Laura Esquivel

Easton Press Laura Esquivel books

Like Water for Chocolate - signed modern classic - 1999

 

Author Laura Esquivel biography

Laura Esquivel is a renowned Mexican author and screenwriter, best known for her captivating storytelling and unique blend of magical realism with everyday life. Born on September 30, 1950, in Mexico City, she grew up in a household filled with creativity and cultural influences. Esquivel's early life was marked by her passion for literature and a keen interest in exploring the intersection of food, love, and mysticism. Esquivel initially pursued a career in education, studying to become a teacher. However, her love for writing eventually led her to shift her focus towards literature. In 1989, she gained international acclaim with her debut novel, Like Water for Chocolate (Como agua para Chocolate in Spanish). This novel, which blends cooking, romance, and magical elements, became a bestseller and was later adapted into a successful film.

Like Water for Chocolate not only brought Esquivel widespread recognition but also established her as a prominent voice in Latin American literature. The novel tells the story of Tita De La Garza, a young woman whose emotions become infused into the dishes she prepares, affecting the people who consume them. The novel's success opened up new opportunities for Esquivel, allowing her to explore different artistic mediums.

In addition to her literary accomplishments, Esquivel has worked as a screenwriter and director. She collaborated on the screenplay for the film adaptation of Like Water for Chocolate and went on to write and direct other projects, showcasing her versatility as an artist. Over the years, Laura Esquivel has continued to produce thought-provoking works that delve into themes of love, tradition, and spirituality. Her writing often explores the cultural richness of Mexico and the interconnectedness of the human experience. While she may not have an extensive body of work compared to some authors, Esquivel's impact on literature is significant, as she has brought a distinct voice and perspective to the global literary stage.

 

Like Water for Chocolate

Earthy, magical, and utterly charming, this tale of family life in turn-of-the-century Mexico became a best-selling phenomenon with its winning blend of poignant romance and bittersweet wit.

The number one bestseller in Mexico and America for almost two years, and subsequently a bestseller around the world, Like Water For Chocolate is a romantic, poignant tale, touched with moments of magic, graphic earthiness, bittersweet wit and recipes.

A sumptuous feast of a novel, it relates the bizarre history of the all-female De La Garza family. Tita, the youngest daughter of the house, has been forbidden to marry, condemned by Mexican tradition to look after her mother until she dies. But Tita falls in love with Pedro, and he is seduced by the magical food she cooks. In desperation, Pedro marries her sister Rosaura so that he can stay close to her, so that Tita and Pedro are forced to circle each other in unconsummated passion. Only a freakish chain of tragedies, bad luck and fate finally reunite them against all the odds.