Like Water for Chocolate was definitely a good pick for my second book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. It is not one of those books where the story starts off very boring and is painful to continue. I can honestly say that this novel kept my attention throughout; it never ceased to amaze me what twists would be thrown in. Saying that, I agree with all of the reviewers who call this novel a "wondrous romantic tale." Like Water for Chocolate is a dramatic and affectionate love story that really touches the heart.
One reason I particularly enjoyed this book was because it was not predictable at all. I never knew what to expect or who Tita would end up with. Andy Lau, Hong Kong pop star, commented that he hasn't, "...seen a good love story in years." Well, I think he should check out Like Water for Chocolate at his local Blockbuster because this heart-throbbing story will surely change his mind.
I admire Laura Esquirel as an author because she has created a true love story that has grabbed my attention. USA Today called it, "a mystical Mexican love story that will charm the palate and the heart." As I read numerous reviews of the novel, I wondered what makes a great love story? In my research, I found that there must be a yearning for one another, as well as a hardship that comes between them. It is obvious that there is a yearning between Tita and Pedro. Those two love birds want each other like no one I have seen before. There are numerous hardships Tita has to endure before she can have the love of her life; there is Mama Elena's strict policy of no marriage and the fact that he is already married to her older sister! There has to be the element of the two getting torn apart before things get better. Pedro is literally taken from Tita, after he confesses his love for her. Their relationship gets plenty worse before it becomes better. The story should have a moral, such as good things come to those who wait. Tita, just as well as Pedro, waited long and hard for a time where they could finally be together. I believe this moral pertains to the novel, as well. There must also be sorrow. Page one begins with Tita crying (from onions, shh). No, but seriously, this book is filled with sad events and unfortunate happenings from Tita's hatred of her mother to the sadness she feels when her lover marries her sister. These are many of the aspects necessary for a story to be considered a great love novel.
If you enjoy love stories, then check out this link. It is filled with touching and inspirational stories of lovers. Google provides a list of Sixteen Timeless Tales of Romance if you are interested in some classics.
See, there are some classics, and then there are just stupid videos making fun of true love stories.
There is one part of the novel toward the end that sticks out to me and proves that Like Water for Chocolate is definitely a love story. ---> "Because this love is one of the truest loves I've ever seen. Pedro and you have both made the mistake of trying to keep the truth a secret, but it will come out in time...You have no choice but to stand up for the truth, right now." Gertrudis gives this advice to Tita because she understands and sees the love between them. Tita has been denying it because she does not want to hurt her sister, but Gertrudis knows that the truth is always better and she wants her sister to be happy with Pedro because he deeply cares for her.
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