Bought this for 50¢ at a library book sale. I have another copy from a BookCrosser that I can now keep moving.

From Amazon.com;

From Publishers Weekly
Each chapter of screenwriter Esquivel's utterly charming interpretation of life in turn-of-the-century Mexico begins with a recipe--not surprisingly, since so much of the action of this exquisite first novel (a bestseller in Mexico) centers around the kitchen, the heart and soul of a traditional Mexican family. The youngest daughter of a well-born rancher, Tita has always known her destiny: to remain single and care for her aging mother. When she falls in love, her mother quickly scotches the liaison and tyrannically dictates that Tita's sister Rosaura must marry the luckless suitor, Pedro, in her place. But Tita has one weapon left--her cooking. Esquivel mischievously appropriates the techniques of magical realism to make Tita's contact with food sensual, instinctual and often explosive. Forced to make the cake for her sister's wedding, Tita pours her emotions into the task; each guest who samples a piece bursts into tears. Esquivel does a splendid job of describing the frustration, love and hope expressed through the most domestic and feminine of arts, family cooking, suggesting by implication the limited options available to Mexican women of this period. Tita's unrequited love for Pedro survives the Mexican Revolution the births of Rosaura and Pedro's children, even a proposal of marriage from an eligible doctor.

Finally getting around to composing my journal entry for this book. It is a fairly quick read, though it isn't easy for me to decide what to say about it. I enjoyed it, though didn't love it. The characters were at once annoying and delightful, even Rosaura and Mama Elena, who should be the least likable characters. I haven't as much experience with magical realism as I probably should for someone who reads lots of literature in translation, but I understand enough not to question the magic and just accept it. However, there were times when I was just a bit put-off by the silliness of events. Perhaps it is more than I am not all that captivated by the sensual relationship of food and life. For me eating is just something I need to do so that I have enough energy to read.