Esquivel, Laura

(Mexican, 1950– )

Like Water for Chocolate (1989) is the first novel of screenwriter Esquivel, and is subtitled A Novel in Monthly Instalments with Recipes, Romances and Home Remedies. Set in turn-of-the-century Mexico, it is the magical tale of Pedro and Tita, the youngest of Mama Elena's three daughters. When Tita is forbidden to marry she pours her feelings into passionate, sumptuous cooking which affects everyone who eats it. This original and exciting love-story blends family saga, folklore, fairy-tale, and cookery book, with a surprise happy ending and a recipe for every chapter. Like Water for Chocolate has been made into the atmospheric and enjoyable film which inspired An Appetite for Passion Cookbook (1995), co-edited by Esquivel, in which celebrity entertainers such as Placido Domingo and Marla Trump present eighty inventive recipes.

Isabel Allende, Gabriel García Márquez  JN