A review by nothingforpomegranted
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is a one-sitting book. Despite the short chapters that make it easy to set down, the propulsive, quick-moving story was satisfying all at once (though I would certainly consider assigning this in school).
Tita is the youngest daughter of her family, resented by her mother and put to work in the kitchen from infancy with no hope of leaving because tradition mandates that the youngest daughter is responsible for caring for her mother until her death.
This prevents Tita from marrying her young love, Pedro, who marries her sister instead in order to be close to her. Their mother continues trying to prevent their connection and sends the couple away, keeping Tita sequestered in their home.
The story proceeds quickly with time jumps that didn’t quite jibe with the monthly recipe structure of the novel, but it was fascinating to see relationships develop as decades passed and the slow introduction of magical realism.
Tita is the youngest daughter of her family, resented by her mother and put to work in the kitchen from infancy with no hope of leaving because tradition mandates that the youngest daughter is responsible for caring for her mother until her death.
This prevents Tita from marrying her young love, Pedro, who marries her sister instead in order to be close to her. Their mother continues trying to prevent their connection and sends the couple away, keeping Tita sequestered in their home.
The story proceeds quickly with time jumps that didn’t quite jibe with the monthly recipe structure of the novel, but it was fascinating to see relationships develop as decades passed and the slow introduction of magical realism.