Like Water for Chocolate

Earthy, magical, and utterly charming, this tale of family life in turn-of-the-century Mexico became a best-selling phenomenon with its winning blend of poignant romance and bittersweet wit. The classic love story takes place on the De la Garza ranch, as the tyrannical owner, Mama Elena, chops onions at the kitchen table in her final days of pregnancy. While still in her mother's womb, her daughter to be weeps so violently she causes an early labor, and little Tita slips out amid the spices and fixings for noodle soup. This early encounter with food soon becomes a way of life, and Tita grows up to be a master chef. She shares special points of her favorite preparations with listeners throughout the story.

The Spanish language edition of the best-selling "Like Water For Chocolate" is a remarkable success in its own right. Now, in this mass market edition, thousands of new readers will be able to partake in the sumptuous, romantic, and hilarious tale of Tita, the terrific cook with an extra special something in her sauce.

"A delightful first novel... the fragrant story makes you dream of love and want your supper too". -- "Glamour".

"A mystical Mexican love story... [that] will charm the palate and the heart". -- "USA Today".

"A tall-tal, fairy-tale, soap-opera and home-remedy handbook all rolled into one". -- "San Francisco Chronicle".

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241 pages

Average rating: 7.02

190 RATINGS

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IsaZarur

Jan 14, 2025

10/10 stars

I re-read this book every couple of years. I finished this read in one sitting I couldnât put it down.

Danicha

Jul 04, 2024

9/10 stars

Loved the cookbook metaphors and how they were intertwined with the story! The story is very well written (I read it in Spanish) and it’s highly engaging! I read it cover to cover in a week! I was not a fan of the ending, but I enjoyed the story anyway.

Anonymous

Dec 04, 2023

4/10 stars

This quick read is a romantic fable centered around a traditional Mexican family. Fables are generally great exaggerations that are meant to tell how things come to be. This is no exception.

Tita, the youngest daughter of Mama Elena, is destined to never marry and to take care of her mother until she dies. This is the tradition of the family. Tita ends up finding love in Pedro, but is forbidden to marry him. Pedro instead marries Tita's older sister so he can stay close. A complicated mess, but somehow it works out.

Tita is a gifted cook and, through some fable-y magic, imbues her moods into her cooking. When she is happy and passionate, her food makes everyone passionate. When she is sad, everyone eating her food ends up crying and upset.

This isn't the type of book I normally enjoy and while it was entertaining, it's not in my top books. I appreciate the recipes given but they appeared right in the middle of the stories and just seemed odd.

Carol.Ann

Nov 16, 2023

2/10 stars

Perhaps it just wasn't the right time for me to read this one. I expected much more from it and in the end, I was pretty disappointed. I loved the idea of her emotions carrying over into the recipes she prepared, and was expecting the story to be charming, magical, and romantic. Admittedly, there were a few magical elements and few romantic moments, but overall it fell flat for me. Rather than the charming story I was looking for, the characters were far from lovable and the story felt pointless. At a different time I may have liked it, but I don't see myself coming back to it for another try.

Leawhee

Sep 02, 2023

This is one of the very few books I enjoy reading over and over again! The historical setting, the characters, the weaving of a story through recipes. It’s just a genius of a story to me where love triumphs all and consumes some!