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A review by yuripiano
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
Sometimes, you read a book that really make you stop and say "wow," and to this book's credit, I did that several times.
Unfortunately, this was mainly because I was astounded at how ridiculous this book was.
I don't really think it's a bad book, but, it's definitely not a book for me, I suppose? I just, like... GAH, I've never been so frustrated with a book before (outside of maybe Good Omens).
The magical realism? Like. Wow. Just. I don't see how it added anything to the story, which is weird because a lot of events happened because of the magical realism fueled things, but like...
...
there wasn't.. really.... a point to it? To any of it?
Like, the cooking and the recipes and stuff did nothing for the story itself, in my opinion, and then suddenly people would have some great emotional effect from eating the food, but to what end? Idk, I can't even coherently phrase why I disliked this book so much without massive spoilers for everything in the book, but I guess I can sum it up as:
This book markets itself as "A novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies". If this book were just a novel, that could have been interesting. If it were just a set of 12 recipes, one for each month, with descriptions and home remedies thrown in, it would be a culturally unique cookbook of sorts. Instead we got a disappointing mix of these alongside one of the most infuriating romances I've ever read. That said, there's a review on the back of the book likening it to a "soap-opera romance", and I guess if that's your jam, then this might be an okay read for you.
Maybe my mom would like this book, but, I just.. couldn't recommend it for any reason.
Still an easier read than Good Omens though.
Unfortunately, this was mainly because I was astounded at how ridiculous this book was.
I don't really think it's a bad book, but, it's definitely not a book for me, I suppose? I just, like... GAH, I've never been so frustrated with a book before (outside of maybe Good Omens).
The magical realism? Like. Wow. Just. I don't see how it added anything to the story, which is weird because a lot of events happened because of the magical realism fueled things, but like...
...
there wasn't.. really.... a point to it? To any of it?
Like, the cooking and the recipes and stuff did nothing for the story itself, in my opinion, and then suddenly people would have some great emotional effect from eating the food, but to what end? Idk, I can't even coherently phrase why I disliked this book so much without massive spoilers for everything in the book, but I guess I can sum it up as:
This book markets itself as "A novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances, and Home Remedies". If this book were just a novel, that could have been interesting. If it were just a set of 12 recipes, one for each month, with descriptions and home remedies thrown in, it would be a culturally unique cookbook of sorts. Instead we got a disappointing mix of these alongside one of the most infuriating romances I've ever read. That said, there's a review on the back of the book likening it to a "soap-opera romance", and I guess if that's your jam, then this might be an okay read for you.
Maybe my mom would like this book, but, I just.. couldn't recommend it for any reason.
Still an easier read than Good Omens though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content