The Law of Love

This may be the first Around the World For a Good Book selection that is science fiction. Esquivel's novel is set in a future where reincarnations and karma are very real and central to society, and interplanetary travel and body-swapping are quite possible. Then there are guardian angels and demons guiding the primary characters' actions. All of it comes off very strange and poorly written (or is it the translator's fault?). The book just never worked as fiction, it was more of a collection of fantastical ideas. The first multimedia novel also comes with a CD with prompts to listen to at the appropriate part of the narrative as well as portions of the book in graphic novel to represent the characters' visions. It's gimmicky and doesn't show more really add much to the story. Overall this was mildly entertaining, but not really all that great, especially compared with Like Water for Chocolate. show less

Not nearly as good as Like Water for Chocolate. I did like the idea of a soundtrack and pictures to accompany the story, but the story itself left me flat. I just wasn't expecting the futuristic reincarnation fantasy. And I didn't find any of the characters to be particularly appealing.

La imaginación y el humor más desbordantes son las claves de este libro de Laura Esquivel, que muestra un nuevo e inesperado registro de su creatividad y conhfirma su enorme talento narrativo. La pasión amorosa es entendida aquí como una fuerza arrolladora que, por encima de todos los obstáculos acabará imponiéndose si somos capaces de aceptar su ley, la ley del amor. Pero los humanos somos testarudos, y nos manejamos tan mal que acabamos convirtiendo nuestras vidas en un extraño culebrón. Una tragedia que la autora nos presenta con un gozoso sentido de la comicidad.

Segundo libro de la escritora latinoamericana que logró la consagración mundial con Como agua para chocolate

This was a very different book, and I'm not sure I can explain it. The bulk of the story takes place in Mexico City in the 23rd century. Azucena and Rodrigo, after 14,000 past lives, are Twin Souls who have finally discovered each other, only to be separated after one night. Azucena, with the help of her Guardian Angel, is simultaneously searching for Rodrigo and attempting to expose a prospective President of the Planet as the murderer that she is. The plot is very confusing, as bodies and souls are switched, and past lives swirl around. The writing is vintage Esquivel, though, and that makes it easiers. The book also came with a music CD, and we are instructed throughout the book to listen to certain tracks to accompany the stunning show more illustrations of past lives and other significant events in the book. show less

"The Law of Love" is a real curate's egg. A multimedia novel, containing a CD of songs listened to by the protagonists, it mashes up reincarnation, space travel, humour, tragedy, rape, revenge, politics, satire and the history of Mexico into a story which is almost always entertaining, but never very involving. Definitely worth a read, but don't expect more than flashes of brilliance.

This puts the magic in magical realism. Azucena are Rodrigo are lovers--soulmates, but have to go through many trials for their love to complete, including karma readjustment, etc. The book comes with a CD and is worth the price just for that.

Character development is skimpy, and this is nowhere near as good as [Swift as Desire] and [Like Water for Chocolate]. It was a quick read for me, and creative, but in the end the creativity got in the way of what could have been a really good story.

Possibly the world first 'multi-media novel. Te book comes with a CD and is illustrated by Miguelanxo Prado, a graphic novel artist. The novel is by Laura Esquivel, author of Like Water for Chocolate. It follows the life of a contemporary 'astroanalyst' though thousands of past and future lives and mistaken identities (past and future). Clever and comical without being gimmicky. A very fun and enjoyable read.