Monstrilio
Currently unavailable
This book is sold out right now. Leave your email — we'll let you know if it comes back, and you'll get 10% off any book today.
In stock now — readers of this book also loved:
A mother raises her son's lung as a sentient monster in this literary horror debut.
Magos acts on maternal instinct and an old folktale by preserving Santiago’s lung. This organ grows into Monstrilio, who lives within the estate walls. The narrative spans multiple locations including Berlin and Brooklyn across four distinct acts. Cordova uses this structure to examine how familial love can become destructive when mixed with denial. The text focuses on the tension between Monstrilio's human appearance and his animalistic needs. Readers encounter a meditation on acceptance that avoids simple moralizing. The author qualifies as a debut novelist bringing fresh perspective to supernatural fiction.
The narrative is set in Mexico City and moves through Brooklyn and Berlin. It draws on old folktales and explores the decaying estate of a Mexican family. The work sits within the tradition of magical realism and literary horror, blending cultural folklore with modern emotional struggles.
📝 Description: Monstrilio
💎 Our verdict on Monstrilio
📖 Why choose it
Why this book is worth reading
Readers who appreciate literary horror that prioritizes psychological depth over jump scares will find this debut compelling. It suits those interested in exploring how familial love can become destructive when mixed with denial. The narrative offers a unique meditation on acceptance and the monstrous sides of loyalty, avoiding simple moralizing. Those who value beautiful prose and emotional rigor over fast-paced action or traditional monster hunting will gain the most. The book provides a precise portrait of humanity through its unconventional premise, inviting readers to linger on each sentence rather than rush through the plot.
⭐ Reader reviews
Reader rating
Gerardo Samano Cordova’s debut examines grief via magical realism, following Magos who preserves her son Santiago’s lung to create Monstrilio. This sentient organ grows within their decaying Mexico City home, later expanding to Berlin and Brooklyn across four acts. Cordova skillfully blends bold imagination with emotional rigor, highlighting the tension between Monstrilio's human appearance and animalistic needs. The text avoids simple moralizing, offering instead a complex meditation on acceptance. While it may not appeal to those seeking traditional monster hunting or action, it rewards readers who appreciate psychological depth and beautiful prose that demands lingering attention.
📖 Read on the blog
✍️ More books by this author Gerardo Samano Cordova
🏛 Books from this publisher HighBridge Audio
You might also like
See more →
Have a question about this item?
Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.
