bak8382's review against another edition
3.0
This was the November pick for my book club and we all felt pretty much the same about it which was we weren't sure what to make of it. We found the recipes to be distracting as they would continue throughout the chapter in the middle of the action. We didn't understand her continued attraction to Pedro, or the bizarre things that happened to her sister.
We thought Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni was a possible read alike for this title because it also explores the relationship between a woman and food although from an Indian perspective and has elements of magical realism.
We thought Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni was a possible read alike for this title because it also explores the relationship between a woman and food although from an Indian perspective and has elements of magical realism.
jenmat1197's review against another edition
4.0
This story takes place on the De la Garza ranch. Mama Elena gives birth to a little girl named Tita - right in the kitchen where Mama Elena was working. Tita knows this is what lead to her love for cooking and creating delicious dishes.
Tita grows up as the youngest daughter of Mama Elena, and the tradition in her family is that the youngest daughter never marries and always takes care of her mother. But Tita is in love with a boy named Pedro. And Pedro loves Tita. Mama Elena refuses to let them be together, so Pedro marries Tita's eldest sister so that he can always be near her.
Over the course of their whole lives, Ttia and Pedro love each other. Pedro stays married to Tita's oldest sister, has children with her, and even moves away for a time. Tita falls for another man named John, but never comes to love him like she loved Pedro.
They spend their whole lives circling each other. Through a tale of magical realism, and a tale that is chalked full of metaphors and figurative speech, Tita finally learns about love and passion. Food is the central theme of this book and it helps express Tita's feelings and understanding of what is happening around her.
This was a very interesting book. I really liked it, but it took me awhile to get into a rhythm with the style of writing. It reminded me a bit of the writing in 100 Years of Solitude. It took some concentration to find the deeper meaning in what Tita was trying to express. Many of the characters die during the book unpredictably and in very bizarre ways. Above all, this book will make you hungry - the meals she describes and cooks are mouth watering. They all sound delicious.
If you are into magical realism type stories, and are okay with a bizaare tale, then this book is for you.
Tita grows up as the youngest daughter of Mama Elena, and the tradition in her family is that the youngest daughter never marries and always takes care of her mother. But Tita is in love with a boy named Pedro. And Pedro loves Tita. Mama Elena refuses to let them be together, so Pedro marries Tita's eldest sister so that he can always be near her.
Over the course of their whole lives, Ttia and Pedro love each other. Pedro stays married to Tita's oldest sister, has children with her, and even moves away for a time. Tita falls for another man named John, but never comes to love him like she loved Pedro.
They spend their whole lives circling each other. Through a tale of magical realism, and a tale that is chalked full of metaphors and figurative speech, Tita finally learns about love and passion. Food is the central theme of this book and it helps express Tita's feelings and understanding of what is happening around her.
This was a very interesting book. I really liked it, but it took me awhile to get into a rhythm with the style of writing. It reminded me a bit of the writing in 100 Years of Solitude. It took some concentration to find the deeper meaning in what Tita was trying to express. Many of the characters die during the book unpredictably and in very bizarre ways. Above all, this book will make you hungry - the meals she describes and cooks are mouth watering. They all sound delicious.
If you are into magical realism type stories, and are okay with a bizaare tale, then this book is for you.
sophiecorbett's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is the second novel I read in Spanish and I adored it. As a reader I was gripped by the surprises and frustrations within the book and I loved the whimsy that the element of magical realism added.
eunicegiselle_'s review against another edition
5.0
Fácil de leer, una historia que te deja sorprendido en cada capítulo!
kk0sanda's review against another edition
Too much like a romance novel for my taste. Good writing, would have finished if the book was more up my alley.
nourhan09's review against another edition
5.0
بعـض الـروايات لايمكـن وصفهـا ,, لايمكـن سجنـها داخل قفـص الكلمــات التـي نكتـبها لنصـف ذلك الـشعور الـذي تـملكنـا بسـببهـا,,
مـاهذا الـجنون والـفـوضى والجمـال والـسحر ..
شخـصيات كثـيرة , قصـص اكـثر وقفـزات بسـيطة عبر الحـاضر والمستقـبل بشـكل لايـؤثر على ترتيب الأحداث التي تقـرأها ,,
تـضاف المـقادير قبـل كل فصـل من الـرواية وكـأنها تضـعنا على نـار هـادئة لتـطبخ مـشـاعرنـا وفـضولنـا بشـكل مثـالي ,
وبين حيـن وآخر يـتم دفع لنــا طبـق صغـير من السـحر والمبـالغه بالـوصف لـتـكتمل لنــا وجبـه الـيوم
مـنذ ان قـرأت العـنوان وانـا متـيقنه ان هنــالك سحـر أخــآذ داخل هذه الـرواية ,
وتـأكدت من ذلك عنـدما وصلت للـ80 صـفحة دون ان اشعر بـملل,
الأحـداث والـشخصيـات وكل شيء تم ذكره هنــا يجـبرك على ان تعيش معه لـحظة بـلحظة لـدرجة انـك تنـسى واقعـك الـذي تعيشه ,
المـميز والـغريب ايضًـا هي تلك الـوصفات التي ذكرت كـم ارغب بتـطبيق الـوصفـة بحـذافيرهـا لأعيش ذلك الـجو الذي تمـلك الشـخصيات ,, ولـكن من الصـعب ان اتمكن من ايـجاد تـلك المقـادير وتنـفيذها بكـمية المشـاعر التـي تـملكت"تيتــا".
