I’ve read this book three times and on each occasion I’ve been as enraptured by the story as I was upon my first reading. Tita is the youngest daughter of Mama Elena, and according to tradition Tita is forbidden from marrying her sweetheart, Pedro, because she is destined to take care of her mother until the day she dies. As a result Tita is relegated to a lonely life, with only her beloved recipes as an outlet for her emotions; and what happens in Tita’s kitchen is magical. For instance, when Mama Elena decides to marry Pedro to Tita’s older sister, Tita is ordered to make the couple’s wedding cake as punishment for daring to hope for love. Tita obeys, but can’t stop herself from weeping as she makes the icing, working her tears into the meringue. As a result, when the cake is served to the wedding guests each person is suddenly overcome with an intense longing, for all the loves they’ve lost in their lives, for all the opportunities missed and sacrifices made. Mama Elena is convinced that Tita has vengefully poisoned the cake, but in reality Tita’s emotions have inadvertently become tied to the dishes she creates in her kitchen. “Like Water for Chocolate” is filled with uncanny scenes and succulent recipes, all of which are narrated in the deft, enchanting voice of Tita’s great-niece, who learned of her aunt’s recipes by discovering her handwritten cookbook. Lively, entertaining and enchanting, if you haven’t read this book - you must!