The reviewer appreciates the innovative storytelling and magical realism in 'Like Water for Chocolate', highlighting its vivid portrayal of family dynamics and traditions. However, they find the romantic elements and character development of Pedro to be weak and flawed.
The reviewer finds 'Like Water for Chocolate' to be a compelling read with a unique structure that blends magical realism and family dynamics. The novel's strength lies in its imaginative storytelling and the vivid portrayal of Tita's struggles within a traditional family. The incorporation of food and recipes adds a distinctive flavor to the narrative, making it a memorable experience. However, the romantic elements, particularly the character of Pedro, are seen as weak and underdeveloped. The reviewer notes that while the novel is flawed, Esquivel's storytelling and prose elevate the narrative, making it a significant contribution to Hispanic literature.
Quick quotes
You must take care to light the matches one at a time. If a powerful emotion should ignite them all at once, they would produce a splendor so dazzling that it would illuminate far beyond what we can normally see; and then a brilliant tunnel would appear before our eyes, revealing the path we forgot the moment we were born, and summoning us to regain the divine origins we had lost. The soul ever longs to return to the place from which it came, leaving the body lifeless.
Those huge stars have lasted for millions of years by taking care never to absorb any of the fiery rays lovers all over the world send up at them night after night. To avoid that, the star generates so much heat inside itself that it shatters the rays into a thousand pieces. Any look it receives is immediately repulsed, reflected back onto the earth, like a trick done with mirrors. That is the reason the stars shine so brightly at night.
It doesn’t matter to me what you did, there are some things in life that shouldn’t be given so much importance, if they don’t change what is essential. What you’ve told me hasn’t changed the way I think; I’ll say again, I would be delegated to be your companion for the rest of your life-but you must think over very carefully whether I am the man for you or not.