mangopassion555's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Minor: Violence, Rape, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Death, Fatphobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Infidelity
asolis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Fatphobia, Pregnancy, Death, Infertility, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Animal death, Sexual assault, Child death, Death of parent, War, and Violence
damacyroll's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The strong theme of cooking, and that each chapter is based on a different recipe, was also something I enjoyed. I found myself wanting to make note of each recipe to try for myself, although without the powers of Tita's to influence whatever dish she makes my results will probably be much different.
In terms of plot however, maybe because I can't help but it read it from a 21st century point a view, there were specific plot points that I didn't enjoy. Pedro the male lead is that specific kind of intense dominant male that I no longer find myself falling for. Tita's decisions frequently left me frustrated as I felt that they were the wrong choices, but another person just as well might find them the right ones.
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, Child death, and Death
draven_deathcrush's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Animal death, War, and Violence
Minor: Child death and Rape
dylando349's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, Vomit, Violence, Rape, Death, Mental illness, and Excrement
belladonnashrike's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
the way it’s written is really unique, I loved reading the recipes sprinkled throughout the romance.
Spoiler
I forgot that he died post-nut like that oh my god. the deaths in this book are so fucking funnyModerate: Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Death, and Rape
Minor: War, Fatphobia, Racism, and Violence
karol99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Child death, Sexual content, Fatphobia, Grief, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Violence, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, Miscarriage, and Abandonment
Minor: Physical abuse
rieriereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"It was very pleasant to savor its aroma, for smells have the power to evoke the past, bringing back sounds and even other smells that have no match in the present."
I didn't know pretty much anything about this book aside from the description (which I don't recommend on doing. There may be themes included that might make you uncomfortable), and when I finished it the next day I knew that Like Water For Chocolate is one of the books I would have a hard time reviewing. There are parts that I loved, and parts also that I hated. Basically, I have a love-hate relationship with this.
The things I loved:
- The recipes included in the beginning of each chapter. It gives me a sense of nostalgia of my early memories with my late grandmother who loved to cook, eat, and talk about food and recipes.
- The inclusion of magical realism in the book. This could be a hit or miss, but I really liked it (I may be biased since I had happened to realise I like books that includes magical realism, haha).
- And lastly, the paragraphs/lines that made me stop reading in order to reflect my emotions, write down my thoughts/rants. It made me compare the De La Garza family to mine.
The things that I hated:
- The ending felt flat, and although I sensed it in advance (and had even prepared myself) it still disappointed me. If it was different, I feel that I would have rated this 4 stars instead of 3.75 (still a good read in the end though).
- The pacing and writing, although this is my first Laura Esquivel book, I love how she made me feel different emotions through the whole journey. Unfortunately, there are parts that felt dragged, flat, and simply "meh" that made me skip paragraphs.
Like Water For Chocolate is overall a good read. I could see myself rereading this again, not soon though, maybe in a year or two. I would recommend to anybody who loves magical realism, short stories, and food (especially food). I would recommend though checking the trigger warnings first before starting.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Racism, and Rape
Moderate: Violence and Sexism
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage
charlotteih's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Physical abuse
Minor: Racism, Racial slurs, Violence, Rape, Vomit, Confinement, War, and Forced institutionalization
colombian_gothic's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Grief
Moderate: Animal death, Mental illness, Infertility, Child abuse, Sexual content, Child death, Violence, War, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual assault, Racism, and Forced institutionalization