En este nuevo libro, fruto de diálogo entre el trabajo de la imaginación y el de la reconstrucción histórica, Laura Esquivel narra con su estilo intenso y cálido la aventura vital de la mujer que creyó que el extranjero Hermán Cortés pondrían fin a los terribles sacrificios humanos de la religión azteca, pero que acabó en cambio descubriendo la crueldad no menos sangrienta de los conquistadores. ( )

Biographical fiction has the ability to give humanity to historical figures who are often painted as villains or at least show how complicated those individuals are. Such is the case with Malinche, about the life of Malinalli, a slave girl who became the voice of conquistador Hernán Cortés. Much of the book focuses on her deep spirituality and her love of her grandmother who engendered this love of the gods. She believed that Cortés with his corn-blonde hair was the emissary of Quetzalcoatl, the Nahua god credited with giving corn to humankind. It seemed the Aztec ruler of Mexico, Montezuma, also believed this when he abdicated in favor of Cortés. By this time, Malinalli had been sold into slavery by her mother at a young age, given to the Spaniards, and become Cortés’ translator. As his translator, she learned quickly that he was not sent by the gods, but found herself furthering his cause anyway. Partly because he wanted to tear down Aztec rule (and she belonged to an ethnic minority oppressed by the Aztecs), and partly because she was safer doing as she was told, rather than rebelling.
I confess, that I didn’t know enough about Mexican history to know of Malinalli. In this book, Cortés alone is known as Malinche, but historically, the name belongs to both, since he spoke through her. I enjoyed learning about this period of Mexican history, and the incredibly complex Malinalli. Esquival has great sympathy for Malinalli but doesn’t hesitate to show her weaknesses and shortcomings. Those who enjoy historical fiction will like this book. ( )

The story of Cortes' interpreter, Malinalli, known to history as Malinche. She was from one of the tribes conquered by the Aztecs, was adept at languages and hoped that Cortes would destroy the Aztec empire. An interesting and thoughtful retelling of Cortes' conquest from the point of view of a native woman. ( )

Tempo fa ho letto e riletto Dolce come il cioccolato: l'ho amato come pochi altri, mi ha fatto arrabbiare, sorridere e piangere calde lacrime. Ho preso questo sulla fiducia: una delusione. Personaggi piatti e insulsi, trama lenta e banale, sullo sfondo della conquista spagnola di Cortez. Dire che l'ho letto è troppo: arrivata a metà ho mollato, scorrendo velocemente quello che restava per un ultimo tentativo di redenzione, miseramente fallito.
Se un libro letto è una notte d'amore in meno, che almeno ne valga la pena... ( )

Book on CD performed by Maria Conchita Alonso

Malinalli was a Native woman from Tabasco, who was given as a slave to the conquering Spaniards. Her ability to speak Spanish as well as two native languages – Mayan and Nahuatl – brought her to the attention of Hernan Cortes, and eventually she became his mistress and bore him a son. For centuries, she has been reviled as a traitor for her role in helping the Spaniards conquer the Aztec empire, but more recent research has pointed to a more complex reality.

In this lyrical, poetic novel, Esquivel gives us a strong woman with deeply held beliefs who wanted to free her people. Believing that Cortes was a reincarnation of the God Quetzalcoatl, she agreed to help him speak with Montezuma. She could not possibly have known the consequences, and she realized her mistake far too late.

I love Esquivel’s writing. Her imagery is vivid and tangible. She gives equal attention to scenes of a happy childhood or vibrant festivities, as well as to scenes of destruction or death. I felt the heat and humidity, heard the cacophony of a busy marketplace, smelled the stench of a battlefield, tasted the tropical fruits and delicacies of a royal feast.

This is a decidedly Mexican novel. Esquivel infuses the story with magical realism, mysticism, and spirituality. It reminds me of the oral story traditions of my grandparents. And yet, her Malinalli is a real woman, with conflicting desires; a woman who loves or hates, feels pain and joy, and does her best to survive with her dignity and integrity intact.

Maria Conchita Alonso deserves five stars for her performance of the audiobook. She made me think of summer evenings spent sitting in the dark on my grandmother’s porch hearing stories of the old days and legends of conquest or victory. ( )