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Summary: The most rivoting love story yet...
Review: LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE is a Mexican love story based on the forbidden love between two individuals who are trying to overcome their strong traditional background in order to be together. Laura Esquivel writes her first novel in metaphorical installments that incorporate traditional mouth watering Mexican recipes in each chapter as a way of demonstrating the joys of love, sex, magic and food. The story is set in Piedras Negras during the Mexican revolution. It focuses on the life of Tita De La Garza, the youngest of three daughters, who is not able to marry anyone as she must look after her mother until she dies. However, this soon becomes a problem as she falls madly in love with Pedro Muzquiz, a man who once promised to love her forever. Pedro and Tita desperately wish to leave Piedras Negras and share their lives together, but tradition and respect prevents them from doing so. Pedro longs to be with Tita but is unable due to her mother's strong beliefs, and therefore agrees to marry her sister Rosauria, as a way of being near Tita. This only causes jelousy, bitterness and confusion to take over the whole household. Esquivel has written a marvellous novel that combines passion, love, sex, jelousy and shame while comparing different life events with the wonderous textures found in Mexican recipes. LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE is a compelling love story that will leave you with a better understanding of ever lasting love, strong family connections and exquisite Mexican cuisine.
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Summary: "Like Water for Chocolate"
Review: Raunchy, sensual, romantic, delicious and mystical are all words that can be used to describe "Like Water for Chocolate". Laura Esquivel writes "Like Water for Chocolate" and it is set in the late 1800's. This novel is based around recipes and forbidden love, yet when the ingredients are united, devious and unusual flavours surface. This classic love story takes place on the De La Garza ranch, which is run by Mama Elena, a bitter, egotistical and spiteful old woman. The ranch sits on the border of Mexico.The book tells us about a romance that occurs between Tita De La Garza, the youngest daughter of Mama Elena and a man named Pedro. However Tita being the youngest girl has the fate, which is dictated by family tradition, of looking after her mother until she dies. This means that she is to remain single. Tita has grown up in the kitchen along side of Nacha, the cook, and has learnt all the family recipes and home remedies. Tita, being not only born in the kitchen, but being where spent most of her childhood, becomes a master and head chief of the ranch. When Pedro, Tita's admirer, asks her mother for her hand in marriage, her mother refuses and tells Pedro of the loyalty that Tita has to her mother. However, Mama Elena offers Tita's older sister Rosaura. Pedro accepts because he thinks that it is the only way he will be close to Tita. The only way he is able to stay close to his one true love. When Pedro marries Rosaura, Tita begins a life filled with passion, deception, irritation and pure love. Throughout the novel are recipes, which provide metaphorical interpretation on the characters and their culture. There is also the food that Tita creates as the head cook on the family ranch, the food is so vibrant and sensual it affects on anyone who eats it. The characters in the novel were realistic and believable. However one character stood out above all the rest. She stood out because of the way she was described and the way she was portrayed. Overall, the author effectively described each and every one of the characters in the novel. When I first started reading "Like Water for Chocolate" I didn't completely understand it, however the more I read it; the more I fell in love with the novel. The forbidden love and the recipes were what inspired me to read on. This is a novel that is worth while reading and is one the best novels I have read for many years. The novel combines longing, love, frustration, rebellion and food all the way throughout the novel. All these put together; along with the supernatural input, makes for funny, sad and direct story told by Tita's grand niece. I give this novel a 4 out of 5 because I disliked the ending and I thought that more could have come out of it. However, overall a must read novel of the year.
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Summary: Like Water For Chocolate
Review: Laura Esquivels first novel has become a best seller as well as a major film Like Water For Chocolate, 222 pages of magical realism, a recipe of mouth watering cooking mixed with forbidden love and family traditions Two young teenagers, Tita and Pedro fall deeply and passionately in love. Unfortunately Tita's mother's strong family traditions forbid her of this love as she is destined to care for mother till the day she dies. When Rosaura, Tita's older sister marries her true love, Pedro weird, strange and unexplainable events begin to happen. Like Water For Chocolate is a light reading, novel, it will make you want to keep reading right to the end. Laura portrays the settings in thee book in such detail you can imagine that you are right their with the characters.
