Swift As Desire: Summary and book reviews of Swift As Desire by Laura Esquivel, plus links to an excerpt from Swift As Desire and a biography of Laura Esquivel.

Instead of entering the world crying like other babies, Júbilo was born with a smile on his face. He had a gift for hearing what was in people's hearts, for listening to sand dunes sing and insects whisper. Even as a young boy, acting as an interpreter between his warring Mayan grandmother and his Spanish-speaking mother, he would translate words of spite into words of respect, so that their mutual hatred turned to love. When he grew up, he put his gift to good use in his job as a humble telegraph operator. But now the telegraph lies abandoned, obsolete as a form of communication in the electronic age, and don Júbilo is on his deathbed, mute and estranged from his beloved wife, Lucha, who refuses to speak to him. What tragic event has come between two such sensuous, loving people to cause their seemingly irreparable rift? What mystery lies behind the death of the son no one ever mentions? Can their daughter bring reconciliation to her parents before it is too late, by acting as an interpreter between them, just as Júbilo used to do for other people? Swift as Desire is Laura Esquivel's loving tribute to her father, who worked his own lifelong magic as a telegraph operator. In this enchanting, bittersweet story, touched with graphic earthiness and wit, she shows us how keeping secrets will always lead to unhappiness, and how communication is the key to love.

Media Reviews

Booklist - Kathleen Hughes Fans of Esquivel, and there are many, will definitely enjoy this beautifully written story done in her trademark magical and bittersweet style.   Publishers Weekly The princess of modern Latin literature (second only to Isabel Allende) has written yet another quirky and sensual story with a moralistic twist, its cute-as-can-be characters arguing and loving with equal passion...... Esquivel's storytelling abilities are in top form here, and, despite its unoriginality, the novel succeeds in conveying a touching message of the power of familial and romantic love.   Library Journal - Mary Margaret Benson Once again, Mexican novelist Esquivel mixes together an unexpected blend of ingredients, in this case Mayan and Aztec numerology, communication technologies (from telegraphs to computers), and human passions..... full of passion, fascinating cultural history, and endearing characters and will be enjoyed by her many fans.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by maria
DEFINATLY A GOOD BOOK.....however, the plot skiped all over the place (i think in an attempt to try a new writing style) and it was extreemly difficult to read. on the other hand, i would have to say that there is something for everyone. i chose to...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Josie Black
fantastic, racy. esquivel has yet again managed to use her amazing story telling skills to write yet another passion filled novel. not as original as "like water for chocolate" but still inspiring and leaves the reader hopeful....

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