I Let Him Go: The heartbreaking book from the mother of James Bulger- updated for the 30th anniversary, in memory of James

by Denise Fergus
I Let Him Go: The heartbreaking book from the mother of James Bulger- updated for the 30th anniversary, in memory of James cover
Good Books rating 3.5
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  • ID: 2809
  • Added: 2025-10-16
  • Updated: 2025-11-11
  • Formats: 10
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
bol.com · Unknown · 2025-10-21
disappointing 2.00

The reviewer found 'Like Water for Chocolate' to be a disappointing read despite its initial appeal. The novel's portrayal of family dysfunction and its attempt at feminism were criticized, along with its bizarre and often disgusting magical elements.

The reviewer was initially drawn to 'Like Water for Chocolate' by its quirky subtitle and promises of food, magic, love, and female empowerment. However, they quickly realized they hated the book, despite its engaging narration. The novel's plot revolves around Tita, the youngest daughter in a family where the youngest daughter is forbidden to marry and must care for her parents until they die. The reviewer found the family dynamics to be ghastly and dysfunctional, with the food preparation scenes often resulting in disgusting outcomes due to Tita's suppressed emotions. The reviewer also criticized the novel's attempt at feminism, pointing out that the male characters are weak and the female characters are either miserable or liberated in unappealing ways. The middle chapters of the book were the most enjoyable, as Tita escapes her situation and finds a caring and respectful partner in Dr. John Brown. However, the ending was disappointing, with a time-skip and an orgy that the reviewer found insane and unfulfilling.

Quick quotes

    The trouble with crying over an onion is that once the chopping gets you started and the tears begin to well up, the next thing you know you just can’t stop.

    I’ve never needed a man for anything; all by myself, I’ve done all right with my ranch and my daughters.

    Tita was beginning to wonder if the feeling of peace and security that John gave her wasn’t true love, and not the agitation and anxiety she felt when she was with Pedro.

foyles.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-21
harrowing 4.50

The book is a heartbreaking account of a mother's loss and her journey to justice. It offers a poignant and emotional perspective on the tragic case of James Bulger.

I Let Him Go is a deeply moving and emotional read that delves into the personal experiences of Denise Fergus, the mother of James Bulger. The book provides a raw and unfiltered look at the pain and suffering endured by a family in the wake of a horrific crime. It's not just a retelling of the events but a testament to the strength and resilience of a mother's love. The narrative is both harrowing and inspiring, offering a unique perspective on the case that has captivated the nation for decades. While the book is undoubtedly heartbreaking, it also serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of such tragedies on families and communities.

Quick quotes

    This is a heartbreaking account of a mother's loss

    It offers a poignant and emotional perspective on the tragic case of James Bulger

    The narrative is both harrowing and inspiring

worldofbooks.com · Unknown · 2023-01-19
mixed 3.00

The book is melodramatic, exciting, and entertaining with a large splash of magic realism. The reviewer found the descriptions of food and cooking fascinating but struggled to connect with the central love story due to weak characterization.

Like Water for Chocolate is a melodramatic, exciting, and entertaining book with a large splash of magic realism. The reviewer was fascinated by the descriptions of food and cooking, which are interwoven into the narrative and play an instrumental role throughout the book. The operatic, fable-like quality of the writing, with hyperbole, vivid imagery, and evocative metaphors, was particularly striking. However, the reviewer struggled to connect with the central love story between Tita and Pedro due to weak characterization. Pedro came across as weak, cowardly, and selfish, making it hard to root for them. The other characters were also fairly one-dimensional, with Mama Elena being an evil stepmother type villain and Rosaura appearing cartoonish. The reviewer enjoyed the arc of the sister Gertrudis but felt that the book's approach to romantic love as a sweeping dramatic passion was hard to accept. Overall, the reviewer enjoyed the magic realism and style of writing but found the weak characterization and asinine love story detracted from the book.

Quick quotes

    “…My grandmother had a very interesting theory; she said that each of us is born with a box of matches inside us but we can’t strike them all by ourselves; just as in the experiment, we need oxygen and a candle to help. In this case, the oxygen, for example, would come from the breath of the person you love; the candle could be any kind of food, music, caress, word or sound that engenders the explosion that lights one of the matches. For a moment we are dazzled by an intense emotion. A pleasant warmth grows within us, fading slowly as time goes by, until a new explosion comes along to revive it. Each person has to discover what will set off those explosions in order to live, since the combustion that occurs when one of them is ignited is what nourishes the soul. …”

    This is easily the most melodramatic book I’ve read in a long time. It’s exciting, thoroughly entertaining, and fantastical (a large splash of magic realism) but I found it ultimately somewhat frustrating.

    I enjoyed reading this book — loved the magic realism and style of writing, but the weak characterization and asinine love story detracted from it somewhat (although I recognize that there is a larger theme of individual love/agency vs. traditional authority).

books.mailshop.co.uk · Unknown · 2023-01-19
captivating 4.50

The reviewer found 'Like Water for Chocolate' captivating, praising its exploration of family, obligation, desire, and food within the magical realism genre. They highlighted the novel's portrayal of controlling and patriarchal systems, as well as the intricate relationships between characters.

The reviewer has a long-standing appreciation for magical realism, which made 'Like Water for Chocolate' an appealing choice. They found the novel captivating, particularly its exploration of family dynamics, obligation, desire, and the role of food. The story of Tita De la Garza, bound by tradition to care for her mother and denied her love for Pedro, is a powerful critique of controlling and patriarchal systems. The reviewer noted how Mama Elena's cruelty affects not just Tita but the entire household, highlighting the ripple effects of such behavior. The novel's magical realism elements vividly illustrate these dynamics, making it a compelling read. The reviewer also appreciated the contrast between Tita's relationships with different characters, which offers a nuanced look at obligation versus affection.

Quick quotes

    Since I first read One Hundred Years of Solitude back in high school, magical realism has been one of my favorite genres. There’s something about the dream-like sense to it all that my imagination latches on to.

    Though it’s dressed in the guise of a thwarted romance, the discontent between Tita and her family — particularly between her and Mama Elena and then later between her and Rosaura — is representative of the constraints inherent in a controlling and patriarchal system.

    By dictating everyone’s roles so strictly and writing off or abusing those who stray from her dictates, Mama Elena undermines the very family bonds her rules are meant to reinforce.

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