Latin Flair Spotlight – Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water For Chocolate)
Most of us will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with boatloads of margaritas and guacamole among other delicious libations. But today I wanted to celebrate the folklore of Mexican culture in a different way.
It’s no wonder why Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquival became a best-seller when it was first published in Mexico in 1989. In it, Esquival skillfully interwove the ordinary with the extraordinary. She tells the tale of Tita, the youngest of three sisters who is dictated by family tradition to remain single for the rest of her life to take care of her mother. We witness the nurturing Tita’s struggle to be true both to family tradition and to her own heart. What ensues is a unique, entertaining and passionate story that starts off about love, life and food and then proves that all three are entwined and interdependent.
Get lost in this tasty slice of Mexican literature. Whether you buy it for the recipes at the start of every chapter or the tastefully written sexual energy of the characters’ romance, there’s a little something in this novel for everyone.
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Rosa — May 5, 2011 @ 5:39 am
An interesting book!
Happy Cinco de MAyo!
Cheers,
Rosa
5 Star Foodie — May 5, 2011 @ 8:04 am
Happy Cinco de Mayo, will check this book out, thanks!
Shonneky — May 5, 2011 @ 10:14 am
I love love love this book!!! I read it years ago and have loved it since then. I also have seen the movie based on the book and love it too. Thanks for such a great blog and for exposing more people to this novel.
Jackie — May 5, 2011 @ 10:44 am
One of the best books ever written!! Loved it.
Jackie
Lisa @ The Cooking Bride — May 5, 2011 @ 11:04 am
I love a good book! I will have to check it out.
Stephanie — May 5, 2011 @ 1:05 pm
I read this book and thought it was great!
Alexandra — May 5, 2011 @ 1:13 pm
Love this book – have read it several times in English and Spanish and am now inspired to read it again!
Thank you!
Marcella — May 5, 2011 @ 2:30 pm
I bought this (the spanish version!) but have to read it. Thanks for the inspiration!
Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic — May 5, 2011 @ 2:59 pm
One of my favorite books of all time! Movie was good too, but I prefer the book. Have you read The Incredible Sadness of Lemon Cake? Similar concept of being able to taste the emotions of whoever is cooking
Eliana replied: — May 5th, 2011 @ 3:18 pm
I saw The Incredible Sadness of Lemon Cake the other day in the book store and put it on my wishlist. I may have to bump it to the top because it sounded great.
nancy — May 5, 2011 @ 4:18 pm
The movie was also good!
elsie — May 6, 2011 @ 10:04 am
I have read the book in both English and Spanish; Laura Esquivel is a talented writer who captures the reader with incredible magical realism. I enjoyed the movie as well, except I would love to see it in Spanish; I have only seen the English dubbed one. I am your newest follower as well – I will be visiting your blog! I love to bake as well.
Yvette — May 6, 2011 @ 1:03 pm
It’s one of my favorite books!!!
Spike — May 6, 2011 @ 3:49 pm
love this book! ugh, I did nothing to celebrate yesterday- ate curry and Italian food. Fail on my part!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction — May 6, 2011 @ 10:20 pm
Oh my goodness!!! I read this book in my Spanish class in high school, and then we watched a movie version of it, as well. I was just thinking about it the other day, but couldn’t remember the name. I need to get another copy of it and read it again!
Xiaolu @ 6 Bittersweets — May 7, 2011 @ 2:52 pm
Wasn’t that made into a movie. Looks very interesting!
Brian @ A Thought For Food — May 7, 2011 @ 10:16 pm
After reading your review, I’m going to have to read it. Sounds like a marvelous book.
Emily — May 8, 2011 @ 9:21 pm
I’ve always wanted to read this, but I forgot about it. Thanks for the reminder! I’m going to buy a copy off of Amazon.
Baking is my Zen — May 10, 2011 @ 9:56 pm
Hope your holiday was great!
Bridgett — May 11, 2011 @ 6:20 pm
I loved that book when I read it years ago and I think I should read it again. A delightful book and definitely one worth sharing with friends.
Lori — May 16, 2011 @ 10:19 pm
I definately have to check out this book. Sounds like a great food culture read.