This novel tells the story of a young Venezuelan woman who is unsure whether she should choose love over tradition. After her grandmother dies, she is bequeathed a set of journals which explain how her grandmother missed her own chance for romantic joy. Interspersed with the tales of fleeting romantic bliss are recipes and rules of conduct for well-behaved ladies.

I liked the novel because it reminded me so much of Venezuela – the food, the parties, the places. Even though the book was written in English, its cadences often seem Venezuelan. However, without the stimulus of this ongoing nostalgia, I would’ve found the book much less interesting. The writing can be a bit florid and overwrought at times.
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Comparisons to "Like Water for Chocolate" and Joanne Harris's "Chocolat" have been made, but this novel doesn't stand up to the same scrutiny or reading pleasure. Marisol's writing is a bit stilted and stuffy, even for a piece that alternates between "eras" - and presumably the "translation" of the grandmother's letters. Still the story premise isn't bad - but the main living character, the young woman Pilar, isn't really well developed. Thankfully the bulk of the story is presented through the grandmother's letters. A light enough read, but it's no piece of chocolat(e). ( )

Hard to decide what I think of this. Its either a brilliant piece of feminist writing - or a light and patronising piece of fluff.

The beginning few chapters really put me off to the book, since I disagree with many of the social views about women that were put forward. However, I understand the historical reference and how women existed in those days, yet it still didn't sit too well.

I was surprised by the graphic and explicit sexual detail. I expected some, but some of this here seemed out of place - almost added in un-necessarily.

In spite of all this, I think I began to enjoy it toward the end. Gabriela's story of love and loss is amazing, and one I think can learn from. You need to be true to your heart, and live your life according to your wishes, not the wishes friends and family impose on you. In addition to being eloquently told, it flows quickly; due to the way it's told, you don't feel too bogged down with extraneous words and it's tone is conversational - all words from a grandmother to her niece. This book also makes it easy to feel with the characters. You mourn for Gabriela and you yearn for Pilar to find what she wants and make the right decisions. So in all, I think it has the potential to be a great story, but there is too much shallow fluff. ( )