Signal to Noise (Moreno-Garcia novel)

Signal to Noise is a 2015 debut novel by Mexican-Canadian author Silvia Moreno-Garcia. The story centers on Meche, a young woman in 1980s Mexico City who discovers she can perform magic using her favorite vinyl records.

The novel follows two timelines. In the 1980s, Meche, a socially awkward teenager, navigates the challenges of adolescence, including bullying, first love, and the complexities of her parents' dissolving marriage. She finds solace and power in music, discovering that specific vinyl records, when combined with carefully spoken incantations, allow her to cast spells. These spells range from small acts of revenge to more significant interventions in the lives of those around her.

The second timeline is set in 2009. Meche is now an adult, working as a telemarketer and haunted by the consequences of her youthful magic. She is estranged from her childhood best friend, Sebastian, and struggling to reconcile her past with her present. As she reconnects with figures from her past, she is forced to confront the choices she made and the damage her magic inflicted.

The novel explores themes of nostalgia, regret, the power of music, and the complexities of growing up. It examines how childhood dreams and magical thinking clash with the realities of adulthood. The “signal to noise” metaphor becomes relevant in the context of Meche's life, representing the struggle to discern truth from illusion, and meaningful connections from distracting influences. It also highlights the difficulty of filtering out the "noise" of life’s problems to focus on the "signal" of meaningful moments and genuine connections.

The title itself, Signal to Noise, refers to the ratio comparing the power of a desired signal to the power of background noise. In a broader sense, it suggests the challenge of finding meaning and clarity amidst the distractions and chaos of life.