Como agua para chocolate

Posted by Ben On November - 30 - 2007 Under Reviews

Como agua para chocolateLife doesn’t always turn the way we expect it to. Many times we look at what we have accomplished and wonder if we could’ve done better, or if we’d be better off had we taken that other decision. Life is not fair. Life is a savage jungle where we try to survive everyday. Life is tough. I know we all have thought that at one point or another in our lives. If you haven’t, you aren’t human. I am not ashamed of accepting that I’ve had that kind of thoughts many times. But fortunately there are two things that keep me sane in those gloomy days: books and food (and books about food, of course)

Cooking for me is a magical process. I will never tire of watching simple ingredients and elements come together to create delicious dishes. The same way, I will never tire of seeing how literature masterpieces (or any written work for that matter) can be created using only 26 letters. That is also magic. If you ask me, those are the two greatest accomplishments of our species. And when those two processes come together, magic is bound to happen.

Laura Esquivel knew that when she wrote her widely acclaimed book Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) The magical realism that is used by many Latin American writers is present from the beginning of her book. Tita’s life is not easy. She is a very passionate girl who longs for the love of Pedro. But because she is the youngest daughter in the family she is not allowed to marry. Her entire life must be dedicated to taking care of her aging mother, a traditional belief that was still popular not too long ago in some Mexican communities. Therefore, the only way Tita can express her passion and feelings is through her cooking. Every person who comes in contact with the food she prepares experiences the sentiments an unjust society has buried deep inside her.

Each chapter starts with a recipe, hence the subtitle A Novel in Monthly Installments with Recipes, Romances and Home Remedies, that relates to an episode in Tita’s life. In-between the instructions to make Christmas rolls, champandongo, quail in rose petal sauce, northern style chorizo or turkey mole with almond and sesame seeds the narrator tells us the misfortunes of Tita’s life and how those foods become the natural outcome of her emotions.

Like Water for Chocolate became one of my favorite books since the first time I read it. The magic of the story transformed the way I saw cooking, especially Mexican cuisine. I could smell, and almost taste, every dish prepared in De La Garza family kitchen. The story is one of the few that has been able to fill all my senses with every chapter. All the fame and recognition Esquivel gained with this book is well deserved.

So every time I feel down or think that life is not fair I remember Tita’s story (and countless Mexican women’s stories) of how cooking is sometimes the best way to express oneself.

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19 Replies

  1. kellypea Said,

    Ben, I’m sad to say that in this case, I missed this book and saw the movie. I hate that. Usually if I see a book that I’d like to read, I avoid seeing the movie (or decide not to see it ever) depending on whether I’ve read the book. I’m a fan of both movies and books, and rarely does a movie do a book justice. That breaks my heart.

    And I agree that cooking is one of the most important of our accomplishments. Although gardening is up there for me, too. But cooking is very special, and I’m fortunate that those for whom I cook are always very appreciative.

    I enjoyed this post quite a bit.

    Posted on December 1st, 2007 at 4:03 am

  2. Ben Said,

    Kelly,

    I am the same way. If there is a book I like a lot I am wary of the movie, most times they screw the story or the characters or the time line. But in this case, the movie was very close to the book. I enjoyed both, though there is no substitute for what your imagination creates when you read a book. If you can get your hands on the book you should read it. It is magic! :-p

    Cheers!

    Posted on December 1st, 2007 at 5:22 pm

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    Posted on December 1st, 2007 at 7:17 pm

  4. Emiline Said,

    I really want to read this book. Wasn’t it a movie, too? I think that’s sad that the youngest daughter in the family couldn’t marry. I would rebel.

    Posted on December 2nd, 2007 at 1:02 am

  5. Emiline Said,

    I don’t know if my comment went through…so I’m just testing.

    Posted on December 2nd, 2007 at 1:03 am

  6. Peter G Said,

    Hey Ben

    This was and still is my favourite book. It changed the way I looked at food forever. A true masterpiece and one I will always cherish. Great to hear your thoughts on it.

