Silvia Moreno-Garcia is so prolific, I can’t keep up! Her latest novel, Silver Nitrate, is a love-letter to old movies, and an exploration of the dark magic of cinema.
Our central character, the brilliantly named Montserrat, is a sound editor in 90s Mexico City. Although she loves her job, she is frustrated by the misogyny that comes along with the industry. However, when she is introduced to a forgotten horror movie director, Abel, by her friend/crush Tristan, otherworldly opportunities for power present themselves. Abel recruits Monserrat and Tristan to help complete his unfinished movie, which was unfortunately written by a Nazi occultist, who may or may not be dead. It can only end badly.
One of the things I loved about Moreno-Garcia’s breakout novel, Mexican Gothic, is that things appear normal and then suddenly turn incredibly weird. Silver Nitrate is similar, but the writing didn’t feel as fluid. Early in Silver Nitrate, there are a lot of passages regarding the technical aspects of film, which felt a little dry. But there are some incredibly creepy moments in this book; Moreno-Garcia can certainly create a sense of unease in any environment.
The central character Montserrat was appealing in her physical and emotional messiness, as well as her genuine fearlessness in the face of the unknown. I didn’t completely understand her relationship with Tristan, an actor whose career was ruined by a tragic accident. I felt like his character could have been developed more; he just felt a little superfluous.
Silver Nitrate was definitely enjoyable, but I wasn’t completely pulled into Montserrat’s world. The occult aspects of the story were interesting, and the ending was so completely electric, but things didn’t completely flow for me this time.
Silver Nitrate is out on July 18th, 2023.
Thank you so much to Del Rey for the ARC.
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