في النهــاية, انصـح الـجميع بقـراءتهــا .
مـاهذا الـجنون والـفـوضى والجمـال والـسحر ..
شخـصيات كثـيرة , قصـص اكـثر وقفـزات بسـيطة عبر الحـاضر والمستقـبل بشـكل لايـؤثر على ترتيب الأحداث التي تقـرأها ,,
تـضاف المـقادير قبـل كل فصـل من الـرواية وكـأنها تضـعنا على نـار هـادئة لتـطبخ مـشـاعرنـا وفـضولنـا بشـكل مثـالي ,
وبين حيـن وآخر يـتم دفع لنــا طبـق صغـير من السـحر والمبـالغه بالـوصف لـتـكتمل لنــا وجبـه الـيوم
مـنذ ان قـرأت العـنوان وانـا متـيقنه ان هنــالك سحـر أخــآذ داخل هذه الـرواية ,
وتـأكدت من ذلك عنـدما وصلت للـ80 صـفحة دون ان اشعر بـملل,
الأحـداث والـشخصيـات وكل شيء تم ذكره هنــا يجـبرك على ان تعيش معه لـحظة بـلحظة لـدرجة انـك تنـسى واقعـك الـذي تعيشه ,
المـميز والـغريب ايضًـا هي تلك الـوصفات التي ذكرت كـم ارغب بتـطبيق الـوصفـة بحـذافيرهـا لأعيش ذلك الـجو الذي تمـلك الشـخصيات ,, ولـكن من الصـعب ان اتمكن من ايـجاد تـلك المقـادير وتنـفيذها بكـمية المشـاعر التـي تـملكت"تيتــا".
في النهــاية, انصـح الـجميع بقـراءتهــا .
noeliamollet's review against another edition
4.0
Me ha sorprendido mucho el planteamiento técnico del libro. Los doce capítulos son doce nombres de platos mexicanos cuyas recetas se intercalan con la historia del libro.
Me ha gustado la forma en que se narra, el amor por la cocina que emana y lo he leído muy rápido porque quieres saber cómo va a avanzar la historia.
El punto de partida inicial es curioso: chica y chico enamorados. Esta tiene que soportar cómo este se casa con una de sus hermanas como único modo de estar cerca de ella, ya que esta tiene prohibido tener pareja al ser la pequeña de la familia y tener que dedicar su vida al cuidado de su madre. A partir de aquí vemos mucho amor, impotencia, odio, sufrimiento, melancolía, muerte, esperanza, segundas oportunidades... Y realismo mágico. Esto último en muchas ocasiones son pinceladas totalmente innecesarias, pero en otros casos, sin esta magia no tiene sentido la historia.
Recomiendo el libro, pero la presencia del realismo mágico no creo que le convenza a todo el mundo.
Me ha gustado la forma en que se narra, el amor por la cocina que emana y lo he leído muy rápido porque quieres saber cómo va a avanzar la historia.
El punto de partida inicial es curioso: chica y chico enamorados. Esta tiene que soportar cómo este se casa con una de sus hermanas como único modo de estar cerca de ella, ya que esta tiene prohibido tener pareja al ser la pequeña de la familia y tener que dedicar su vida al cuidado de su madre. A partir de aquí vemos mucho amor, impotencia, odio, sufrimiento, melancolía, muerte, esperanza, segundas oportunidades... Y realismo mágico. Esto último en muchas ocasiones son pinceladas totalmente innecesarias, pero en otros casos, sin esta magia no tiene sentido la historia.
Recomiendo el libro, pero la presencia del realismo mágico no creo que le convenza a todo el mundo.
welligirl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jacquifer13's review against another edition
3.0
Primera historia de romance que me atrapa, aunque un romance trágico... pero bueno jaja, en mi opinión una historia muy bonita, sin muchas vueltas y con variedad de sabores, sinceramente si da hambre mientras se lee, pero ya centrándome en el libro, la pasión del amor que se encuentra aquí me gustó, aunque siendo honesta la historia de Gertrudis me gustó más (hermana de Tita). Ponerle ese toque de realismo mágico es lo particular del libro, quizá para alguien pueda ser de más, en mi opinión está muy bien llevado a cabo y no le tomé tanta importancia, pero si le da magia sin duda. Honestamente no sabía si ponerle 3 o 4 estrellas, no es que no me haya gustado, simplemente quiero creer que es mi falta de acercamiento al romance.
hwill17's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25