Why a Booktrail?
191o – 1917: A romance set against the backdrop of the Mexican Revolution of 1910-17
Like Water for Chocolate
What you need to know before your trail
Tita de la Garza, the novel’s main protagonist, is 15 and lives with her mother Mama Elena, and her older sisters Gertrudis and Rosaura, on a ranch near the Mexico – US border.
Pedro is their neighbour with whom Tita falls in love. However Mama Elena forbids their marriage, saying that Tita must remain unmarried as she is the youngest sister and so her role is to take care of her mother. She suggests that Pedro marries Tita’s sister, Rosaura, instead. Pedro does so only in order to stay close to his one true love.
Travel Guide
The book is divided into 12 sections named after the months of the year, starting with January. Each section begins with a recipe so you can literally eat your way through this novel. The food is also linked to an event in the main characters life. So so true.
In Spanish the phrase “like water for chocolate” comes from the Spanish como agua para chocolate. This is a common expression in some Spanish-speaking countries which means that someone is very angry. It could also refer to the fact that in some Latin American countries, such as Mexico, hot chocolate drink is actually made by by boiling and re-boiling water with cocoa instead of milk and so to be like water for chocolate would mean that you are ready – of course this can also have sexual connotations whereby it would refer to as a state of arousal – (Tita and Pedro story?) And they say a translator’s work is never done 🙂
Tita loves to cook and is always in the kitchen – funnily enough she was literarily born in one too. When Pedro and Rosaura have a baby, Tita ends up breastfeeding him herself as Rosaura cannot. This starts up a closeness between Pedro and Tita that continues to deepen.
When the relationship is discovered, the couple leave for San Antonio, Texas, at the urging of Mama Elena. Tragedy strikes not long after.
This is the story of Tita and Pedro and their 22 year old search to get back to one another. There is a saying that the kitchen is the heart of any home and this novel proves that to be true. But watch the stove to ensure as too close to the fire and things can quickly get out of control….
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information: Like Water for Chocolate
Author/Guide: Laura Esquivel Destination: Mexico Departure Time: 1910-17
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