According to Esquivel critic Elizabeth M. Willingham, despite the fact that the novel was poorly received critically in Mexico, Como agua para chocolate "created a single-author economic boom, unprecedented in Mexican literature or film of any period by any author" and "went into second and third printings in the first year of its release and reached the second place in sales in 1989" and "became Mexico’s 'bestseller' in 1990".Willingham. "Introduction: Early Critical Reception."'2010. 5–8. The novel has been translated into more than 20 languages."Kitchen is home's heart for 'Chocolate' author Esquivel. Deirdre Donahue. USA Today Life; Pg. 8D. November 18, 1993.
