Like Water For Chocolate

by Laura Esquivel
Like Water For Chocolate cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Magical Realism
Technical:
  • ID: 1737
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • ISBN: 9780552995870
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 1993-01-01
  • Formats: 5
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
Bookshop
Format • £9.49

Like Water for Chocolate is a captivating blend of romance, magic, and Mexican tradition. The novel centers around Tita, the youngest daughter of the De La Garza family, who is bound by tradition to care for her mother and forbidden to marry. Her love for Pedro leads to a complex web of unfulfilled passion and magical culinary creations that reflect her deepest emotions. The story unfolds over two decades, filled with tragic events and fateful encounters that ultimately bring Tita and Pedro together. The narrative is rich with vivid descriptions of food and its emotional resonance, making it a unique and sensory experience. Laura Esquivel's novel is a sumptuous feast that explores themes of love, tradition, and the power of self-expression through cooking.

Reviews
Miss Known · Miss Known · 2025-04-25
enjoyable 4.00

The reviewer enjoyed the book and found it surprisingly engaging, noting that it is not a typical romance novel despite its central romantic plot. They appreciated the unique blend of elements that make the story compelling.

The reviewer was pleasantly surprised by how much they enjoyed this book. They highlighted that while it has a romance at its core, it's far from a conventional romance novel. The reviewer appreciated the unique structure and the way the story unfolds, finding it captivating and well-crafted. They also noted the blend of different elements, which makes the narrative rich and engaging.

Quick quotes

    To my surprise, I really enjoyed this book.

    Like Water for Chocolate is not a romance novel.

    There is a romance at the centre of the story.

Nightmares, Daydreams, and Imagined Conversations · 2022-11-14
captivating 4.50

The book was described as captivating, exploring themes of family, obligation, desire, and food. The protagonist's journey is central to the narrative, making it a compelling read.

This review highlights the book's exploration of deep themes such as family, obligation, desire, and the role of food in our lives. The reviewer found the story captivating, particularly the journey of the protagonist, Tita De la Garza. They appreciated how the narrative weaves these themes together, creating a rich and engaging experience for the reader.

Quick quotes

    An exploration of family, obligation, desire, and food, Like Water for Chocolate was captivating.

    Tita De la Garza is the youngest daughter in her family.

    The narrative weaves these themes together, creating a rich and engaging experience.

Shut Up, Heathcliff! · 2017-01-16
entertaining 4.20

The book is filled with drama, intrigue, romance, and a strong thread of magical realism. The reviewer found it to be a thrilling and entertaining read.

This reviewer was drawn to the book's dramatic and intriguing plot, which includes elements of romance and magical realism. They found the story thrilling and entertaining, highlighting the blend of different genres that make the narrative unique. The magical realism adds a layer of fantastical intrigue that enhances the overall reading experience.

Quick quotes

    Like Water for Chocolate has drama, intrigue, romance, betrayal, and secrets galore.

    It also has a strong thread of magical realism that enters the novel.

    The blend of different genres makes the narrative unique.

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