To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we've decided to do something completely different. Rather than just read one book, we're going to open it up to any or all five of the compelling works from one of the most popular and enduring authors of modern literature, Laura Esquivel.
Laura Esquivel is a Mexican born author who sprang to fame more than twenty years ago with her brilliant work, "
Like Water for Chocolate." The story started as a series of installments that captured the tales of Tita and Pedro. Being thwarted from pursuing their love, Pedro marries Tita's sister, Rosaura. The two spend the next twenty years under the same roof while Tita shares her love through food. The lyrical novel offers recipes and romance in such a poetic manner; it instantly became one of the most successful books written by a Latino author of all time.
It was No. 1 on the best-sellers list for more than three years and was translated into 23 languages. The book also became a movie, with the screenplay written by Esquivel herself and directed by her husband, Alfonso Arau.
Esquivel's second book, "
The Law of Love," did not achieve as much success as its predecessor but offers a tale of magic realism at its best. The story revolves around Azucena and her beloved Rodrigo and their fate of finding love through different ages. It's lushly romantic and it pushed the forms of literary convention in a time when such things were not heard of. The book comes with a CD, the songs of which are geared to trigger certain emotion and memories for the characters, and a Manga-esque storyboard. This is hands down my favorite book and the one I'd be taking with me on a desert island, given the choice of just five books.
In 2000, she followed up "
Love" with a collection of essays on love, food, romance in To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we've decided to do something completely different. Rather than just read one book, we're going to open it up to any or all five of the compelling works from one of the most popular and enduring authors of modern literature, Laura Esquivel.
Laura Esquivel is a Mexican born author who sprang to fame more than twenty years ago with her brilliant work, "
Like Water for Chocolate." The story started as a series of installments that captured the tales of Tita and Pedro. Being thwarted from pursuing their love, Pedro marries Tita's sister, Rosaura. The two spend the next twenty years under the same roof while Tita shares her love through food. The lyrical novel offers recipes and romance in such a poetic manner; it instantly became one of the most successful books written by a Latino author of all time.
It was No. 1 on the best-sellers list for more than three years and was translated into 23 languages. The book also became a movie, with the screenplay written by Esquivel herself and directed by her husband, Alfonso Arau.
Esquivel's second book, "
The Law of Love," did not achieve as much success as its predecessor but offers a tale of magic realism at its best. The story revolves around Azucena and her beloved Rodrigo and their fate of finding love through different ages. It's lushly romantic and it pushed the forms of literary convention in a time when such things were not heard of. The book comes with a CD, the songs of which are geared to trigger certain emotion and memories for the characters, and a Manga-esque storyboard. This is hands down my favorite book and the one I'd be taking with me on a desert island, given the choice of just five books.
In 2000, she followed up "Love" with a collection of essays on love, food, romance in
"Between the Fires." Shortly thereafter, she penned "
Swift as Desire" an intriguing story about true love and what happens when communication, or lack of it, distorts it.
Most recently, Esquivel wrote "
Malinche" based upon the real-life story of the translator who worked for Herman Cortes, the Spanish conqueror. Malinche holds a controversial place in history and was seen by many as a traitor to her people. But Esquivel does a noble job examining her plight as a woman caught between two worlds. The author travels a familiar, yet satisfying, route of navigating the territory of dancing between one's head and heart.
In all of her books, the author captures an elevated sense of life and love in such a darling and endearing way, it's really hard to pick a favorite. "Chocolate" was a previous book club selection but for all our new members, feel free to start your voyage of discovery with this book or any of the others mentioned here.
Save the Date
We're still working out details but we'll be meeting on Monday, Oct. 25 at 7 PM to discuss the book at a festive location sharing delicious and authentic Latin-inspired food! Check this column next week for more or visit our blog at:
http://bestbookblog.blogspot.com/ for details.
Happy reading!
Alison
Opera Carolina launches its new season with “Cosi Fan Tutte,” featuring, from left to right, Robert Mack (Ferrando), Caitlin Lynch (Fiordiligi), Elizabeth Stannartd (Dorabella) and Marian Pop (Guglielmo).
