feeling the house as more of a character, personally.

[Chandler]

I'm at the halfway point and enjoying it! Lots of action! I feel like (view spoiler)[ the husband is definitely involved in murdering his first wife and/or causing the haunting but that may be too obvious. I'm hoping to find out and finish in the next few days (hide spoiler)]

[Marinka]

It took me a while to finish this book, unfortunately it didn’t keep my interest as much, as I hoped, it just didn’t grab me. I thought it was kind of boring and horror? Not so much, I didn’t find it scary or thrilling.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.

I’m glad that many of you did enjoy it 😊

[Damini]

Kimberly wrote: "Damini wrote: "I was up till 2 am last night, reading this. Couldn't stop because a) the writing really drew me into the plot and I had to resist devouring it so as to savour it more, and b) I was ..."

Exactly. The author does say Shirley Jackson was one of the inspirations for this book.

[Damini]

Finished it last night. I was really absorbed throughout, and really enjoyed it! Not sure (view spoiler)[about the romance angle (hide spoiler)] but loved everything else.

[Damini]

Lindsay wrote: "debbicat, I read Mexican Gothic and am now in the middle of Hacienda. They do share "woman travels to a big spooky house" as a very general plot, but I think that's about it in terms of similaritie..."

yes, that's about the only similarity, which is why I feel the Mexican Gothic comparison is incorrect.

[Kimberly]

Damini wrote: "Lindsay wrote: "debbicat, I read Mexican Gothic and am now in the middle of Hacienda. They do share "woman travels to a big spooky house" as a very general plot, but I think that's about it in term..."

I agree. Nearly finished, and I find it a great example of a unique (view spoiler)[ haunted house, with its history. The only thing that seems a bit out of place is the romance angle, to me, but I love the writing style and character portrayal. (hide spoiler)] I hope to finish today.

[debbicat *made of stardust*]

Kimberly wrote: "Damini wrote: "Lindsay wrote: "debbicat, I read Mexican Gothic and am now in the middle of Hacienda. They do share "woman travels to a big spooky house" as a very general plot, but I think that's a..."

Romance: (view spoiler)[ the romance angle didn't work for me either. I lost interest when the plot focused too much on that. (hide spoiler)]

[Jaz]

my last book took me forever so I am just starting now

[Lindsay]

I finished it last night.... mixed.

(view spoiler)[ A lot of the characters were great, but Rodolpho and Juana's deaths back to back was extremely unsatisfying. I was soo creeped out by the imagery, and then everyone was dead. I think I was expecting a few more twists and turns in there. The tension was so high and it didn't really go anywhere for me. (hide spoiler)]

But the writing was really good. And pacing. There were a few "oh just one more chapter" nights.

[Kimberly]

Finished last night as well! I really enjoyed the characters, pacing, writing, and the fact that we weren't subjected to endless repetition that I've been seeing a lot of lately! (view spoiler)[While I figured who was responsible for the first wife's death earlier on, I was surprised at how "quickly" Rodolpho was murdered--especially after just hearing Juana's "secret". Otherwise, aside from the romance angle that didn't feel "necessary" (and then didn't feel COMPLETE at the end) (hide spoiler)] I really enjoyed this one.

[Tim]

Finished this yesterday, and I liked it quite a bit. I don’t think it’s straight-up horror as much as it uses haunted house trappings to tell the story of it’s two main characters. I also don’t always love books that jump back and forth between multiple characters, and time periods, but I thought this pulled it off.

[Latasha]

My library hold came in while I was off work for Christmas. I go back tomorrow and will be starting this one then.

[Kimberly]

Latasha wrote: "My library hold came in while I was off work for Christmas. I go back tomorrow and will be starting this one then."

I hope you like it--I ended up really enjoying this one!

[Latasha]

Thanks!

[Ann]

Michael wrote: "debbicat *made of stardust* wrote: "I didn't read Mexican Gothic but read this one in the early fall with another group. Are they very much different? Those of you have read both? I wanted read MG ..."

Yes, Mexican Gothic is slower to start up . . .but when it does, the slow burn is well worth it. And, yes, it's cosmic horror vs. haunting. Two very different books, both worth your time if you love the classic Gothic tropes with more intense heroines.

[Hayley]

I am a little bit late to the party on this, but I did finish it yesterday! I really enjoyed the book, and thought it was a wonderful debut novel. I like that there are so many Gothic tropes but that they are very original in their use. I don't know... well, anything about the time period, so that was really interesting. As well as how colonialism shaped the lives of the characters - what is considered beautiful, the tension between native religions and Catholicism, etc. Really enjoyed it.

[Pat of Rocks]

I also finished late, but finished nonetheless! To me this book had a very strong start and I liked the setup and writing style. Really showed off the author's talent.

Around the 30% mark when the main characters meet, things started wearing on me. Andres as a priest...and a witch...and a former resident of the hacienda....and a cousin of a supporting character...and had a conflict with the former dona of the house was just all too convenient for everything the story needs. The rest of the story is fine, but didn't maintain my full interest. Too many characters get the "suddenly I'm evil" treatment. What I appreciated most was the author's notes that help tie in all the historic elements. It improved my overall opinion on reflection. Not a bad story. I think it nicely showcases this relatively new author's potential.

[Jaz]

It was a nice enough book but I didn't love it. It felt like there was a lot going on all over the place. And like others said the Mexican Gothic comparison made me expect something different. I did like the end (view spoiler)[with Beatriz leaving both the house and Andres. Not something you see a lot with romances. (hide spoiler)]