Like Water for Chocalate

by Laura Esquivel

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1822

About the author

Laura Esquivel is a Mexican novelist, screenwriter, and former politician best known for her internationally acclaimed debut novel Like Water for Chocolate (Como agua para chocolate). Blending magical realism with deep cultural roots, the novel became a bestseller in Mexico and the United States and was adapted into a successful film that received multiple international awards. Originally trained in education and theater, Esquivel began her career writing for children’s television and later moved into cinema and literature, often weaving food, family, and emotion into her stories.
Esquivel’s fiction is known for its lyrical style and its exploration of love, tradition, and identity, frequently drawing on Mexican history and folklore. Her other novels include The Law of Love, Swift as Desire, and Malinche, which reimagines the story of the controversial historical figure linked to Hernán Cortés. She has also published essays on food and culture in Between Two Fires and returned to her most beloved character in El diario de Tita.
In addition to her literary work, Esquivel served as a deputy in the Mexican Congress for the Morena Party and has been active in cultural and environmental policy. Her writing continues to inspire discussions on gender, power, and the enduring bonds of heritage.

Reviews

[Jessica Soltero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the Magic Realism with food and love.

[duda · Rating 4 out of 5]

ai q guria burra alguém bate; quem q escolheria o chato do pedro ao invés do fofíssimo do john

[Sofi · Rating 3 out of 5]

El final lo odieeee, mientras yo siga viva Pedro siempre tendrá alguien que lo odie , el estúpido no valía tanto, la única que le daba valor al estúpido era Tita , nunca hizo nada por titaaa , nadaaaaaaa que con unas rosas ya la querías tener , además estando casado le imponía a tota que no se casará , que se cree el imbécil con imponerle cosas, no vale la pena en cambio el doctor que hizo todo y le trajo de vuelta a su felicidad y nunca la presiono para nada y cuando supo que Tita eligió a pedro solo se alejo ,sin nada mas , ademas los villanos no se mueren a si , estúpidos , fan número 1 de Gertrudis y el doctor, ademas Pedro solo debía cumplir con su deber nupcial una vez si tanto amaba a tita.
Odio a Pedro.ni plata tenía el estúpido.

[Larae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a wonderful re-read. Magic realism at its finest.

[Rebekah Byson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kept looking for the "jump to recipe" button. Honestly, not the greatest example of magical realism I've ever read. The supernatural or magical aspects felt absurd and had no metaphor, symbology or allusion to events in the text that readers expect from the genre. The love triangle (square?) was difficult to get interested in due to the questionable ages and near incestuous nature of it. The chronology kept jumping suddenly, and whole years and lifetimes would pass with near zero character development for any person in this family. The format of naming the 12 chapters as months of a year made no sense, considering there was no connection or continuity in the timeframes. The ending revealing a narrator that was never mentioned throughout reading from a cookbook felt like a cop-out from the author. This read more as bad early version of a food blog.

[Jayem · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the more unique traits about this book is that it intertwines recipes to each chapter and how that specific recipe delivers the emotional distress of the main character. At first I didn’t understand the necessity of explaining the actual process of the recipes until the very end but regardless, I didn’t mind it because I feel like it didn’t get too distracting from the story and I’m now inspired to attempt some of them.

I really enjoyed the tone and it’s beautifully written. It’s a quick read; took me about 6hours. I feel that you can’t take the book too seriously because there are some moments that are absurd (not that that’s a bad thing). But there is an important message to take away from all of it and I don’t think it’s about true love but rather the importance to challenge tradition and practice personal choice.

[Seven · Rating 2 out of 5]

what the fuck what the fuck what the fuck. genuinely the most batshit book i've ever read and that's not even the reason for the two stars. i don't think it was translated that well but i haven't read the original. it gets two stars because i thought some of the themes were quite interesting. it reminds me of the great gatsby in a way i don't care to elaborate on because i literally can't describe it any further than that.

[Kianna Hendricks · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ rounded down. Very unique and well written

[Stephania Cas · Rating 3 out of 5]

No me gustó, los odio Pedro y Tita✊🏻

[Bella Boo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found this book in a Little Free Library, and I'm glad I picked it up and read it. Such a lovely and sad story all at the same time. I really liked the movie too; the actress from "Bottle Rocket" plays the main character.