Romance, Magical Realism Novel

Tita is the youngest daughter of the De-Garza Family, prohibited from marriage and forced to take care of her mother until she dies as per Mexican tradition. In this story, Pedro, Tita’s truest love, is forced to marry her sister, Rosetta, in order to stay in her vicinity. Only in a freakish chain of tragedy, bad luck, and family turmoil, will Tita finally be reunited with the love of her life.

Laura Esquivel’s creative writing in storytelling makes this book a real treat! With each chapter centering around a recipe, including instructions on how to prepare the dish, it provides a unique experience to the reader. Along with the recipes, each dish Tita prepares influences the mood and outcome of the chapter. It truly is an all around amazing book with so much symbolism and emotion!

Another novel to explore is The Break by Katherine Vermette. This book tells the story of Stella, a young Metis mother, who one night witnesses a horrific scene unfold before her, she calls the police to notify them of a possible crime in the Break. Through a series of shifting narratives, those connected, directly or indirectly, to the victim recount the stories of their past up until that fateful night. Phoenix is a troubled, homeless teenager, constantly in dangerous situations and in trouble with the law. Cheryl, a painter, continues to grapple with the tragic death of her younger sister Rain. Paulina, a single mother, struggles with trust. Officer Scott feels torn between his duty to protect, and his cultural ties. Through their eyes, what Stella reported that night comes into focus. This intergenerational saga showcases a fictional, yet realistic reality for those living in North Winnipeg.

Similarly to Like Water For Chocolate, Katherine Vermette’s The Break has an interesting literary structure with each chapter being told by a different character. As you read, the full story of that dreadful scene Stella witnessed becomes clear. As well, each novel delves into the difficult subject matter of breaking intergenerational curses and traditions, in order for the main characters to find their true selves.