• Like Water for Chocolate

  • By: Laura Esquivel
  • Narrated by: Kate Reading
  • Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.3 out of 5 stars (960 ratings)

Publisher's summary

The #1 best seller in Mexico in 1990, Like Water for Chocolate is a romantic, poignant tale of family life in turn-of-the-century Mexico.

Tita is the youngest daughter of Mama Elena, the tyrannical owner of the De la Garza ranch. As the youngest, she is expected to remain single and stay at home to care for her mother. So when Tita falls in love, Mama Elena arranges for Tita's older sister to marry Tita's young man.

As punishment, Tita is forced to bake the wedding cake. The bitter tears Tita weeps while stirring the batter provoke a remarkable reaction among the guests who eat the cake. It's apparent then that Tita's culinary talents are unique.

©1989 Laura Esquivel (P)1994 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

YALSA Best Books for Young Adults

"A tall-tale, fairy-tale, soap-opera romance, Mexican cookbook and home-remedy handbook all rolled into one, Like Water For Chocolate is one tasty entree from first-time novelist Laura Esquivel.” —San Francisco Chronicle

What listeners say about Like Water for Chocolate

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    536
  • 4 Stars
    234
  • 3 Stars
    127
  • 2 Stars
    34
  • 1 Stars
    29
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    421
  • 4 Stars
    196
  • 3 Stars
    84
  • 2 Stars
    18
  • 1 Stars
    18
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    429
  • 4 Stars
    160
  • 3 Stars
    101
  • 2 Stars
    27
  • 1 Stars
    26

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolute Perfection

What could beat a vivid love story filled with lots of wonder, drama, and food?!? I blew thru this in less than 24 hours because I had the time.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A great tale.

This story was more sweet, sad and magical than I remembered from reading it in college years ago. It was an English language translation and as such, well read and compelling.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

amazing love story

i liked it and all its magical realism to epress tita emotions through her food

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Magic realism

How Tita’s cooking was able to make people feel things that they haven’t felt in a while.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • EG
  • 11-21-16

Lost in translation.

Overall, this is one of my favorite books of all time. I listen to it, in Spanish, every year. While, in general, I enjoy Kate Reading's performances, I feel that much of the emotion is lost in the translation of the book, and therefore the performance lacks the passion it should have. Still very worth the read before you watch the sub-titled movie.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Life is a point of view

The book is a mixture of fable and history. History in the sense of how life might have been in that time period. The material doesn't pull the punches on sexuality, envy, lust, romance, and love. The reader has a great voice, and sometimes that's half the battle. I recommend it, it's a "ok" / "good" book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Romantically-sad, absolutely beautiful!

Romantically-sad, absolutely beautiful. I have always recommended the movie but had never experience the book… Now, as soon as I get the chance, I will recommend it to my Book Club!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

lovely

Hearing story of lost love is just heartbreaking. The food prepared is for me like my childhood.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Magical Realism That Feels Like Non-Fiction

If you are from the borderlands or have spent an time here, you will be nodding your head with familiarity from the first chapter. Wicked, fun, sad, and thought provoking. Be sure to see the movie as well.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

The sentimental "soap" story

I t was recommended by my friend. I don't like such kind of stories.... Not very intriguing and not very deep, phylosopical.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!