katreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
“Life had taught her that it was not that easy, there are few prepared to fulfill their desires whatever the cost, and the right to determine the course of one’s own life would take more effort than she had imagined.”
This delightful story begins with Tita, and the love of her life marrying her sister. Told month-by-month as Tita prepares traditional Mexican recipes, this story is infused with magic, hope and first love. I loved all of the parts with Gertrudis - she was so much fun. There were some bittersweet moments, but a beautiful, satisfying read.
This delightful story begins with Tita, and the love of her life marrying her sister. Told month-by-month as Tita prepares traditional Mexican recipes, this story is infused with magic, hope and first love. I loved all of the parts with Gertrudis - she was so much fun. There were some bittersweet moments, but a beautiful, satisfying read.
alialicece's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cannibalmukbang's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
missloriareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lucrezi's review against another edition
3.0
It reads just like a fairytale, which I like. It’s written in a similar style to [b:Annabel|7984373|Annabel|Kathleen Winter|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328033308l/7984373._SY75_.jpg|12434360] in that a lot of the events and conversations are told to the reader, rather than depicted as full dialogue with double quotes—very atmospheric and sensual. It fits the subject matter of the novel.
That’s why it would’ve been a delightful twist that, rather than ending up with Pedro, her first sweetheart with whom she shares turbulent passions and emotions, she instead marries John Brown, the mature doctor who makes her feel calm and safe. Unfortunately she calls off her engagement with the doctor and waits 20 years to finally fully consummate her relationship with Pedro and it ends in their deaths.
I suppose you could pull a message from that and John Brown’s earlier passage about matches, but I didn’t feel very good about the ending so I didn’t bother to think about it too much. Maybe I was too invested in it as a fairytale, where the main character lives happily ever after with someone who is truly good to and for her, because Pedro’s jealousy and behavior are too childish for a legitimate relationship.
ANYWAY
At different points, Tita’s cooking contained her blood and tears. I was waiting for her to incorporate sweat so I could laugh at the unintentional BTS reference.
DONE
That’s why it would’ve been a delightful twist that, rather than ending up with Pedro, her first sweetheart with whom she shares turbulent passions and emotions, she instead marries John Brown, the mature doctor who makes her feel calm and safe. Unfortunately she calls off her engagement with the doctor and waits 20 years to finally fully consummate her relationship with Pedro and it ends in their deaths.
I suppose you could pull a message from that and John Brown’s earlier passage about matches, but I didn’t feel very good about the ending so I didn’t bother to think about it too much. Maybe I was too invested in it as a fairytale, where the main character lives happily ever after with someone who is truly good to and for her, because Pedro’s jealousy and behavior are too childish for a legitimate relationship.
ANYWAY
At different points, Tita’s cooking contained her blood and tears. I was waiting for her to incorporate sweat so I could laugh at the unintentional BTS reference.
DONE
morgzpeter's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting book that uses magical realism. It was a little slow at first, but it picked up and was a very interesting read, unlike any book I've read before.
appletonkelli's review against another edition
1.0
Well.
That was.....different.
Okay the good; the writing style is unusual and engaging. The format of a diary/cookbook adds a depth to the story line that was sorely needed in light of what a sad and sorry tale it was.
It reminded me of Love in the Time of Cholera. This is not a compliment since I despise that book with an intensity that is unrivaled. Okay, mostly unrivaled. It might be rivaled by the self absorbed, horny obsession in Love in the Time of Cholera and it might even be rivaled by the self absorbed, horny obsession in Like Water for Chocolate.
Everyone in this book is lusting after something they would be better off without. Even the good people are lusting after something.And they are all ruining innocent lives with their selfishness. Except for the aunt from America. I actually liked her character. Too bad she was only in the book for a couple of paragraphs. And I liked the doctor even if he was a fool. And I like the cook who raised Tita. I pretty much disliked everyone else.
That was.....different.
Okay the good; the writing style is unusual and engaging. The format of a diary/cookbook adds a depth to the story line that was sorely needed in light of what a sad and sorry tale it was.
It reminded me of Love in the Time of Cholera. This is not a compliment since I despise that book with an intensity that is unrivaled. Okay, mostly unrivaled. It might be rivaled by the self absorbed, horny obsession in Love in the Time of Cholera and it might even be rivaled by the self absorbed, horny obsession in Like Water for Chocolate.
Everyone in this book is lusting after something they would be better off without. Even the good people are lusting after something.And they are all ruining innocent lives with their selfishness. Except for the aunt from America. I actually liked her character. Too bad she was only in the book for a couple of paragraphs. And I liked the doctor even if he was a fool. And I like the cook who raised Tita. I pretty much disliked everyone else.
kahlialeshae's review against another edition
4.0
If you need a quick and engaging read to pick you up from your slump, this is it! This is a family drama mixed with a romance and I ate it up entirely. It also has so many jaw dropping moments, literally on page two you will say wtf. My only issue is I started to dislike the main love interest about half way through and it’s a huge part of the story so I couldn’t vibe as fully as I wanted to.