The last of 3 daughters, Tita is saddled with a terrible responsibility that tradition carries down: in well-born Mexican families, the youngest daughter must remain unmarried and stay at home to care for her mother in old age. When she falls in love, Mama Elena refuses to bend the rules, and forces Tita to reject her suitor and assume the role of family cook. The result is a clash of wills that brings magic, love, sex, and fabulously good food to a previously unknown level of enjoyment.In a direct, simple, and compelling voice, Laura Esquivel has produced a fresh and innovative work, bringing her own inimitable strengths to a classic love story. It is read by actress, playwright, and performance artist Yareli Arizmendi who played "Rosaura" in the film version of Like Water for Chocolate.