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ftxhb's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
narcissia's review against another edition
2.0
I had to read this for a women's lit class. The writing and the magical realism were fine, and there were parts of the book that I thought were smart. It just wasn't really my thing.
atnea's review against another edition
5.0
Very well indeed. I loved this book. The poor Tita had to live a life where she couldn't get married. She had to take care of her mother until the day she died.
I think the book was excellent. I liked the way she incorporated recipes to the story, not only giving you the principal recipe but some other thing to cover. Also, I think that after all that happened she had her closure, with that beautiful kind-of-sad ending.
One thing that totally surprised me to read but was also delightful, was the exaggeration she used to describe some things or feelings. Like, for example, when she described all the tears they shed, or the heat they felt. I though that she managed all those parts very well. I though that the descriptions where precise and beautiful, sometimes even funny.
I absolutely loved this book, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a great book that will make you laugh and maybe even cry. Of course, maybe for the most little you wouldn't let them read this one, but it's not so.
I think the book was excellent. I liked the way she incorporated recipes to the story, not only giving you the principal recipe but some other thing to cover. Also, I think that after all that happened she had her closure, with that beautiful kind-of-sad ending.
One thing that totally surprised me to read but was also delightful, was the exaggeration she used to describe some things or feelings. Like, for example, when she described all the tears they shed, or the heat they felt. I though that she managed all those parts very well. I though that the descriptions where precise and beautiful, sometimes even funny.
I absolutely loved this book, and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read a great book that will make you laugh and maybe even cry. Of course, maybe for the most little you wouldn't let them read this one, but it's not so.
uutopicaa's review against another edition
2.0
Entiendo que es un producto de otra generación y de otra cultura, pero no me gustó ni un poco.
Le reconozco que me pareció un concepto original y que está bien narrado. Las recetas, el paso del tiempo y los elementos de realismo mágico me parecieron únicos en su combinación, y eso sí lo destaco como un positivo.
Ahora bien, la trama en sí... ewww.
Cada una de las mujeres de la familia protagonista buscan a libertad a su manera, pero esas maneras son, por ejemplo: la prostitución y el matrimonio. Que, al menos para mí, son todo lo contrario a la libertad.
Se tratan con extrema superficialidad y ligereza temas como el abuso sexual, físico y psicológico. ¿Que una madre le de una paliza a su hija tan fuerte que ella tenga que pasar 3 semanas en cama para recuperarse? ¿Que una mujer esté "Un poco triste porque la violaron entre varios hombres, pero ya se le pasará"? Un horror.
Y ni hablemos del romance. La historia de "amor" no tiene ni pies ni cabeza. No hay motivos para que esos personajes estén enamorados, tampoco hay química entre ellos. Son dos desconocidos que salieron por unas semanas en la adolescencia sin siquiera poder besarse. No saben nada uno del otro. No tienen personalidades que vayan bien juntas. El tipo es un desgraciado (egoista, caprichoso, cobarde) y ella se le arrastra cada vez que él brinda una muestra mínima de interés.
No era para mí. Capaz haya sido una novela muy representativa de la cultura de la autora en el año en que se escribió o quizá esté basada (de forma fantástica y ficcional) en la familia de la autora y/o de sus conocidos a comienzos del siglo pasado. No lo sé. Pero para los estándares de nuestros días, es un libro sumamente misógino en el que se glorifican cosas horrendas.
Mi edición es vieja. Espero que las nuevas vengan con una advertencia de contenido o con un prólogo comprensivo en el que se explique el contexto histórico-social en el que transcurre.
Me enfureció mucho la trama, los personajes, cómo ninguna de las cosas horribles que hacen tienen consecuencias, el "mensaje" sobre la libertad, el descenlace del romance que no tiene sentido y es terriblemente insatisfactorio, etc.
De la corrección no puedo hablar porque escuché la segunda mitad del libro como audiolibro, y lo único que noté de esa forma es el abuso de adverbios de modo. Por momentos hay hasta cinco en una sola oración.
EN FIN, no es un libro que recomiende leer, salvo que se haga con conocimientos previos del entorno en el que transcurre.
