Review of The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas
The Hacienda, Isabel Cañas’s debut novel (Berkeley, 2022), is a gorgeous Gothic novel set post-Mexican War of Independence. Far removed from the typical Gothic settings of Western Europe, this novel draws upon the universal language of dread and presents a world filled with chilling horror.
Beatriz is the second wife of a wealthy landowner, having seized upon his proposal in order to have a home again. From nearly her first moment in his house, however, something is horribly wrong. Eerie noises, seeing things that aren’t there, and mysterious deaths plague Beatriz while her sister-in-law, husband, and even the local priests tell her it’s all in her head. When she finally finds a priest who will listen to her concerns, she learns he shares them because he already knew there was something wrong.
The story of The Hacienda is dark and terrifying in places. The characters are wonderfully written, with much more depth than typical Gothic characters, who often come across as archetypes rather than full-fledged people. There are strong shades of Crimson Peak, but with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
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