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Summary: " A UNIQUE AND MAGICAL NOVEL"
Review: Like water for hot chocolate is a clever and compelling novel, which is enticing and hard to put down. Laura Esquivel has struck success with her first novel as it involves a diversity of emotions. Forbidden love, mystical food and family traditions are all mixed together with a hint of magical realism and a dash of descriptive metaphors which creates a classic tale of romance ensuring a best seller. In a small town in Mexico near the Rio Grande lives the De La Garza family. Tita, the youngest daughter of the family if forbidden to marry her one true love. All due to a Mexican family tradition which condomnes Tita to taking care of the spiteful Mama Elena until the day she dies. Instead of Pedro marrying Tita, Mama Elena offers him one of her other daughters called Rosaura. Pedro painfully accepts the offer in the hope that he can become closer to Tita. This starts many bizzare and wonderful events which occur throughout the book, alluring you to read ahead. Each character has their own complex and diverse personality. Mama Elena repulsed me with her selfish way of thinking while I admired Tita for being strong. The storyline is easy to follow and has a delightful hint of comedy attached to it. The language is very descriptive enabling you to visualise the story, setting and feelings. Definitely worth reading, good for a laugh and a cry while having a pull on your heart strings. A perfect recipe for true romantics.
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Summary: Like Water For Chocolate - Novel Review
Review: A romantically heartbreaking novel, which is sure to affect you emotionally, in one of the most moving ways. The tale itself will no doubt change the way you feel about true love and family traditions. "Like Water For Chocolate" is a realistic yet magical novel, set during the Revolution during the early 20th century. It deals with the forbidden love of two people, Tita and Pedro, as a result of strong family traditions enforced by Tita's mother, Mama Elena. In desperation to see Tita a decision is made on Pedro's behalf. However, it is entirely up to you, on whether you agree or disagree with Pedro's final decision. "Like Water For Chocolate" was written by Laura Esquivel and was her first novel. However, the novel was previously published as "Like Water For Hot Chocolate." As a result of Laura's wide use of descriptive words people, places and events can be created so vividly, successfully forming clear images of the time and style that the novel reflects. Reasonably short, interesting and raunchy chapters mark the end and beginning of a new month. This is also represented with the addition of a single traditional Mexican recipe, at the start of each month, over a twelve month period. All of the characters in this novel are realistically believable and it is very easy to understand and relate to the amount of pain that one of the most likeable characters, Tita experiences. The selfishness and bitterness of certain characters, however, does encourage you to take a dislike to them and be repulsed by their attitudes and actions. All in all, "Like Water For Chocolate" is a very emotional novel, which is quite easy to follow. However, due to the author having dealing with love in a less obvious way, commonly through traditional recipe's, some readers may find the novel slightly confusing. "Like Water For Chocolate" is a touching and appealing novel, that is definitely worth reading.
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Summary: Secrets of Romance and Tasty Tit-Bits
Review: Like Water For Chocolate is an enchanting, wondrous novel set to capture the heart of the reader. The secrets of the life of young, mexican woman Tita De La Garza are revealed in funny, romantic and tasty ways. When Tita and Pedro set eyes on each other it is love at first sight, but as the air to a cruel family tradition Tita is denied the right to marry. A forbidden love between the two forces bossy, selfish Mamma Elena to act fast. For the next 22 years Tita and Pedro are condemmed to hover in a forbidden love. With the help of metaphors the novel paints the developement of a young wild teenage girl to a young woman wallowing in romance, magic, food and irresistable characters. Set on a typical ranch in Mexican history revolving around family, weddings, food and men on horseback. An easy to follow book presenting magical ideas, jogging the imagination. Worthwhile to read as you get lost in the plot and the muddled life of the De La Garza family.
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Summary: A Truly Satisfying Banquet Of Forbidden Love
Review: Like Water For Chocolate is an enchanting, romantic, mystical masterpiece full of raw emotions- sensuality, deception, lust and rebellion. This vibrant best-selling phenomenon complete with simple language, is the first novel by the Latin American author Laura Esquivel. This raunchy original story in monthly portions, takes you through an apocalyptic journey along with Tita, as she searches for authority and justice. As the youngest daughter of an all-female family, Tita De La Garza falls victim to the tradition which states that she is unable to wed her one true love- Pedro. Instead, Tita must tend to all her tyrannical mother's needs for the rest of her life and simply watch as her sister Rosaura romances her soul mate..... Set during the changing times of the Mexican Revolution, you'll be conveyed into a world full of rich Mexican culture. The exotic descriptions of Tita's intense culinary creations will leave your mouth watering. The images of a denied relationship between two star crossed lovers will provoke your senses, as the brand of magical realism speaks for itself. When all the ingredients are combined, the mature flavours of a thrilling ending emerge, placing the entire novel into perspective. A hearty, piquant tale for lovers everywhere.
