- Como Agua Para Chocolate es tan único en su documentación de la vida de las mujeres, particularmente del personaje principal Tita. Tanto el libro como la película siguen su vida como cocinera de la familia, su historia de amor imposible y las muchas recetas deliciosas y mágicas que crea a lo largo de la historia.
((Image from the Movie))
There are only a few movies that are just as good as the book and one of those is "Like Water for Chocolate". Maybe this is due to the fact that the author, Laura Esquivel, was the main screen writer and was married (at the time) to the film's director. Or maybe it is the magic and inspiration that the book has had on the minds of everyone involved in the film's production. Either way, Como Agua Para Chocolate is one of my favorite movies and one of my most beloved books of all time and today I wanted to tell you all why.
- Solo hay unas pocas películas que son tan buenas como el libro y una de ellas es "Como agua para chocolate". Tal vez esto se deba a que la autora, Laura Esquivel, era la guionista principal y estaba casada (en ese momento) con el director de la película. O tal vez sea la magia y la inspiración que el libro ha tenido en la mente de todos los involucrados en la producción de la película.
De cualquier manera, Como Agua Para Chocolate es una de mis películas favoritas y uno de mis libros más queridos de todos los tiempos y hoy quería contarles por qué.
The book takes place in early 1900's in Northern Mexico and Southern Texas. Tita, who is about 16 at the start of the story, is the youngest daughter of three and thus her entire life is dictated by tradition. As the youngest she is destined to forever live in the house of her mother and care for her as she ages leaving no room for a life or family of her own. This predicament sets the plot for the rest of the novel as Tita soon falls in love with a young handsome man in town who she cannot be with. The subject of her desire, Pedro, loves Tita too and decides to marry her eldest sister in order to be close to Tita.
- El libro tiene lugar a principios de 1900 en el norte de México y el sur de Texas. Tita, que tiene unos 16 años al comienzo de la historia, es la hija menor de tres y, por lo tanto, toda su vida está dictada por la tradición. Como la más joven, está destinada a vivir para siempre en la casa de su madre y cuidarla a medida que envejece, sin dejar espacio para una vida o una familia propia. Esta situación establece la trama para el resto de la novela, ya que Tita pronto se enamora de un joven guapo en la ciudad con el que no puede estar. El sujeto de su deseo, Pedro, también ama a Tita y decide casarse con su hermana mayor para estar cerca de Tita.
This is, of course, a recipe for disaster. But, what really interests me about this book are the culinary recipes it shares and the magic imbued in each moment of the story. Each chapter starts with the name of a particular dish and the recipe, and associated chapter of Tita's life follows.
- Esta es, por supuesto, una receta para el desastre. Pero, lo que realmente me interesa de este libro son las recetas culinarias que comparte y la magia que se impregna en cada momento de la historia. Cada capítulo comienza con el nombre de un plato en particular y la receta, y sigue un capítulo asociado de la vida de Tita.
Some are savory dishes and others are chocolate filled desserts. All of the recipes move the story along and are more than just sustenance for the main characters, they are filled with enchantment of the resentment Tita has for her mother, her desires to be with her brother-in-law, and her hopes for living outside of the social paradigm prescribed to her.
- Algunos son platos salados y otros son postres rellenos de chocolate. Todas las recetas hacen avanzar la historia y son más que un simple sustento para los personajes principales, están llenas del encanto del resentimiento que Tita tiene por su madre, sus deseos de estar con su cuñado y sus esperanzas de vivir fuera del paradigma social que se le prescribe.
I have been careful to avoid spoiling the story here and won't say anymore about the plot. The rest is for you to read (or watch) and enjoy!
- He tenido cuidado de no estropear la historia aquí y no diré más sobre la trama. ¡El resto es para que lo leas (o lo veas) y lo disfrutes!
((All Images are my own except for the second picture which is from the "Como Agua Para Chocolate" film, 1992))
I've wanted to read this book for some time... the description you give it, along with you fun personal photos, give me an added boost to remember to look for it next time I am at the library!
Thanks for the read 😄
Both the book and the movie are so good, so sweet, so magical! I really hope you can find yourself a copy!
That sounds interesting
I can’t imagine how my life would be if I am to live with my mom all my life to take care of her Culinary recipes ? That’s definitely worth whatever price it’s sold at
I didn't mention that her mom was very mean to Tita and seem enjoy destroying her dreams. Tita doea enjoy cooking as her occupation in life but rebels against her life being decided for her, which wouldnt have been the case if she was born a boy. It is a great book if you can find it!
Oh that’s sad
Yeah I’ll try finding it
Interesting read. I hope I can find an ebook.Thanks for sharing❤️