Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro’s debut novel “Bochica” delivers a captivating Gothic horror experience that seamlessly weaves Colombian history, folklore, and spirituality into a chilling narrative of family secrets and supernatural terror. Set against the backdrop of the legendary Salto del Tequendama waterfall in 1930s Colombia, this atmospheric tale follows Antonia Rubiano as she confronts both human and supernatural evils lurking within her family’s former mansion.
What distinguishes “Bochica” from other entries in the Gothic horror genre is Flórez-Cerchiaro’s masterful use of Colombia’s rich cultural tapestry. The integration of Muisca mythology, particularly the goddess Bochica and the malevolent svetyba entities, creates a unique foundation for horror that feels both authentic and refreshingly original in a genre often dominated by Western European influences.
A Labyrinth of Memory and Truth
At the heart of “Bochica” lies protagonist Antonia Rubiano’s quest for truth amidst unreliable memories and family secrets. Following her mother Estela’s mysterious death at the family’s grand mansion overlooking the Tequendama Falls, Antonia has spent years caring for her grief-stricken father while harboring suspicions about what truly happened that fateful day.
When the mansion is converted into a luxury hotel and her father is implicated in a gruesome murder there, Antonia is forced to confront her past. Flórez-Cerchiaro skillfully employs fragmented memories and recovered journal entries to create a disorienting experience that mirrors Antonia’s own confusion. As readers, we question alongside her: Was her mother’s death suicide, murder, or something more sinister connected to ancient forces?
The novel’s nonlinear revelation of truth builds tension masterfully, with each discovered journal entry or recovered memory shifting our understanding of events. This technique creates a reading experience where, like Antonia, we must piece together reality from unreliable fragments—a hallmark of the best psychological horror.
Atmosphere That Haunts Long After Reading
Flórez-Cerchiaro demonstrates exceptional talent in crafting atmosphere, particularly in her portrayal of the mansion itself. La Casona becomes a character in its own right—malevolent, watching, and seemingly conscious. The author’s sensory descriptions are particularly effective:
“The forest released the sound of a plethora of nocturnal ghosts, those who moved safely within the hug of the shadowed night, to the rhythm of the thunderous cascade.”
The persistent stench of decay that permeates the mansion, the ominous tapping of water against windows, and the oppressive mist that shrouds the waterfall all contribute to an environment dripping with dread. The way Flórez-Cerchiaro depicts the Tequendama Falls—beautiful yet deadly, sacred yet corrupted—exemplifies her ability to infuse settings with symbolic depth.
Cultural Depth and Historical Context
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its rich cultural foundation. Set in 1930s Colombia, “Bochica” offers readers insight into:
- The complex dynamics of Colombian society during this period, particularly the strict gender roles that limit Antonia’s opportunities
- The influence of the Catholic Church on education and social norms
- Indigenous Muisca mythology and spirituality existing alongside and sometimes in conflict with Catholic traditions
- Tensions between urban Bogotá and the rural landscapes where ancient beliefs hold stronger sway
The conflict between indigenous spiritual practices and imposed Catholic dogma creates a thought-provoking backdrop for the horror elements. Through Antonia’s position as a teacher at a Catholic girls’ school, we witness how religion often served as a tool of control, particularly over women’s lives and bodies.
Complex Female Characters in a Patriarchal World
“Bochica” presents a cast of complex, flawed women navigating a deeply patriarchal society. Antonia’s journey from dutiful daughter to independent woman forms the emotional core of the narrative. Her struggle between familial obligation and personal freedom resonates powerfully, especially as she confronts difficult truths about her mother’s life.
Estela Rubiano emerges as perhaps the most fascinating character through her journal entries—a woman whose ambitions and spiritual beliefs placed her at odds with societal expectations. Through Estela’s writings, Flórez-Cerchiaro explores how women’s power was often channeled into spiritual or esoteric realms when denied in public life.
The villainous Doña Pereira provides a dark counterpoint—a woman who has turned to malevolent forces to achieve the power society would otherwise deny her. These complex female characters and their varied responses to patriarchal constraints add psychological depth to what might otherwise be a straightforward horror tale.
Strengths and Limitations
What Shines:
- Atmospheric Mastery: Flórez-Cerchiaro excels at creating palpable tension and dread through sensory descriptions and eerie settings.
- Cultural Integration: The seamless blending of Colombian history, Muisca mythology, and Catholic influences creates a unique horror experience rooted in authentic cultural context.
- Complex Characters: The female characters, particularly Antonia and Estela, possess depth and agency that elevates them beyond typical Gothic heroines.
- Thematic Richness: The exploration of patriarchal control, colonialism’s lasting impacts, and the corruption of sacred spaces adds intellectual substance to the supernatural frights.
Where It Falters:
- Pacing Inconsistencies: The middle section occasionally drags as Antonia and Alejandro gather evidence, breaking the otherwise excellent tension.
- Peripheral Character Development: While the female characters receive nuanced treatment, some supporting characters, particularly Alejandro, feel somewhat thinly sketched in comparison.
- Rushed Resolution: The final confrontation with Doña Pereira feels somewhat abrupt after the meticulous buildup, leaving some emotional threads without full catharsis.
- Occasional Predictability: Certain revelations, particularly regarding Doña Pereira’s involvement, become evident to readers before Antonia discovers them, diminishing some potential surprise.
Gothic Horror with Fresh Cultural Dimensions
“Bochica” fits beautifully within the Gothic horror tradition while bringing fresh cultural dimensions to the genre. Readers will recognize classic Gothic elements:
- The isolated, seemingly sentient mansion
- Family secrets buried beneath respectability
- Female protagonists navigating patriarchal constraints
- The thin veil between natural and supernatural worlds
However, Flórez-Cerchiaro reinvigorates these tropes through their placement in Colombian context and integration with Muisca mythology. The svetyba entity offers a distinctive alternative to European concepts of demons or ghosts, while the waterfall setting provides a naturally ominous backdrop different from the typical Gothic castle or manor.
Fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s “Mexican Gothic” will appreciate similar elements of colonialism’s spiritual impact and indigenous beliefs persisting beneath Catholic veneer. Readers who enjoyed the blending of family secrets with supernatural horror in Isabel Cañas’s “The Hacienda” will find much to love in “Bochica.”
Final Verdict
Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro’s “Bochica” marks an impressive debut that succeeds on multiple levels. As Gothic horror, it delivers atmospheric chills and supernatural dread. As historical fiction, it offers insight into 1930s Colombian society and the lingering impacts of colonialism. And as a psychological thriller, it presents a compelling exploration of memory, trauma, and family secrets.
The novel’s few shortcomings—occasional pacing issues and some underdeveloped supporting characters—are easily forgiven in light of its substantial achievements. Flórez-Cerchiaro demonstrates remarkable talent in balancing supernatural horror with psychological depth and cultural resonance.
“Bochica” is particularly recommended for readers who:
- Appreciate Gothic horror with authentic cultural foundations
- Enjoy unreliable narrators and fragmented narratives
- Are interested in indigenous mythology and its intersection with Catholicism
- Seek horror that offers both atmospheric chills and intellectual substance
For a debut novel, “Bochica” shows remarkable assurance and distinctive voice. Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro establishes herself as a promising new talent in Gothic horror, one who brings fresh cultural perspectives to a beloved genre. Readers will eagerly anticipate what dark corridors her imagination will lead us down next.
