Reviews tagging 'Animal death'

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

21 reviews

tashtasher's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0


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motherofpearly's review against another edition

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Mixed emotions about this book. Loved how the rich imagery made me feel like I was in the kitchen with Tita. The author took care in describing each flavor, aroma, and cooking technique. I loved how Tita’s emotions infused with each dish and magically affected those who ate it.

However I felt that the meals were more developed than the characters, and many large plot points were skimmed over. A few times I had to re-read sections to make sure I didn’t miss a page or two. Ultimately  I had little emotion about the romance, heartbreaks, or traumas that any of them experienced. 

Also I found the spicy scenes to be boring and sometimes creepy. Especially the first time between
Tita and Pedro which I expected to be more passionate since the sexual tension had been building up to a boing point. One night, he decided to hide in a dark room, and pop out unexpectedly when she came in. Startled, she asked what he was doing, and he answered by “throwing himself upon her, caused her to lose her virginity and learn of true love”.
Super creepy and made me feel uneasy. Don’t even get me started on Gertrudis
losing her virginity on horseback after being found naked in a field by a man who literally tracked her down by her magical scent.
Probably could have done without reading this book, but it was definitely memorable 


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kirstym25's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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kaiaconstantinides's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I loved how the food was affected and affected others based on Tita's emotions or their relationship with Tita (e.g., Mama Elena finding food prepared with Tita's care bitter). In general, I appreciated the novelty (novelty for me at least, I'm not sure if other books out there do this as well) of having each chapter centered around a recipe that is interwoven with the story. I mostly enjoyed the first half of the book. 

I was confused by the decision to make each chapter a month since years sometimes separate chapters and the months don't seem to correspond to the chapter, unless perhaps each recipe corresponds to a month and I just missed that? I really wish there was better character development: the characters felt almost cartoonishly two-dimensional to me, and any development seemed to happen like the switch of a lightbulb.

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phantomgecko's review against another edition

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emotional informative lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a quick read, and I enjoyed it.

I am disappointed that Tita didn't choose John, tbh. Lusty passion and jealousy should always lose out to serenity and compassionate devotion. But whatevs fine.


I just really love magical realism. Here are some things that are impossible, but this is a true story so they happened. Great stuff.

I'll admit I mostly skimmed the cooking bits. But honestly, they were a fantastic device for storytelling.

Also, while this book is labeled as lighthearted, it had some heavy stuff. Like gut punches in one sentence and moving on with the next. Kinda disconcerting but still a likeable read.

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asolis's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0


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damacyroll's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • 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

Like Water for Chocolate is the perfect example of magical realism blurring the lines between fantasy and reality. The fantastical nature of the everyday is highlighted in every chapter, and that alone makes the writing a joy to read. 

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.


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draven_deathcrush's review against another edition

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mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • 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

I had to read this for my HIGHSCHOOL english class. I hated it. Asexual panic the whole way through.

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mags_'s review against another edition

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emotional informative mysterious medium-paced
  • 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

3.0


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cassielaj's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This story is so fascinating. I love the inclusion of recipes and the matter-of-fact approach to the supernatural and magical elements. At its heart, this is a story of love and family, of a woman who wanted more for herself than what her family traditions dictated, and of the power of a good (or bad) meal. You won’t read anything else like it

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