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Summary: Food, Romance and sex
Review: Like Water for Chocolate, written by Laura Esquivel is a romantic story about forbidden love. It is set in old Mexico, and carries the rich traditional flavours of Mexico. This magical story is based around the all female De La Ganza family. Tita, the youngest daughter of the family has the responisbility to look after her mother until she dies. This is a strong Mexican tradition and it means that Tita is forbidden to marry until her mother dies. Tita falls deeply in love with Pedro, a family friend. Desperate to be in Tita's presence Pedro marries Rosura, Tita's older sister, this is the only way that Pedro can be close to Tita. The next twenty two years are torture for Tita and Pedro as they are forced to hold back thier temptation for one another as they pass at the ranch. A mixture of magic, love and determination eventually break the barrier betweeen Tita and Pedro and they are set free to live their lives the way they want. The storyline in this novel is great, it is easy to follow and is filled with many wonderful and depressing emotions. The novel holds suspence and enhances laughter and tears. Laura Esqquivel, the author, ahs done a marvellous job at creating realism throughout the novel. You will have a visual picture in your mind of the settings of Mexico and the characters. All the characters are believable you will instantly grasp an opinion of them within the first chapter of the novel. I think Like Water for Chocolate is an excellent novel that is worth while reading. I am sure that you will obtain something form reading it.
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Summary: like water for chocolate
Review: Like water for chocolate Laura Esquivel Like water for chocolate are 222 pages of excitement love and betrayal. This novel is about a mother who firmly follows family tradition. This book has a great sense of magical realism and metaphors. Laura Esquivel has combined a young girl's intense feeling of love and sexual desire for a taken man; this is shown through her cooking. With this easy to follow story line you will get lost in the strong emotions this book will make you laugh cry feel joy and also have an immense feeling of emptiness. The author captivates the reader with deeply described scenery. As well as the scenery the characters are in-depth and believable. During the course of the novel you will get to know each and every character like you know the back of your own hand. When they breathe you breathe. A great novel to rug up with on any night you wont be able to put it down this novel captivates any reader with its intense writing style. The cooking is just the tip of the iceberg; it goes deep into the depths of every reader soul. It will make you feel that you are there with the characters going through what they are going through, feeling what they are feeling, aching when they are aching. You will love this book as it is a novel a bout real people and real tradition 5 stars Written By Lee
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Summary: So close but yet so far away
Review: Like water for chocolate is a story that captures your heart and tastebuds as it is full of Mexican cooking recipes and uses food as a symbol of love. The metaphoric images and the home remedies make your mind run wild. As you read the love story you are taken in by the magical realism and mystery of the novel. Laura Esquivel shows her talents of using words with such strong and passionate meanings which take your breath away and bring you into the heart of the story where you can experience the love that Tita has for Pedro. This tale is about tradition and it allows you to experience the pain and joy of loving but not being able to have the one that you love. Throughout the novel the magical and describing words take you to the place and time in which the story is set, in Piedras Negras which is in Mexico around the period where the Mexican revolution had taken place, 1989-1920s. Like water for chocolate is a story about a girl named Tita who cannot marry because of tradition. Her life revolves around food and the kitchen creating a delicious and mouth watering story which will satisfy everyone's tastebuds. This easy to follow storyline takes you on a trip around the world of emotions, making you experience feelings of joy, laughter, hunger, sadness, love and suspense. As the story unfolds you are taken into the life of Tita and are able to experience the feelings and emotions of lust, sadness, jealousy, despair, confusion, frustration and anger. Throughout the novel the characters come alive in your mind allowing you to recognise their individual personalities and liked or disliked qualities. This story is definitely worth reading as it makes you experience the feeling of wanting something that you cannot have. This romantic tale is not only strawberry ice-cream but strawberry ice-cream with a cherry on top. Like water for chocolate is a love story that knows no boundaries and it brings a new meaning to the saying that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
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