Le reconozco que me pareció un concepto original y que está bien narrado. Las recetas, el paso del tiempo y los elementos de realismo mágico me parecieron únicos en su combinación, y eso sí lo destaco como un positivo.
Ahora bien, la trama en sí... ewww.
Cada una de las mujeres de la familia protagonista buscan a libertad a su manera, pero esas maneras son, por ejemplo: la prostitución y el matrimonio. Que, al menos para mí, son todo lo contrario a la libertad.
Se tratan con extrema superficialidad y ligereza temas como el abuso sexual, físico y psicológico. ¿Que una madre le de una paliza a su hija tan fuerte que ella tenga que pasar 3 semanas en cama para recuperarse? ¿Que una mujer esté "Un poco triste porque la violaron entre varios hombres, pero ya se le pasará"? Un horror.
Y ni hablemos del romance. La historia de "amor" no tiene ni pies ni cabeza. No hay motivos para que esos personajes estén enamorados, tampoco hay química entre ellos. Son dos desconocidos que salieron por unas semanas en la adolescencia sin siquiera poder besarse. No saben nada uno del otro. No tienen personalidades que vayan bien juntas. El tipo es un desgraciado (egoista, caprichoso, cobarde) y ella se le arrastra cada vez que él brinda una muestra mínima de interés.
No era para mí. Capaz haya sido una novela muy representativa de la cultura de la autora en el año en que se escribió o quizá esté basada (de forma fantástica y ficcional) en la familia de la autora y/o de sus conocidos a comienzos del siglo pasado. No lo sé. Pero para los estándares de nuestros días, es un libro sumamente misógino en el que se glorifican cosas horrendas.
Mi edición es vieja. Espero que las nuevas vengan con una advertencia de contenido o con un prólogo comprensivo en el que se explique el contexto histórico-social en el que transcurre.
Me enfureció mucho la trama, los personajes, cómo ninguna de las cosas horribles que hacen tienen consecuencias, el "mensaje" sobre la libertad, el descenlace del romance que no tiene sentido y es terriblemente insatisfactorio, etc.
De la corrección no puedo hablar porque escuché la segunda mitad del libro como audiolibro, y lo único que noté de esa forma es el abuso de adverbios de modo. Por momentos hay hasta cinco en una sola oración.
EN FIN, no es un libro que recomiende leer, salvo que se haga con conocimientos previos del entorno en el que transcurre.
jojostraub's review against another edition
Wanted to read for the around-the-world challenge for Mexico. But I'm not into baking and cooking like that.
merlinagarance's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I genuinely don't know if I liked this book or not. It was certainly intriguing enough for me to finish it and I'd recommend it as a good example of magical realism but it deals with heavy topics such as abusive families and SA, as well as war, so be mindful of that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, War, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Rape, Toxic relationship, Death, and Child death
jacinta_vieira's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
pawapat's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Worst ending I’ve ever read. This was an incredibly fun and cute little book—at least in the beginning. The characters at this point weren’t so insufferable. The only people I like by the end of the story were John (justice for John) and Gertrudis. There was no moral at the end of the story, or anything that felt satisfying for that matter. John just disappears and we’re expected to forget about him in favor of man-child Pedro. I really wanted to rate this book high at the first 100 pages of this read. But now, I’m just left with a disappointing 3.5 stars
lexandall's review against another edition
emotional
funny
tense
slow-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
laurendeen's review against another edition
4.0
I remember reading Like Water for Chocolate in my high school Spanish class, but years later, I couldn't remember any of the plot. This book follows Tita. She's the youngest daughter in her family, which means she'll never be able to marry because her only purpose in life is to serve her mother. She falls in love, but it seems like it will never come to anything after he marries her sister.
I didn't realize at first that this was magical realism, and I got really confused after reading some of the more "magical" scenes. But once I became used to the style of the book, I was pulled into Tita's life. I don't typically like romances and I felt some of it was over the top, but I overall really enjoyed this book.
I didn't realize at first that this was magical realism, and I got really confused after reading some of the more "magical" scenes. But once I became used to the style of the book, I was pulled into Tita's life. I don't typically like romances and I felt some of it was over the top, but I overall really enjoyed this book.