    Posted on December 2nd, 2007 at 9:53 am

  7. núria Said,

    Hi Ben!
    I saw the movie…. many years ago… I think I still have a dvd somewhere… I don’t remember much of the film, just a good feeling, was it about cooking? Maybe it will be a good time now to see it with my actual eyes! Didn’t have any interest in Recipes by then.
    Also, there is an Isabel Allende book on food which I haven’t read but I followed one or two recipes… called Afrodita… do you know about it?
    Merry Xmas!!!

    Posted on December 2nd, 2007 at 1:32 pm

  8. Cynthia Said,

    Ben, this is based on a true story?

    Posted on December 3rd, 2007 at 8:53 pm

  9. Ben Said,

    Yes, they made a movie, but though the movie was good, I didn’t care much for it. I am one of those people who always like the books better. And I’d rebel, too, It’s so unfair!

    Posted on December 4th, 2007 at 3:07 pm

  10. Ben Said,

    You are ready to roll :-p

    Posted on December 4th, 2007 at 3:08 pm

  11. Ben Said,

    I’m glad to hear other people who love the book as much as I do. This book also changed the way I looked at food. I can read it over and over again without getting tired of it.
    Thanks for dropping by. Mi casa es su cas :)

    Posted on December 4th, 2007 at 3:12 pm

  12. Ben Said,

    You should read the book, too. It will change your life, trust me :)
    And I’ve heard about that Allende’s book, but haven’t read it yet. I will as soon as I catch up on my reading after New Year’s

    Merry Xmas to you too!!!

    Posted on December 4th, 2007 at 3:14 pm

  13. Ben Said,

    I don’t think it is based on a true story, Cynthia. But the story is occurs around the time of the Mexican Revolution in the beginning of the 20th century. So it is really great to read about how they used to cook food without all the tools we have now in our kitchens.

    Posted on December 4th, 2007 at 3:20 pm

  14. sophie Said,

    I am studying this book for my spanish A level, and we decided to each make a recipe from the book, i chose to make the ‘chiles en nogada’ because it sounded and looked (in the film) like the nicest one, however i can’t for the life of me figure out the exact recipe!!

    Could some one please give me some help? i need to make this dish in the next 28 hours!!

    Posted on December 11th, 2007 at 9:34 am

  15. Ben Said,

    Do you have any instant messenger? I could try to help you with that if you drop me a line. Or try this recipe which is very close to how they make them in Mexico.

    Posted on December 11th, 2007 at 5:08 pm

  16. Simon Said,

    Generalisation ahoy, but this is such a woman’s book! It just panders to those who are suckers for a bit of flowery language, and their convoluted ways of doing things wind me right up when it supposedly gives a real “Mexican feel” to the book (lettuce in your bathwater?! I mean, come on!). About halfway through, the magic realism started to irritate me, mainly because it was a bit ridiculous and didn’t really add anything to the story. Then I got to the ending. Woah Momma. That’s when the MR not only doesn’t add anything, it starts to detract from the story until it becomes completely unbelievable and undermines anything you might have been able to take away from the book. Another case of The Emperor’s New Clothes as far as I’m concerned. Fair play to old Esqui though, she’s made a fair bit of moolah from it!

    Posted on January 7th, 2008 at 1:14 pm

  17. Doña Olga, La Cocinera Mágica « Gherkins & Tomatoes Said,

    [...] Who is this cook, with a touch like Tita’s in Like Water for Chocolate? [...]

    Posted on May 13th, 2009 at 8:03 am

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  19. Ankit Said,

    Hey, I am writing an essay on How does Tita through extremity of sufferings actuate herself towards knowing and changing the self?
    If you have any points or can help on this, please do not hesitate to do so. You can also mail me at ankit_suri2006@yahoo.co.in with comments . Thank You :)

    Posted on December 21st, 2009 at 5:22 pm

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