Like Water for Chocolate

From Amazon.com

For one of my classes this semester, one of the assigned readings was "Like Water for Chocolate" by Laura Esquivel I will start out by being completely honest.  This book was an assigned reading for one of my classes, and while I appreciate it's literary value, I hated it.  Okay, that that is over with, I definitely feel like there is merit in reading this book, and that it is an important piece of contemporary literature.

G. Whittaker Oct 2012

The book was critically acclaimed, and met with much initial resistance in the American market.  I can certainly understand why this was so.  The story contains elements of Mexican culture that are somewhat foreign to outsiders.  This could server to limit the appeal of the book.  It is also very much a soap opera.  This aspect of it was probably the most disappointing for me.  Every time I hoped things were going in some normal direction for the relationship between he characters there was new drama.

G. Whittaker 10-2012

Another important aspect of the book is the use of magical realism.  This craft melds tall tale elements into the story.  I personally, have never liked tall tales, so this was something of a turn off for me.  This is really an important part of the story however, and is a critical literary method to understand.  Magical realism was coined by a German man, who initially used it to describe a genre of art, however it became a popular literary tool with Hispanic authors who felt that it was a way to blend traditional, cultural mysticism with contemporary mainstream writing methods.  Magical elements are added to the story but in a way that they are consistent with a much more real atmosphere.  Authors offer no explanation for the magical events, as readers are to take at face value.  If the magic were explained it would take away from what it adds to the work, and might call other elements into question.  Instead we are to view the events as if the magic is a natural part of the otherwise unremarkable setting.  In this book the magic all stems from the main character Tita and primarily from her cooking.  It's an interesting idea and really conveys how food can transcend so many barriers.  Perhaps it could have the magical effects described.

I certainly understand how the things that I didn't like about this book, combined with the fact that the author is a woman, could have made it difficult for it to be accepted as influential literature.  Although there are increasing numbers of female authors, that doesn't mean that we always view or understand the work of male and female authors equally.  I have no preference as far as the gender of the authors I choose to read, but realistically we live in a world were women's literature is still not on par with that of men.  That's not to say that women aren't just as skilled writers, but that their writing style and perspective are different, and since it is one with which we are not as familiar, there are times when this can hinder the acceptance of a work.  In the case of "Like Water for Chocolate"

G. Whittaker 10-2012

Despite the early rocky reception that the book received, it was subsequently made into a major motion picture produced by Miramax.  A trailer for the movie can be viewed here, or rented here for $1.99.  Though I haven't yet had a chance to view the film, I certainly plan to do so.  I'm always interested to see how film adaptations vary from the books from which they come.  I also think that in the case of this book, the film will help to bring to life many of the elements of life in Mexico in that period, and some of the more subtle things that are going on within the book.

There are some very clear themes in the book and commentary on tradition.  Tradition is a very big part of the novel and something with which the protagonist struggles.  She holds fast to culinary tradition and puts a lot of stock in it.  She also feel very strongly about her duty to her family.  But this comes into conflict with her own desires and the changing times.  Tita embodies the struggle between traditionalism and progressiveness.  Although she continues in her prescribed role within the family, the passion that is magically exuded through her food leads her sister, Gertrudis to run away and join the revolutionaries, taking on a completely modern and progressive role.  Tita's struggle with who she is and how that fits into her ideas of her family, cultural, and gender rolls continues until the end of the novel.

Although I didn't care for this book, I would recommend it as an important piece of cultural and women's lit. Despite my lack of enjoyment, I was compelled to continue reading the book not only because it was assigned but also because I was interested to see where it would lead.  It is well crafted, and takes the reader on a very cultural journey back in time where we learn not only about revolutionary Mexico, but a little about ourselves in the process.