Swift As Desire (Random House Large Print) - Hardcover

Esquivel, Laura

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 037543142X ISBN 13: 9780375431425

Publisher: Random House Large Print, 2001

Synopsis

The best-selling author of Like Water for Chocolate returns with a poignant and evocative new novel based on the life of her father that follows the fortunes of Don Jubilo, a telegraph operator who follows his destined role of communication conciliator, as his own life parallels the birth, rise, and eventual fall of the telegraph. (Historical Fiction)

About this title

Review

Laura Esquivel's Swift As Desire is a novel-cum-tribute to her father Jubilo, "born happy and on holiday" in early 20th-century Mexico. Now on his deathbed and unable to speak, his daughter Lluvia, the story's narrator, tries to puzzle out what had driven her parents' marriage asunder, for "even though the lines were down, their love kept travelling as swift as their desire".

Jubilo seems to have had every virtue: as son, father and friend, his gifts of communication, generosity and warmth were legion. And if his characterisation as husband leans rather too heavily on adoringly possessive Latin who makes love like a divine demon--well, let's overlook the stereotyping. His passion for his wife Lucha and their two children, his dedication to his work as a telegraph operator and his general bon vivance made him a man for all worlds. And yet, and yet... a photograph found by chance leads Lluvia to the heart of the matter.

Esquivel's frequent, interspersed reflections and observations, intruding on the narrative flow, tilt towards the trite and obvious, and are often surprisingly clumsily expressed. But the award-winning author of the bestselling Like Water for Chocolate presents her characters with such affection and zest, and such bountiful sensuality, that the book's shortcomings can be overlooked. --Ruth Petrie

Review

"'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)

"'Small but perfectly formed.' Glamour"

"'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 & Queen)

Edition details

• Publisher: Random House Large Print
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 037543142X
• ISBN 13: 9780375431425
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 317