Author:Laura Esquivel
Don Jubilo entered the world smiling rather than crying like other babies, and his life mission is to bring happiness to everyone's lives. Even as a young boy, acting as interpreter between his warring Mayan grandmother and his Spanish-speaking mother, he mistranslates words of spite into words of respect, so that their mutual hatred turns to love. When he grows up, he puts his gift for hearing what is in people's hearts and interpreting it to others, to good use in his job as the village telegraph operator. But the telegraph now lies abandoned, obsolete as a means of communication in the electronic age, and don Jubilo is on his deathbed, mute and estranged from his beloved wife, Lucha, who refuses to speak to him. What tragic event has come between such two sensuous, giving people to cause this seemingly irreparable rift? What mystery lies behind the death of their son, Ramiro, whom no one ever mentions? Can daughter Lluvia bring reconciliation to their parents by acting as an interpreter between them, just as Jubilo did for his grandmother and mother when he was a boy?
This bittersweet story of the humble telegraph operator with a talent for curing misunderstanding, for hearing sand dunes sing and insects whisper, is based on the story of Laura Esquivel's own father, just as the much-loved LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE was inspired by her mother's family. Romantic, poignant, touched with graphic earthiness and wit, Esquivel shows us how, in our computerised world of excess, keeping secrets will always lead to unhappiness, and how old-fashioned speaking to each other can redress and heal all our wrongs.
'Esquivel's special gift is making ordinary lives appear extraordinary.. Ten years since LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE, but (Esquivel) has lost none of her touch.'
—— The Birmingham Evening Mail'Esquivel tells a story with earthy, observant sensuality ... it vividly evokes universal emotions in an exotic world.'
—— Jessica Mann , Sunday Telegraph'A beautiful story, rich with love, that closely examines language, communication and misunderstanding.'
—— Punch'Haunting and hypnotic love story.'
—— Harpers & QueenShe is a terrific plotter
—— Guardiandraws national intelligence...reality-like fiction
—— Christophe Chataigne , Socialist ReviewAn entertaining read with a distinctive voice - and her most ambitious work yet
—— Financial TimesI fell in love with it. It was dark and dangerous and incredibly thrilling with tons of action, more intrigue than I knew what to do with, surprises around every corner, and psychological and theological undertones.
—— Paranormalbookclub.co.ukThe Thirteenth Sacrifice is suspenseful and creepy - I enjoyed it.
—— Michellesramblins.comA terrific thriller.
—— Alternativeworlds.comThe characters are well-rounded and interesting…the imagery beautifully described… I enjoyed The 13th Sacrifice immensely, and will definitely be following the Witch Hunt saga with interest.
—— Verity Hayter , Geek Planet OnlineFor Christmas, I will give to dinner party conversationalists:... Tom Wolfe’s Back to Blood.
—— Fay Weldon , Daily TelegraphWhat really drives all this is Wolfe’s extraordinary style.
—— Robert Murphy , MetroAs broad and panoramic as ever.
—— Craig Brown , Mail on SundayThere are some dazzling satirical riffs and politically incorrect laughs.
—— Jake Kerridge , Sunday ExpressWolfe’s prose is as punchy as ever.
—— Time OutEnergetically set against the deco licentiousness of Florida’s steamiest party capital.
—— VogueClass, family, wealth and corruption are all themes in this examination of life in Miami.
—— Sunday Business Post[Tells] us about the way we live now... enjoyable.
—— Wynn Wheldon , SpectatorClassic Wolfe. A delight
—— William Leith , Evening StandardEpic, hectic, satirical… It’s scathing, funny, and has great set-piece scenes
—— Brandon Robshaw , Independent on SundayContemporary Miami gets the Wolfe treatment in a grand, sweeping satire on race, class, lust and immigration
—— Sunday Telegraph
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