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Instead of entering the world crying like other babies, Júbilo 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 sing and insects whisper. Even as a young boy, acting as an interpreter between his warring Mayan grandmother and his 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 Júbilo 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, just as Júbilo used to do for other people?

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.

This was my first book by Esquival, so I couldn't compare it to 'Like water for chocolate' which most reviewers seem to think was a better book.

It was whimsical and charming in places, with a slight magical edge which I enjoyed. The characters were interesting and the plot moved (sometimes predictably) along at a reasonable pace. I liked the history which was an integral part of the story, how technology moves along and how it helps or hinders those using it.

Overall I enjoyed this novel, although it was sad/bittersweet with inability of people who love each other to communicate.