Reviews

Like Water for Chocolate, by Laura Esquivel

readwithshaazia's review

3.0

The plot was a little twisted but this book is really addictive. I read it almost in a sitting.

kt15's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

• 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

milojean_reads's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.0

selenes_luna's review against another edition

mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

• 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

4.5

nadiahes's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

3.0

jospagess's review

read this for school... i have a complicated relationship with magical realism and translated works. i’m from latin america and i grew up reading all sort of stories like this one, they’re usually captivating and enchanting. but translated, these works lose their essence. i didnt like the ending but maybe it’s because i haven’t let this book really rest in my mind, i think there is more depth to every character than what i give them credit for.

zoes_human's review against another edition

1.0

Sigh ...

So I liked the magic bits, the writing style, and the food descriptions and analogies. And Gertrudis. I love Gertrudis. I'd like to read a whole book about her. She's an interesting and formidable woman.

But ...

I mean, dammit, why does almost every love story out there have to romanticize the same old fucked up dysfunctional relationships? Seriously, that shit is not love. Nor, even should love actually exist in those conditions, are those sorts of relationships healthy. It's pining and bullshit. It's the elevating of overly dramatic soi-disant passion over the peace and beauty of the genuine article.

Also, what's up with all the rape? Why is there rape in most romances? Not just the bodice-ripper rape, where he rapes her and then she's like "Oh okay, I love him", but even in less tawdry romance, it seems like somebody is always getting raped. Is it supposed to be a compare and contrast thing? This is rape and this is love. You know, to help make things clear for anyone who might be confused on the topic?

I hated the ending. Fucking hated it.

Spoiler

John actually loved her. John gave her a sense of peace and beauty. John cared enough about her to respect her agency, her choices, her well-being. So does she marry that guy? Noooooo. No fuck that. Let's marry the guy that is self-absorbed, selfish, and jealous. Because passion. Fuck that. Fuck all that.

terelee's review against another edition

3.0

Un clásico del realismo mágico que ya tiene 30 años. Siento que muchas de las críticas en Goodreads son respecto al machismo, al consentimiento, a la mirada básica del amor a primera vista pero no tienen en cuenta la época dónde viven los personajes (la revolución mexicana) ni la fecha de la publicación del libro. Dejando eso de lado me gustó, se lee rápido, es original, tiene buenos personajes, giros y un hermoso realismo mágico.

slvngrt's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

dravens_deathcrush's review against another edition

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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Sexual content

Moderate: Animal death, War, and Violence

Minor: Child death and Rape