45 pages • 1 hour read
Velvet Was the Night
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Book Brief
320
Novel • Fiction
Mexico City • 1970s
2021
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Set in Mexico City in 1971 during the Corpus Christi Massacre, Velvet Was the Night chronicles the intertwining lives of Maite Jaramillo, a discontented secretary drawn into political turmoil after her neighbor Leonora disappears, and Elvis, a member of the paramilitary group Hawks seeking Leonora for her incriminating photos, exploring themes of class, gender, and political power. This book discusses murder and misogynistic language.
Mysterious
Dark
Suspenseful
Melancholic
Gritty
Reviews & Readership
30,089 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a compelling noir tale set in 1970s Mexico. Reviewers praise its atmospheric setting and richly drawn characters, especially the complex, flawed protagonists. However, some found the pacing uneven and felt the narrative lacked in suspense. Overall, it is celebrated for its evocative prose and historical depth, appealing to fans of both noir fiction and historical novels.
Who Should Read Velvet Was the Night?
A reader who enjoys Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia would likely appreciate gritty, noir thrillers with a historical context. Fans of The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler or The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón will be captivated by the dark, atmospheric storytelling and complex characters that navigate 1970s Mexico.
30,089 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Elvis/Ermenegildo
Elvis/Ermenegildo
A young man from a low-income neighborhood who joins a group called the Hawks; he aspires to rise in social status and seeks community and identity, eventually connecting with Maite.
Rubén Morales
Rubén Morales
A member of the radical art collective Asterisk and Maite’s love interest for much of the novel; he works in a printing shop and is involved in the sociopolitical movements of the time.
El Mago/Leonardo Trejo
El Mago/Leonardo Trejo
The leader of the Hawks and Leonora’s uncle, he is a powerful figure known for his control and deception, influencing several characters' lives and actions throughout the story.
320
Novel • Fiction
Mexico City • 1970s
2021
Adult
18+ years
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