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Bless Me Ultima Rudolfo A Anaya 9780606062381 Books

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Bless Me Ultima Rudolfo A Anaya 9780606062381 Books

One of the most moving novels I have ever read. The characters, right out of old New Mexico culture, stand out as real people, and by the end of the book the reader feels what they feels, thinks what they think. If you want to laugh, be moved, and cry, this is the novel that will do it for you. Plus help you understand a culture now mostly lost from the high plains of New Mexico.


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Bless Me Ultima Rudolfo A Anaya 9780606062381 Books Reviews

I read this as part of a local library program that included community presentations. I would not have otherwise thought to purchase this book. I enjoyed it particularly knowing it is an early example of this genre. I found the author's voice to be interesting though did at times find the "narrator" and "protagonist" voice(s) distracting, seemingly torn between pre-teen and sage adult perspective(s). The mythical "feel" of the story appealed to me personally particularly because I had not read enough writers who directly employed it. This is a worthwhile read just for the "black hat's" ride through town (which I will not ruin here). I strongly recommend this for a light, easy read particularly if you wish to expand your experience with Chicano literature. I personally find myself increasingly interested in the genre and other authors who write it given this read.
I enjoyed this coming-of-age story about a young boy - Tony, or Antonio - who must come to terms with his own place in the world, his faith, and the people around him. Pulled between the world of his father (who yearns to return to the freedom of the llano) and his mother, who wants Tony to become a priest, Tony finds understanding with La Grande - Ultima. Tony's struggles about learning who he is and his place in the world are the same ones that all children feel, so Tony's struggles are easy to empathize with. Tony's struggle with his faith, especially with his Catholic faith after his catechism, resonated most with me.
Our book club is looking at banned books. This was at one time banned in four states, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and California. It was written at the time "Chicano" studies were popping up. This was considered a "must read". The story is told from the view of a young boy, Antonio whose family takes in the aging curandara, Ultima. She is a "folk doctor" who uses herbs to cure. One paper I read said the book was banned because of all the swearing by Antonio and his classmates. Others banned it because it "might cause unrest among young Latinos. Some places considered it un-American. The story takes place in the mid-1940s in rural New Mexico.
This is a book to read, reread, ponder and wonder. It captures beautifully the growing up of a young Chicano boy and the tug of war that occurs in me between the teaching of the Catholic Church and the folk wisdom of a native shaman. It is an old book, dealing with another age and perhaps now out of date in our modern world. Yet its issues of faith and custom, depicted in very human characters and their very human dilemmas still ring spot on true. Some may find the blending of narrative with magic and dreams unwelcome. I found them moving and illuminating. This book spoke so deeply to me, once I finished the last page I returned to the first page and started reading it again. This is a "keeper" for sure.
The imagery and setting are so well conveyed. I spend a good deal of time in the SW and this really seems like "being there". A fine coming of age novel as we follow the protagonist (Antonio) through his various trials. The mystical doings of Ultima include all the main themes of Navajo witchcraft and/or spirituality depending on one's point of view. She's part grandmother and part guardian angel and part "good witch". If mysticism is your bent, you'll love this. If you love the roots of NM, this is also for you.
Rudolpho Is a modern Shaman who brings the reader's mind, imagination, and vision to a point congruent with his own. This is the mythic magic of the writer; it is a form of sharing dreams at the core of living---Imagination. Rudolfo is a curandera of words, story, and plot.

As an author, I am compelled to say this book seems touched by the gods---by the ancient concept of actual Inspiration of a Muse---it is that good. I am teary-eyed from the truth of its impact. Rudolfo's character Antonio is momentous, iconic, and informed by invisible forces that run this universe. I am certain Rudolfo brought his own mastery of writing to this work---his own huge talent---but Rudolfo was chosen to write this book by some cosmic reservoir of limitless power.

I call him Rudolfo, because I am almost as young as he is, and I think he only needs one name, like Glalileo, Michaelangel, Leonardo, or Elvis...he is that good.

EL Jefe.

Every word of "Bless Me, Ultima" seems to glow and resonate on its own; images open and close seamlessly as on some grand, sun-lighted stage; there is not one single word I did not savor; there is not one single image I did not ponder. I found myself re-reading entire segments just to re-experience them. I believe this book to be the most perfect novel ever written.

Each character seems to possess the power of a mythic archetype. Each character is juxtaposed in conflict to another or others. Each character stands for something but wants the opposite of what others want. Sea-blood vs moon-blood; Catholocism vs pagan gods; priestly ministrations vs the seeming magic of the curandera. Brujas---witches---vs the benevolent power of La Grande.

We sail upon Rudolfo's sea of subdued conflict and turmoil, that floods across mythically sinking plains of the psyche---all under control of the questing shaman of words, Señor Rudolfo. It is a symphony of orchestrated discovery. Why are we here? What should we do with our time here? When we leave here, where will we arrive? What is the best way to become---to ultimately accomplish Ourselves.

The work moves forward as mysteriously, effortlessly, and grandly as Antonio's river, bearing gods, demons, and vast Presence. There is not one wasted adjective, or metaphor in "Bless Me, Ultima." The story and language are freed, bit by bit from the stone, lovingly, by our inspired, master craftsman, Señor Rudolfo. It is like looking at an exquisite Roman, cage-glass vase. One can only marvel and wonder, "how was it ever accomplished?" It is wondrous.

Long ago, I tried hard to like Hemingway, but I never really found in him ALL of what others obviously do. Most of it yes, but not all. But I never liked the Beatles either.

I think Rudolfo is really the writer everyone said Hemingway was. I place Señor Rudolfo Anaya on a level with Conrad, Melville, Twain, Faulkner, Steinbeck, Castenada, Hemmingway, Eliot, Yeats, William Carlos Williams, Keats, and all the other other all-time word-masters. He is producer, director, and star of this epic. Read this book---wait, no....

Experience "Bless Me, Ultima," for yourself.

***** Now...if I could only Learn herein from Rudolfo and Bless Me, Ultima, I might finally become a writer.

.
One of the most moving novels I have ever read. The characters, right out of old New Mexico culture, stand out as real people, and by the end of the book the reader feels what they feels, thinks what they think. If you want to laugh, be moved, and cry, this is the novel that will do it for you. Plus help you understand a culture now mostly lost from the high plains of New Mexico.