Laura Esquivel facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Laura Esquivel
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Laura Esquivel in Mexico City in 2013
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| Born | 30 September 1950 Cuauhtémoc, Mexico City, Mexico |
| Occupation | Novelist, screenwriter |
| Genre | Magical realism, science fiction |
Laura Beatriz Esquivel Valdés, born on September 30, 1950, is a famous Mexican writer and screenwriter. She also served as a politician in Mexico's Chamber of Deputies from 2015 to 2018. Her first novel, Como agua para chocolate (which means Like Water for Chocolate), became a huge success. It was popular in Mexico and the United States. Later, this book was made into a movie that won many awards.
Contents
Laura Esquivel's Writing Journey
Early Career and Children's Stories
Laura Esquivel studied Theatre and Dramatic Creation. She focused on creating plays for children. She also trained in pre-school education. For many years, from 1970 to 1980, she wrote scripts for children's TV shows in Mexico. In 1983, she started a creative center called the Centro de Invención Permanente.
The Story Behind Like Water for Chocolate
Working in television inspired Laura to write movie scripts. This led her to write her first novel, Like Water for Chocolate, which came out in 1989. It quickly became very popular.
In her books, Esquivel often uses something called magical realism. This is a style where everyday life mixes with magical or supernatural events. It makes her stories feel both real and wonderfully imaginative.
Her most famous novel, Como agua para chocolate, is set during the Mexican Revolution in the early 1900s. The story is about a young woman named Tita. It shows how important the kitchen and food are in her life.
The book is set up like an old-fashioned women's magazine. Each chapter is named after a month. It starts with a traditional Mexican recipe. Then, the story unfolds, and each recipe reminds the narrator of a special event in Tita's life.
The Kitchen: A Place of Magic and Wisdom
Laura Esquivel believes the kitchen is the most important room in a house. She sees it as a place where people learn and understand things. It's also a source of joy.
The title Como agua para chocolate is a Mexican saying. It means someone's emotions are about to "boil over." This is because water for hot chocolate needs to be just at the boiling point.
The idea for the novel came to Esquivel while she was cooking. She was using recipes from her mother and grandmother. She even used a story from her own family. Her great-aunt Tita was not allowed to marry. She spent her life caring for her mother. Soon after her mother passed away, Tita also died.
Success of the Novel and Film
Even though some critics in Mexico didn't like it at first, Como agua para chocolate became a huge success. It sold incredibly well, becoming Mexico's bestseller in 1990. The book has been translated into more than 20 languages around the world.
Like Water for Chocolate was made into a film in 1992. The movie was released at the same time as the book's English translation. In the United States, it became one of the most successful foreign films ever. The movie won many awards in Mexico, including ten Ariel Awards. It also received nearly two dozen international awards.
Other Novels by Laura Esquivel
- La ley del amor (The Law of Love) was her second novel, published in 1995. This story mixes science fiction with a love story. It imagines a future where people work together for the good of the community.
- Between Two Fires (2000) is a collection of essays. It shares her thoughts on life, love, and food.
- Tan veloz como el deseo (Swift as Desire) came out in 2001. This book is set in Mexico City. It tells the story of Júbilo, a telegraph operator. He has a special gift for understanding what people truly mean.
- Malinche: novela (Malinche: A Novel) was published in 2006. This novel tells the story of Malinalli, also known as Doña Marina. She was an important woman during the Spanish conquest of Mexico. The book's cover even features an Aztec-style codex, like an ancient diary.
- Her more recent novels include A Lupita le gusta planchar (2014), translated as Pierced by the Sun, and El diario de Tita (2016).
Laura Esquivel's Personal Life
Laura Beatriz Esquivel Valdés was the third of four children. Her father, Julio César Esquivel, was a telegraph operator. Her mother, Josefa Valdés, was a homemaker. Her father's death in 1999 inspired her novel Tan veloz como el deseo.
Laura trained as a teacher. She started a children's theater workshop and wrote plays for kids. She was first married to Alfonso Arau, an actor and director. They worked together on several films. Laura Esquivel and her current husband live in Mexico City.
In 2015, she was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for the Morena Party. This is a part of the Mexican government where laws are made. She also served on committees for culture, science, technology, and the environment.
See also
In Spanish: Laura Esquivel Valdés para niños
