Euzel Aubrey Rivas Alvarez: Book Review on Like Water for Chocolate

I. Introduction
The writer of this book is Laura Esquivel, born on September 30, 1950. She is a Mexican author making a noted contribution to Latin-American literature. She’s the third of four children of Julio Cesar Esquivel, a telegraph operator, and Josefa Valdes.

Her first novel was Like Water for Chocolate, which was released in 1989. The novel, took place during the revolution in early twentieth century in Mexico. It shows the importance of the kitchen in the author's life. She believes that the kitchen is the most important part of the house and characterizes it as a source of knowledge and understanding that brings pleasure. The title refers to a colloquial phrase used by the Spanish that means an extremity of feeling. It refers to a boiling point in terms of anger, passion and sexuality. The idea for the book came to her while she was cooking the recipes of her mother and grandmother. The book has been a tremendous international success: The No. 1 best-selling book in Mexico for three years, it's also been translated into 23 languages.

The novel was developed into a film, which was released in 1993 concurrently with the book's English translation. In the United States, it became one of the largest grossing foreign films ever released in the US. Esquivel earned the Mexican Academy of Motion Pictures award; she received eleven in all, from Ariel Awards.



II. Summary of Text

The story revolves around Tita, a simple teenage girl with a great responsibility. She was born in the kitchen and from there, the kitchen became her world. She lives with her mother, Mama Elena, her two sisters, Gestrudis and Rosaura, and their helpers, Nacha and Chencha. Nacha was like a mother for her because they spent a lot of time together in the kitchen. They’re fund of that place. Everything was feeling all right for her and her family. Not until she fell in love.

Pedro was the love of her life. He was about to talk to Mama Elena to ask for Tita’s hand but unfortunately, Tita was obliged to stay with her mother she and take care of her until dies since she was the youngest daughter.As a result, Pedro ended up marrying her sister, Rosaura. For him, it’s the best way to stay close to Tita. It seemed to be the end of the world for her. Then the death of Nacha on the night of the wedding was the follow-up tragedy for her. A lot of things happened when Pedro, Rosaura and their first child, Roberto went to San Antonio.

Gertrudis went away with Juan Alenjandre, the captain of a troope. And then there was John, the family doctor who fell secretly in love with Tita. He let Tita stay in his house in his house

For a while when a huge fight occur between Tita and her mother because of Roberto’s death. Tita agreed to be the wife of John. On the night of their engagement, something terrible happened to her family. Some rebellious group entered their house. Chencha was raped and Mama Elena was hit by a gun that paralyzed half of her body. She died few weeks later because of poisoning herself.

John went to her Aunt because she wants to meet Tita. When he was away, something went on with Tita and Pedro. When he came back, Tita told him. But John, ever loving and understanding said that it’s up to Tita’s decision. He respects whatever it may be.

Twenty-two years later, Rosaura died. Alex, the son of John from his first wife, and Esperanza, the second child of Pedro and Rosaura got married. Pedro and Tita continued their love affair. But then, Pedro died on the night of the wedding while they were making love. And so, Tita went to her room and she chew candles one by one. Until she saw the tunnel where Pedro entered earlier. She went through that tunnel. Her physical body was burning and it made a huge explosion. People thought that it was just fireworks for the celebration of the wedding. But it’s not. It came from two people with undying love for each other.


III. Analysis of Text
The theme of romantic love appears throughout this novel. The author uses magical realism to combine the ordinary and the supernatural. Emotional Oppression is evident, as Tita has been emotionally oppressed by her mother. She is forced to hold in her emotions, thus creating a "dampness" within her that does not allow the matches within her soul to light. Self Growth also occurred when Tita was a generally submissive young lady. She feared her mother and her mother's actions, hardly ever daring to disobey for fear of another brutal beating. However, as time passes, Tita finds herself to have a voice that she must use. The climax of this theme could be said to be the part when Tita stands up to her mother and runs out of the house. By the end of the novel, though Tita is a humble woman, she certainly is not the submissive and fearful girl she once was. Lastly, the occurrence of family tradition appeared as Tita and Pedro are not allowed to love because of the De La Garza tradition that states that the youngest daughter must take care of the mother until the day she dies. The book also lists out many tradition of the Mexican culture, such as traditional recipes.

IV. Evaluation of the Text
The book suggested that first love really never dies like Pedro and Tita’s undying love for each other. It also suggested that family traditions aren’t really worth it especially when it is somewhat like this. It’s not fair for a person to be treated like that.

The story left some unanswered questions like if Rosaura’s role was being the antagonist or is it the other way around since she died and when it happened, her husband and her sister continued their love affair.

As for me, I could hardly relate to the story for I have no experience for falling in love. But I understood the story as it went on through my eyes for it does not only revolves in love, but for other things as well.