Laura Esquivel
Biography
Laura Esquivel Valdés is a renowned Mexican novelist, screenwriter, and politician, best known for her groundbreaking 1989 novel, 'Like Water for Chocolate' (Como Agua para Chocolate). Born in Mexico City in 1950, Esquivel initially pursued a career as a kindergarten teacher before transitioning into writing children's television programs and screenplays. Her debut novel achieved international critical and commercial success, becoming a global bestseller and inspiring a highly acclaimed film adaptation. Esquivel's work is characterized by its blend of magical realism, vivid sensory descriptions, and deep exploration of Mexican culture, history, and the intricate roles of women. Beyond her literary career, she also served as a federal deputy in the Mexican Congress from 2012 to 2015, advocating for educational and cultural policies.
Selected Thoughts
«Each one of us is born with a box of matches inside us but we can't strike them all at once.»
«You don't have to think about it. You just do it. Like breathing.»
«Tita was so sensitive to onions, any time she was cutting one, she would start to cry. It wasn't the searing effect of the onion that made her cry, but the tears themselves, which flowed freely, as if they knew the suffering that lay ahead.»
Writing Style
Laura Esquivel's writing style is a quintessential example of magical realism, seamlessly integrating fantastical elements into the mundane reality of her narratives. She employs rich, sensory descriptions, particularly of food and its preparation, to evoke emotions, memories, and cultural heritage. Her prose is often lyrical and emotionally resonant, focusing on strong female protagonists and their internal struggles against societal constraints, set against a backdrop of historical and cultural specificity, predominantly 20th-century Mexico.