Mariana Enriquez Publishes Essay on Latin American Gothic Horror and Contemporary Fears

Mariana Enriquez’s new essay, Conversación con la oscuridad, redefines Latin American horror by rooting it in historical trauma rather than supernatural fantasy. Published by Páginas de Espuma in November, the 272-page work dissects the region’s “theory of situated terror,” arguing that fear emerges from recognizable social distortions rather than imported gothic tropes Source: Infobae.

The Shift from Magical Realism

Enriquez draws a sharp line between her generation and the literary Boom. She argues that while magical realism possessed an optimistic nature tied to hopes for transformation, contemporary Latin American literature is defined by paranoia and decay Source: Infobae. This “gótico latinoamericano” reflects a continent where the promise of progress has failed, leaving ghosts of an unresolved past Source: Infobae.

Modern Monsters and Capitalism

The essay explores how monsters evolve with societal fears. Enriquez identifies technological billionaires as modern vampires, obsessed with immortality and power Source: El Mundo. She also links AI and robotics to Frankenstein myths, highlighting the anxiety that human creations may gain uncontrollable autonomy Source: El Mundo. Unlike classic folklore, these figures represent biopolitical threats and corporate transhumanism within the Buenos Aires suburbs Source: Infobae.

Critical Reception

Enriquez’s authority on the genre is underscored by her recent accolades, including the World Fantasy Award (2025) and the Ibero-American José Donoso Prize (2024) Source: Infobae. Her fiction, such as Nuestra parte de noche, already serves as a reference point for the genre she now theorizes Source: Infobae. The book promises to map the cultural anxieties of a region haunted by its history and captivated by apocalyptic futures Source: El Mundo.