Search - Like Water for Chocolate

FANTASTIC love story. If you've seen the movie already, put it out of your mind before you read this book - they are different, as many movie adaptations differ from the written form. However, this is a wonderful love story that will draw you in and hold you right to the end.

A pretty surprising ending. Not at all what I was expecting. Some of those recipes sound really good (but a really lot of work!) The story itself was a quick read, not overly ga-ga and it was well translated. I don't yet know if I want to see the movie though... Hmmm...

Read this 14 yrs ago and liked it very much then. At the time it seemed unique in its format. And the writing was fresh and different. What does the title refer to? When you heat/melt chocolate (an aphrodisiac) over a pan of water, the water must be simmering hot (not boiling). So is love. If you have a passion for food, this is a good read.

I had great expectations of this book, as it was a book club choice. I spent the majority of the time irritated and annoyed with the protagonist. She chose to be a victim again and again, even with many options to the contrary. On the positive side, a appreciated the mysticism and the way in which emotions were physically manifest in the food.

This is a magical and sensual book. Vivid characters. Each chapter starts w/ a recipe. If you don't mind subtitles... the movie is not bad either. I liked it so much I read Esquivel's other books.

Delicious, imaginative, unusual, magical, sensual - this is a very different and original book and I'm glad I finally got around to reading it! It's the story of Tita, the youngest girl in the De la Garza family and by tradition doomed never to marry but remain to care for her tyrannical, hateful mother till she dies. Taught from childhood to obey, she can do nothing as her sweetheart is given to her sister to marry. The family cook Nacha teaches her all the traditional recipes, and the kitchen becomes her domain and refuge as she suffers through life. Throughout the story, Tita's family recipes are sprinkled like tasty tidbits, along with descriptions of how to prepare the food. The story is elevated by the strange and sometimes humorous fantasy elements narrated as though they were perfectly normal everyday happenings. A wonderful book and a must-read.