In her debut novel “Bochica,” Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro plunges readers into a sumptuous yet sinister world of Colombian gothic horror that will leave you questioning what lurks beneath the surface of reality. Set in the 1930s Colombia, the novel weaves a tale of familial trauma, supernatural possession, and colonial wounds that fester beneath the opulent façade of a mansion overlooking the majestic Salto del Tequendama waterfall.
Flórez-Cerchiaro delivers a chilling narrative that combines the atmospheric dread of classic gothic literature with uniquely Colombian elements of folklore and mysticism. The result is a mesmerizing descent into darkness that both enchants and terrifies.
The Tapestry of Terror
At the heart of “Bochica” stands 26-year-old Antonia Rubiano, a woman caught between duty and desire. Working as a teacher at a Catholic girls’ school in Bogotá, Antonia supports her grief-stricken father while harboring dreams of escape. Her life has been shaped by tragedy—her mother’s mysterious death at their family mansion and her father’s subsequent mental decline. When the family’s former home is converted into a luxury hotel, Antonia reluctantly returns for its grand opening, only to find herself entangled in a web of murder, ancient cults, and supernatural forces.
The narrative unfolds with an exquisite sense of dread as Antonia confronts fragmented memories and discovers her mother’s hidden journals that reveal disturbing secrets about their family’s connection to the land and its indigenous history. The novel expertly blends historical fiction, mystery, and supernatural horror, creating a multidimensional reading experience that keeps you engrossed until the final page.
The Architecture of Fear
Flórez-Cerchiaro excels in her world-building, constructing a setting so vividly realized it becomes a character in its own right. La Casona, the five-story mansion built into the mountain overlooking El Salto del Tequendama, serves as more than mere backdrop—it pulses with malevolent energy:
“The house stood unbothered by their presence, with an all-new white exterior, a sweeping driveway, manicured freshly cut lawns, towering concrete columns, intricate stone carvings, and regal symmetry that gave it an air of sophistication that it didn’t have before, without giving up the original French style.”
The waterfall itself carries layered significance—a sacred site to the indigenous Muisca people, a natural wonder, and a site of violent colonial history. The author masterfully employs this setting to explore themes of colonialism, exploitation, and cultural appropriation. The house represents the European imposition on indigenous land, while the svetyba—the demonic entity that haunts the narrative—embodies the consequences of this desecration.
Character Complexity and Cultural Depth
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its richly drawn characters, especially the women who populate its pages. Antonia emerges as a compelling protagonist whose determination and resilience stand in stark contrast to the supernatural forces she confronts. Her journey from skepticism to belief, from powerlessness to agency, unfolds with psychological nuance.
Flórez-Cerchiaro delivers equally complex supporting characters. Estela, Antonia’s deceased mother, reveals herself through journal entries as both victim and perpetrator. Doña Pereira, the primary antagonist, transcends the one-dimensional villain trope to become a frightening representation of power’s corruption. The male characters, though less central to the narrative, still carry significant weight—particularly Ricardo, Antonia’s father, and Alejandro, a journalist with personal connections to the unfolding mystery.
The author’s integration of Muisca mythology and religious practices adds cultural depth rarely seen in gothic horror. The concept of Las Hijas de Bochica (The Daughters of Bochica)—a cult of women dedicated to protecting sacred land—and the svetyba demon entity create a mythological framework that feels authentic rather than appropriative. This cultural specificity elevates the novel beyond standard gothic fare.
Language and Atmosphere
Flórez-Cerchiaro’s prose style perfectly complements her subject matter—lush yet precise, evocative yet restrained. Consider this passage describing El Salto:
“The water churned and roared with an unsettling intensity, echoing off the sheer rock walls of the gorge with a hollow foreboding rumble. A tangle of twisted branches and dense underbrush seemed to close in on the small clearing.”
Her descriptions engage all senses, particularly smell, creating an immersive reading experience. The recurrent motif of the putrid odor emanating from the waterfall works effectively as both literal description and metaphor for the rot beneath the surface of colonial structures.
The author also demonstrates skill in building tension through pacing. She alternates between moments of quiet dread and explosive terror, creating a rhythm that keeps readers in a state of sustained unease.
Thematic Richness
Beyond its supernatural elements, “Bochica” explores several profound themes:
- Colonial Legacy: The novel interrogates how Colombia’s colonial past continues to haunt its present, with particular attention to the violence done to indigenous lands and beliefs.
- Female Agency: Through Antonia’s journey and the concept of Las Hijas de Bochica, Flórez-Cerchiaro examines women’s power in patriarchal societies and the price of ambition.
- Intergenerational Trauma: The narrative suggests that unaddressed wounds pass from one generation to the next, manifesting as literal hauntings.
- Environmental Desecration: The pollution of El Salto serves as both plot point and metaphor for humanity’s destructive relationship with nature.
These layers of meaning give the novel substantial intellectual heft beyond its horror elements.
Structural Strengths and Weaknesses
The novel’s structure—particularly its use of discovered journals and fragmented memories—effectively creates mystery while gradually revealing information. The dual timelines of Antonia’s present-day investigation and the supernatural events of her childhood interweave seamlessly, building toward a devastating conclusion.
Where the novel occasionally falters is in its pacing during the middle sections. Some revelations feel slightly repetitive, and certain secondary characters could be more fully developed. The romance subplot, while adding emotional depth, sometimes distracts from the central horror narrative.
Additionally, some readers may find the conclusion somewhat abrupt, though others will appreciate its refusal to provide easy answers. The novel leaves certain elements deliberately ambiguous, which feels appropriate given its themes but may frustrate those seeking complete resolution.
Cultural Impact and Significance
“Bochica” represents an important addition to the growing body of Latin American gothic literature. It joins works like Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s “Mexican Gothic” and Mariana Enriquez’s “Things We Lost in the Fire” in reclaiming the gothic tradition through a distinctly Latin American lens.
What distinguishes Flórez-Cerchiaro’s contribution is her specific engagement with Colombian history and mythology. By centering indigenous Muisca beliefs and confronting Colombia’s colonial wounds, she creates a narrative that feels both universal in its horror elements and culturally specific in its historical grounding.
Final Assessment
“Bochica” marks an impressive debut from a talented new voice in horror fiction. While it occasionally stumbles in pacing and character development, these flaws are easily overshadowed by the novel’s atmospheric power, thematic depth, and cultural significance.
Strengths:
- Immersive, atmospheric setting that blends historical detail with supernatural elements
- Complex female characters with genuine agency
- Thoughtful engagement with Colombian history and indigenous mythology
- Elegant, sensory prose that creates sustained dread
- Multilayered themes that elevate the narrative beyond typical horror fare
Weaknesses:
- Middle sections occasionally lag in pacing
- Some secondary characters remain underdeveloped
- Romance subplot sometimes distracts from the central horror narrative
- Conclusion may feel abrupt to some readers
For readers seeking atmospheric horror with cultural and historical depth, “Bochica” offers a captivating journey into darkness. Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro emerges as a promising new talent in the gothic horror tradition, one who skillfully balances terror with meaning, delivering a novel that both frightens and provokes thought.
This haunting tale of familial secrets, ancient evil, and colonial reckoning will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page—much like the svetyba itself, refusing to release its grip on your imagination.