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emmavardy2's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
relaxing
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved this. Centred around cooking with recipes. A story of family and a wonderful love story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
sophee_568's review against another edition
2.5
I didn't enjoy this. I think the magical realism elements and the recipes for Mexican meals are cool, but everything else sucks. Tita and Pedro's "love story" is one of the worst I've ever read. It's not love but pure lust. They barely talked through the whole book. I feel bad for Tita's sister who was married to Pedro.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Rape, and War
tashtasher's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Medical content, Murder, War, Child death, Racism, Grief, and Gun violence
Minor: Alcohol, Eating disorder, Colonisation, Abortion, Animal death, and Classism
dellydoos's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Despite the fact that this book is not a comedy, it really should be marketed as one. Like Water for Chocolate has to be one of the most random, outlandish and yet deeply emotional stories I’ve read. Set in turn-of-the-century Mexico, this tale follows the ill-fated romance between Tita De La Garza and her true love Pedro. Bound by family tradition, Tita is forbidden to marry as the youngest daughter expected to care for her mother. When Pedro proposes, Tita's manipulative mother offers her older daughter Rosaura's hand instead- and Pedro accepts, hoping to remain close to his beloved Tita.
Magical realism will always have my heart as a genre, because you just cannot find this wacky shit anywhere else. The amount of times I literally died laughing over the complete randomness and over-the-top events that happened in this novel is unreal. Tita is a force to be reckoned with, and as we witness her struggle to be true both to family tradition and to her own heart, we also realize that Tita has special talents, both in the kitchen and beyond dishes. Her dishes evoke emotions and affect people in supernatural ways. I lost it over the magical meals causing people to float, combust, and become sexually aroused. This novel blends romance and family drama with talking ghosts and mystical cooking in a way only magical realism can.
As the chapters were originally released in monthly instalments, every important story beat feels like the most deadpan plot-twist that seemingly comes out of nowhere. From Tita's sister engaging in passionate sexual encounter on horseback, to characters meeting their demise in the most bizarre ways, the narrative is a whirlwind of chaos. And yet, amidst the madness, there's an underlying current of warmth, love, and resilience that grounds the story in something deeply human. The descriptions of Tita's cooking are mouth-watering and all of the emotions that food can bring forth, both literally and figuratively, was a joy to read.
However, its folkloric or fairy-tale-like narrative style occasionally held me at arm's length, leaving me feeling more like a passive observer than an active participant in the story. It’s incredibly fast-paced where seemingly the most important plot points seem to be skipped over, instead, most of the focus is put on character. And whilst Tida was a character that felt rich and deep, Pedro, on the other hand, was a complete flog and felt almost antagonistic to Tida’s own emotional journey. By the end of the book, I really thought the narrative was going in one direction, when it actually ended in another. Because of this, I did feel a little unsatisfied, which unfortunately brought down my rating.
A wild ride. 3.5 stars.
Magical realism will always have my heart as a genre, because you just cannot find this wacky shit anywhere else. The amount of times I literally died laughing over the complete randomness and over-the-top events that happened in this novel is unreal. Tita is a force to be reckoned with, and as we witness her struggle to be true both to family tradition and to her own heart, we also realize that Tita has special talents, both in the kitchen and beyond dishes. Her dishes evoke emotions and affect people in supernatural ways. I lost it over the magical meals causing people to float, combust, and become sexually aroused. This novel blends romance and family drama with talking ghosts and mystical cooking in a way only magical realism can.
As the chapters were originally released in monthly instalments, every important story beat feels like the most deadpan plot-twist that seemingly comes out of nowhere. From Tita's sister engaging in passionate sexual encounter on horseback, to characters meeting their demise in the most bizarre ways, the narrative is a whirlwind of chaos. And yet, amidst the madness, there's an underlying current of warmth, love, and resilience that grounds the story in something deeply human. The descriptions of Tita's cooking are mouth-watering and all of the emotions that food can bring forth, both literally and figuratively, was a joy to read.
However, its folkloric or fairy-tale-like narrative style occasionally held me at arm's length, leaving me feeling more like a passive observer than an active participant in the story. It’s incredibly fast-paced where seemingly the most important plot points seem to be skipped over, instead, most of the focus is put on character. And whilst Tida was a character that felt rich and deep, Pedro, on the other hand, was a complete flog and felt almost antagonistic to Tida’s own emotional journey. By the end of the book, I really thought the narrative was going in one direction, when it actually ended in another. Because of this, I did feel a little unsatisfied, which unfortunately brought down my rating.
A wild ride. 3.5 stars.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape
motherofpearly's review against another edition
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 betweenTita 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
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Rape and Animal death
Minor: Racism, Death, Suicide, and War
kirstym25's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Animal death, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault and Rape
Minor: Fatphobia
vikkisgrotto's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
3.25
I loved the way Laura Esquivel wove recipes into each chapter, and I thought the magical realism was really unique and fun. I unfortunately didn't love the romance between Pedro and Tita because it felt mostly based on lust, and the ending left a lot to be desired. It's a good tragic love story, but I kind of wish she had chosen John, who was the more stable choice, in my opinion.
I also liked the fact that the story was narrated by Tita's great niece; I had forgotten about it because they only mention it at the beginning of the first and end of the last chapter, but it gave the story a more full-circle and complete feeling.
I also liked the fact that the story was narrated by Tita's great niece; I had forgotten about it because they only mention it at the beginning of the first and end of the last chapter, but it gave the story a more full-circle and complete feeling.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Pregnancy, Child death, Body shaming, Death of parent, Death, Fatphobia, and Rape
jodzy's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.75
It was an interesting read, entertaining. However, I didn't particularly love the book. I liked the part with recipes and Gertrudis the most. And the writing was honestly amazing.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Rape
tokki_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
- 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? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Death, Incest, Mental illness, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Body shaming, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
bellacate's review against another edition
emotional
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape