Has anyone read "Como Agua Para Chocolate"?

Question

I am reading "Como Agua Para Chocolate" which is a well known book as I understand it in Mexico. It has really helped me to study, and I have learned many new words and a better understanding of the way that sentences are put together in Spanish.

I would like to find someone who can discuss this book with me. When I first started, I was almost totally lost and had to look up almost every word. Now I don't, but there are some things that I am not understanding. I think this is probably because I missed some of what was really happening earlier in the book. Also, since the book is set during the Mexican Revolution, my limited knowledge of this subject is not helping.

I have not, lo siento. - 00cdfbd9, Apr 13, 2012

Yes, I have read it several times and if you're questions are related to the storyline I might be able to help you. - mcl020, Apr 13, 2012

Answer 1

Hi kdrinning!
I'm so glad you posted this! I recently saw this book at my local library and was thinking about checking it out soon. I just finished another book entitled, "Comience a disfrutar su vida...supere las luchas de todos los días" by Marilyn Hickey. Very good, by the way! Currently, I'm reading "Los 7 pasos para el éxito en la vida" by Dra. Isabel Gómez-Bassols (Love her!) in conjunction with listening to her Audiobook CDs of the same title. I'm such a 'sucker' for uplifting & inspirational reading material. It promotes a great study pace & makes me feel good at the same time!

I do enjoy non-fiction books, as well. Though I don't have as much time as I'd like to read OR study, I like being able to do Both by reading everything in Spanish! You are so right in that reading books is such an awesome way to learn more about the sentence structure, while increasing vocabulary!

Anyway...I've read several great reviews of various movies posted here on the forum by some of our SD members and have watched & enjoyed several of those recommended. However, I haven't gotten around to watching "Como agua para chocolate" and now that I've seen the book at the library, I definitely want to read it before watching it!

I'd love to join you in reading it! I'm not sure how far along you are in the book, but I'm pretty good at reading Spanish...though I'm far from "advance" in speaking it. Even so, I'm going to start reading it & hopefully it'll be okay with you if we PM each other about it as we go along! In fact, I'll pick up a copy from the library today!

Thanks again for your post!

Sounds great! I am about 3/4 of the way through, but it has taken me FOREVER to get there. It is really a good book though. And joeblain says it's a great movie! I'm sure it won't take much to catch up with me on the book! lol - kdrinning, Apr 13, 2012

Thanks for the names of the other books as well. I will try to get them. I did get another book to read, but it is WAY to advanced for me. It's called 1324 and it is huge. I will be an old woman before I finished reading it! - kdrinning, Apr 13, 2012

Wow...3/4 of the way thru!!! That's Fantastic! I'd better get on the ball LOL Thanks so much for including me! I'll PM you soon! - Dee914, Apr 13, 2012

I see on your profile that you are from Texas. So am I. Where do you live? - kdrinning, Apr 13, 2012

San Antonio :-) - Dee914, Apr 13, 2012

You are so welcome! And thanks for sharing "1324". I hadn't headr of that one! I'll send you a PM a little later with some of the others I've read! - Dee914, Apr 13, 2012

Great! By the way, I live in Palestine. - kdrinning, Apr 13, 2012

In a state as large as this one...we're practically neighbors! LOL If you ever plan to be in the Alamo City, be sure to let me know! I love doing the "tourist thing"! :-) Lots to do & Loads of Fun! :-) - Dee914, Apr 13, 2012

Same here if you come to the Piney Woods! - kdrinning, Apr 14, 2012

Answer 2

I haven't read the book, but I have seen the movie. The movie is excellent. It is in Spanish with subtitles. You might enjoy watching it after you finish the book. It is available on Netflix if you have it. By the way, I have been told that the phrase 'Like Water for Chocolate' refers to being extremely (boiling) angry. Perhaps a native spanish speaker could explain.

Thanks. I can understand that with what happens in the book. If someone does not answer that has read the book, I will just watch the movie and see where it leads! Thanks again!! - kdrinning, Apr 13, 2012

Answer 3

From wikipedia.org, "The novel follows the story of a young girl named Tita who longs her entire life to marry her lover, Pedro, but can never have him because of her mother's upholding of the family tradition of the youngest daughter not marrying but taking care of her mother until the day she dies. Tita is only able to express herself when she cooks."