Malinche

by: Laura Esquivel; Translated by Ernestro Mestre-Reed

Published by: Atria (May 2006 Release)

Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann, Chanhassen (MN) Librarian

Laura Esquivel wrote both the novel and the screenplay for Like Water for Chocolate; her husband, film director Alfonso Arau, directed the movie.

Malinche is the story of Malinalli, a young girl who is a slave given to the conqueror Cortes following one of his first battles after landing in Mexico. She had been raised by her father's mother, after her father's death, and she has beautiful memories of lessons her grandmother taught her; lessons connecting her to the earth, fire, wind and water of the native gods.

When her grandmother died, her mother sold her into slavery--at age 5. After years of serving in various Mexica tribes, she is good at languages, learns Spanish quickly and begins to serve as interpreter for Cortes. She becomes "The Tongue." She is acutely aware of her role, and what her fate will be if the Spaniards fail--and she tries to translate with as much accuracy as she can.

At the beginning she is baptized, and she likes this new religion that does not require human sacrifice; it seems much kinder and gentler. Then she witnesses the wholesale slaughter of the town of Choluca. Malinalli knows that Cortes is not Quetzelcoatl--not the god returned that many think he is, but human and flawed and in love with only gold and power.

Esquivel's talent is her words and phrases; her images are poetic. She tells the tale in a format not usual for western novels, more in the style of Garcia Marquez's magical realism. One of the strengths of the novel is the philosophical comparisons between Mexica beliefs and those of the Catholic conquerors, as Malinalli tries to comprehend what is going on around her.

Armchair Interviews says: This will make a superb book club selection, a challenge for sure, but worth it. Especially recommended for church-affiliated book clubs.