Like Water for Chocolate: A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies

The unique writing style is what I love most about this book. With each chapter associated with a particular recipe, it emulates an experience of helping in the kitchen with an aunt or grandmother: of sharing in her teachings of cooking and stories of family history at the same time, as it naturally happens in such an atmosphere of familial bonding. The frequent hyperbole, while so exaggerated ...more

The unique writing style is what I love most about this book. With each chapter associated with a particular recipe, it emulates an experience of helping in the kitchen with an aunt or grandmother: of sharing in her teachings of cooking and stories of family history at the same time, as it naturally happens in such an atmosphere of familial bonding. The frequent hyperbole, while so exaggerated that it takes the realism right out of the story, is quite refreshing, and indeed turns the plot into more of a legend than historical fiction, which I think is very appropriate.   hide

Captivating tale of a young woman yearning to be with the love of her life, but who can not because of a longstanding family tradition. There is a supernatural element embedded in this tale which emanates from the young woman's strong emotions and manifests in the 'magical' recipes she prepares. Each chapter encompasses a month of the year which makes for a nice, logical flow for...more

Captivating tale of a young woman yearning to be with the love of her life, but who can not because of a longstanding family tradition. There is a supernatural element embedded in this tale which emanates from the young woman's strong emotions and manifests in the 'magical' recipes she prepares. Each chapter encompasses a month of the year which makes for a nice, logical flow for the story. I found this book hard to put down and read it in one night. There is such a complex, yet simplistic writing style that is laced with powerful statements that usually close each chapter. I think the author fleshed out each character on a more emotional level, rather than by physical appearance...so I had to use my imagination on that end. Most memorable in this book is the sensuality in the love scenes where the characters are not even touching other.   hide

Film was much much better ...

Amazingly different. Its like a mexican soap opera, with magic and surrealism, with recipes mixed in. Love it.

A very romantic, sensual view of the traditions and the relationship of a Mexican family, the matriarch and her daughters. The way how the relationship with food reflects all the different feelings in the story is outstanding and so sexy. Loved the recipes as well.

The concept of a novel/cookbook was original, and I felt that the cooking aspect was wonderful. But I felt Pedro's "feelings" for Tita never went beyond lust and possessiveness. I really hoped for John, the man who cared for her, helped her, and saw her as an equal, to be the one she chose. Other than the cookbook, and reading about how the recipes were made by Nacha, Tita, and Chencha, the...more

The concept of a novel/cookbook was original, and I felt that the cooking aspect was wonderful. But I felt Pedro's "feelings" for Tita never went beyond lust and possessiveness. I really hoped for John, the man who cared for her, helped her, and saw her as an equal, to be the one she chose. Other than the cookbook, and reading about how the recipes were made by Nacha, Tita, and Chencha, the only salvations for this book were Chencha's triumph over the horrific thing that happened to her, Gertrudis' "happy ending", and the fact that nasty little Rosaura didn't live long enough to destroy her daughter Esperanza's life the way Tita's mother had done to Tita, and that Alex showed true love and devotion...something Pedro needed to understand.   hide

Each chapter of screenwriter Esquivel's utterly charming interpretation of life in turn-of-the-century Mexico begins with a recipe--not surprisingly, since so much of the action of this exquisite first novel (a bestseller in Mexico) centers around the kitchen, the heart and soul of a traditional Mexican family. The youngest daughter of a well-born rancher, Tita has always known her destiny: to...more

Each chapter of screenwriter Esquivel's utterly charming interpretation of life in turn-of-the-century Mexico begins with a recipe--not surprisingly, since so much of the action of this exquisite first novel (a bestseller in Mexico) centers around the kitchen, the heart and soul of a traditional Mexican family. The youngest daughter of a well-born rancher, Tita has always known her destiny: to remain single and care for her aging mother. When she falls in love, her mother quickly scotches the liaison and tyrannically dictates that Tita's sister Rosaura must marry the luckless suitor, Pedro, in her place. But Tita has one weapon left--her cooking. Esquivel mischievously appropriates the techniques of magical realism to make Tita's contact with food sensual, instinctual and often explosive. Forced to make the cake for her sister's wedding, Tita pours her emotions into the task; each guest who samples a piece bursts into tears. Esquivel does a splendid job of describing the frustration, love and hope expressed through the most domestic and feminine of arts, family cooking, suggesting by implication the limited options available to Mexican women of this period. Tita's unrequited love for Pedro survives the Mexican Revolution the births of Rosaura and Pedro's children, even a proposal of marriage from an eligible doctor. In a poignant conclusion, Tita manages to break the bonds of tradition, if not for herself, then for future generations. (From Publishers Weekly) This book definitely made it into my list of favorite books. I bought it and finished it in just 3 days. I was kind of stressed at that time, and needed a light reading to pump up my mood, so I quickly grabbed this book - which has been on my 'must read' list for a while.. And thank gawd for the book! It was truly a stress reliever (well, at least for 3 days *LOL* ;P). I'm still trying to get the movie though, would have to buy the original version for that one since it'll be a bit impossible to find the pirated version. The book tells of a very interesting and unique story of love and passion, entangled with food, recipes, myths, and superstitions... It is an enchanting read, really. Very poetic and lyrical. And Laura succeeded in keeping the storyline flowing as it should - steady with a few sparks, but not dragging at all. From the beginning 'til the end, I was drawn to the words. I simply can't put it down for long. After I put down the book, I couldn't help but think.. Whether it's love, sex, or even food; they're all connected to one thing: passion.. And one can leads to another, don't u think? =)   hide

I loved this book on many levels and for many reasons. But the one thing that really stood out was the visual imagery - stunning.

This book is an eccentric soup of romance, comedy, cooking, home remedies, and family tradition. Like Water for Chocolate is an adult fairy tale that shows how a magical passion for food can blend over into real life. Tita is a Mexican Cinderella who's fate is found in the kitchen. As the youngest daughter of the family, she is never to marry and to serve her mother for the rest of her life. ...more

This book is an eccentric soup of romance, comedy, cooking, home remedies, and family tradition. Like Water for Chocolate is an adult fairy tale that shows how a magical passion for food can blend over into real life. Tita is a Mexican Cinderella who's fate is found in the kitchen. As the youngest daughter of the family, she is never to marry and to serve her mother for the rest of her life. Just as any ill-fated story goes, Tita soon falls in love with a young man (named Pedro) against her mother's wishes. In order to be closer to Tita, Pedro marries her sister and an ill-fated romance begins. Dejected and heartbroken, Tita is forced to care of the family, but the tears and anger she cannot show are soon expressed in a different fashion...in her food. Being a fan of fairytale and folklore I found this book to be fun and whimsical. Esquivel's style is kept passionate and raw by highlighting events in everyday life. Food is especially important and provocative because, like sex, it is both a need and desire highlighted throughout the novel. I love the way she uses food to tell a story, matching the action with a recipe or home remedy. This not only shows the reader a slice of Mexican culture, but gives insight into how the little pieces of our lives are interwoven. Keep in mind, like any good fairy tale or soap opera, there are a lot of lessons to be learned concerning love, family, and being true to yourself. If your a fan of exaggeration or surrealism then Esquivel's story will have you laughing and cheering.   hide