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

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Summary: A tragic novel of prohibited love.
Review: Like Water for Chocolate is the most romantic love story I have ever read. The imaginative, intriguing, and captivating thoughts of Laura Esquivel make you think how the recipes portray life and the series of steps we take. The book is filled with sadness, frustration, rebelliousness, and love from the characters. There is no other book like this from what I think. Everyone should read Like Water For Chocolate by Laura Esquivel.

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Summary: Spell-binding - could not put it down!
Review: Not only is the book captivating, it provides insight into family of origin. The book describes a very unique family structure that is worth analyzing from a psychological perspective.

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Summary: Tita interprets her emotions into the flavour of her dishes
Review: Tita's mother's foolish belief in the family tradition keeps Tita from love and happiness. Tita's cooking becomes her outlet in expressing her pleasures and displeasures. The feeling Tita puts into her cooking literally forces those around her to feel her passions, lust, sadness, and anger. The way Tita used her cooking made me hungry for more. Tita's mother became realistic to me because I found myself despising her for all the bad things she did to Tita. Tita is a warm-hearted and forgiving person who puts others needs before hers. I highly recommend this book to people who love reading about romance.

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Summary: A romantic love story consisting love, hate, lust, & passion
Review: This story is a story about the De La Garza family emphasizing on Tita's life during the turn of the century in Mexico. Tita is the youngest out of three daughters and because she is the youngest, tradition dictates that it is her obligation to care for her mother Mama Elena and not married until her mother dies. Unfortunately her situations gets worst. Tita falls in love with Pedro and she is doomed knowing that she can't marry him. Pedro Asked Mama Elena for Tita's hands in marriage and was denied but was offered the hands of Rosaura, Tita's older sister instead. Pedro willingly accepted this offer as way to get closer to his true love Tita. Tita De La Garza has always been an out going kid. She had a special talent and a love for food. She was born on the kitchen floor of their house and it is also the kitchen where she grows up in. She learns most of her cooking skills from the family cook Nacha who passes away later on in the story. As Nacha pass away, Tita becomes the head cook of the family. As time went on and Tita cooking the family's food, they discover that she has a hidden talent and magic with food. When everyone eats her food it affects every one in a certain way. Tita's love for Pedro never left her and now that they are living together it is much harder because Mama Elena and Rosaura is in the same house as them. Although when they are alone they can make magic happen, they can communicate their love, passion, and emotions with out even saying a single word. Unfortunately Tita gets trapped in a devastating situation where she must choose between a doctor who is madly in love with her and weather she should wait until the day she can marry Pedro. Her choice is revealed at the end of the story. This book is very interesting to me not only because of the story it self but how the book was written. Cooking recipes are metaphorically woven on every introduction paragraph of each chapter and directions for cooking were clearly stated. I also enjoyed the writing of Laura Equivel and how she expresses her tone in a melodramatic and yet earthy tone bringing the reader back in past of the characters. Not only did I learn good cooking instructions but I also learned some Mexican Traditions. The essence of the story will entice your appetite and your heart, it will make you cry, laugh, and capture your imagination. This romance story is far different than any other stories out there it is a simple book but an excellent one.

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Summary: incredible!
Review: A delightful book to say the least!!! Those who have loved as Tita has loved will completely understand. Those who do not understand it have no heart or imagination. Simple? Yes. Different? Yes. Bad or boring? No, definitely not. If you don't like it, go back to your tedious Grisham "literature".

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Summary: patuloy na tumitiba sa takilya! simply the best.
Review: i'm at a loss for words in describing this novel. no novel ever captured my imagination the way this novel did. this is the most interesting love story of all time. although there were beliefs in the novel that some may find offensive, immoral, the actions of the characters should be seen within the context of the story. this is the most engrossing novel one could ever find.

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Summary: the best book ever written
Review: this is the only book that i've read more than 8 times! i've also seen the movie 5 times and couldn't wait to watch it for another time. i first saw the movie (in a mini-film fest in university of the philippines) and tried to look for the book (and very thankful to a friend who first lent it to me -- of course, i have my own copy now). this is very original, entertaining, and romantic. a must for hopeless romantics like me.

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Summary: A wonderful love story; visually exceptional!
Review: I read this book when it was first published, have since re-read it and will undoubtedly read it a third time! For me, the characters came alive immediately! I experienced frustration with Tita's "bondage" and anger at her mother and sister. Some of the more humorous scenes are without peer. I was intrigued by the use of food preparation as an emotional outlet. The characters, humor and emotions are timeless. I have recommended the book to my four daughters and certain friends whom I thought would appreciate the unique theme and plot. It is one of my all-time favorites along with "The Stories of Eva Luna" and "Love in the Time of Cholera."

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Summary: Overall, very imaginative and captivating.
Review: What this book basically comes down to is SYMBOLISM! The recipes are NOT just thrown in- they represent life itself and the steps we must go through; however, life must be more than just "going through the motions"- to truely make these recipes invigorating to the tongue, Tita poured her soul in as well. Likewise, we need to jump into life and infuse our souls, or we are simply existing and not LIVING. It's a message shouted out clearly in this heartfelt tale; there is nothing worse than not being able to love whoever you want. It's an easy read and thoroughly entertaining. Go read it!

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Summary: Horrible, horrible, horrible, doesn't even provide much heat
Review: Summary in exactly than 50 words: A trashy romance novel with gratuitous and badly integrated recipes. Fantastical elements thrown in for the hell of it. Terrible in Spanish, horrible and cliched in English. Esta novela es para el "circular file." Only read it if your Spanish and or English professor forces you to. Save your money