Laura Esquivel Books In Order

Like Water for Chocolate

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. For the next twenty two years, 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.

The Law of Love

/ESQUIVEL LAURA/ The intensely anticipated new novel from the author of the international bestseller Like Water for Chocolate tells a cosmic love story, a Mexican Midsummer Night’s Dream that stretches from the fall of Montezuma’s Mexico to the 23rd century. A skillful and delightfully playful blend of fictional genres, The Law of Love features 48 pages of dramatic, color illustrations by Miguelanxo Prado, Spain’s premier artist of the graphic novel, plus a compact disc with arias and Mexican.

Swift as Desire

A magical, sensuous new love story from the author of the international bestseller Like Water for Chocolate.

Instead of entering the world crying like other babies, Jublio was born with a smile on his face. He had a gift for hearing what was in people’s hearts, for listening to sand dunes sind and insects whisper. Even as a young boy, acting as an interpreter between his warring Mayan grandmother and Spanish speaking mother, he would translate words of spite into words of respect, so that their mutual hatred turned to love. When he grew up, he put his gift to good use in his job as a humble telegraph operator.

But now the telegraph lies abandoned, obsolete as a form of communication in the electronic age, and Don Jublio is on his deathbed, mute and estranged from his beloved wife, Lucha, who refuses to speak to him. What tragic event has come between two such sensuous, loving people to cause their seemingly irreparable rift? What mystery lies behind the death of the son no one ever mentions? Can their daughter bring reconciliation to her parents before it is too late, by acting as an interpreter between them in Morse code, just as Don Jublio used to do for other people?

Swift as Desire is Laura Esquivel’s loving tribute to her father, who worked his own lifelong magic as a telegraph operator. In this enchanting, bittersweet story, touched with graphic earthiness and wit, she shows us how keeping secrets will always lead to unhappiness, and how communication is the key to love.

Malinche

When Malinalli, a member of the tribe conquered by the Aztec warriors, first meets Cort s, she like many believes that he is the reincarnated forefather god of her tribe. Naturally, she assumes that her task is to help Cort’s destroy the Aztec empire and free her people. The two fall passionately in love, but Malinalli gradually comes to realize that Cort s’s thirst for conquest is all too human. He is willing to destroy anyone, even his own men, even their own love.

Throughout Mexican history, Malinalli has been reviled for her betrayal of the Indian people. However, recent historical research has shown that her role was much more complex; she was the mediator between two cultures, Hispanic and Native American, and two languages, Spanish and N huatl.

Bursting with lyricism and vivid imagery, Malinche finally unveils the truth behind this legendary love affair.

An Appetite for Passion

Celebrities and restaurateurs, from Marla Trump to Placido Domingo, offer inventive recipes inspired by the film, Like Water for Chocolate, accompanied by a foreword by Laura Esquivel and quotes about food and love from famous writers.