Bless Me, Ultima
Registered by GorgeousGlo on 9/23/2005
5 journalers for this copy...
Very nice edition, with illustrations.
From http://www.enotes.com/bless-me/
First published in 1972, Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima has become the best-selling Chicano novel of all time. For twenty-two years, despite being available only through a small publisher, the novel sold 300,000 copies by word of mouth and was awarded the Premio Quinto Sol for excellence in Chicano literature. In 1994, the novel was finally printed by a major publisher in a mass-market edition to rave reviews.
Anaya drew from his experiences growing up in New Mexico during World War II to create the story of a young boy who must reconcile the many conflicting influences of his family, religion, and community. In the two years spanned by the novel, Antonio (Tony) Marez, who is six years old when the story begins, comes of age when he learns to recognize evil in the world and to navigate family expectations and religious ambiguity.
Critic Ray Gonzalez, in a review in Nation, states that “Bless Me, Ultima is our Latin American classic because of its dual impact—it clearly defines Chicano culture as founded on family, tradition and the power of myth. Through Antonio and Ultima, we learn how to identify these values in the midst of the dark clouds of change and maturity.”
From http://www.enotes.com/bless-me/
First published in 1972, Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima has become the best-selling Chicano novel of all time. For twenty-two years, despite being available only through a small publisher, the novel sold 300,000 copies by word of mouth and was awarded the Premio Quinto Sol for excellence in Chicano literature. In 1994, the novel was finally printed by a major publisher in a mass-market edition to rave reviews.
Anaya drew from his experiences growing up in New Mexico during World War II to create the story of a young boy who must reconcile the many conflicting influences of his family, religion, and community. In the two years spanned by the novel, Antonio (Tony) Marez, who is six years old when the story begins, comes of age when he learns to recognize evil in the world and to navigate family expectations and religious ambiguity.
Critic Ray Gonzalez, in a review in Nation, states that “Bless Me, Ultima is our Latin American classic because of its dual impact—it clearly defines Chicano culture as founded on family, tradition and the power of myth. Through Antonio and Ultima, we learn how to identify these values in the midst of the dark clouds of change and maturity.”
At first, i wasn't too sold on this book. I have had a hard time in the past dealing with magical, surreal literature. But this story grew on me, little by little. The mystical aspects of the novel are not key. This is a story about a little boy making sense of the world, and becoming a man at an early age. Tony, the narrator, is only six when Última moves in with his family. She is a curandera, and some people believe she is a witch. But she is not. She is a wise, good woman, and Tony takes an immediately liking to her.
They all live in New Mexico, and the story takes place after WWII. Tony's parents are very different people, and each one believes that their philosophy of life and their ancestry are better. Therefore, they try to push Tony. The mother wants him to be a priest. The father wants him to be a rancher. Tony is an obedient child, and is torn.
What kept me glued to this novel is Tony's religious debate. He gets ready for his first communion. But he cannot understand certain things about the Catholic doctrine, about God's behavior. How come innocents get punished, and evil people go unscathed? Tony cannot reconcile what he hears at church and what he sees in his everyday life. The description of the evolution of his faith alone is reason enough to read this book.
Tony goes to school and gets together with a variety of boys: Horse, Bones, the Vitamin Kid. In the midst of this very serious book, there was a great funny moment: the Christmas school play. It is especially funny, because it is preceded and followed by very somber happenings. The chaos in a play put together by 7-year-old boys is something completely believable.
I did not resent the use of Spanish and English interspersed throughout. Obviously, Rudolfo Anaya spoke in what was a natural tone for him. It worked.
I loved the screams: Aiiiiiii-eeeee! Which in Spanish we would write as "¡ay!". The Aiiii-eeee must be the English translation. Yes, this is what you scream when you are in pain. Not "ouch", but AY.
So, this novel was a pleasant surprise. I did not expect it to be so deep. I certainly did not expect to be so wrapped up in it. This is one of the best coming-of-age stories i've ever read.
They all live in New Mexico, and the story takes place after WWII. Tony's parents are very different people, and each one believes that their philosophy of life and their ancestry are better. Therefore, they try to push Tony. The mother wants him to be a priest. The father wants him to be a rancher. Tony is an obedient child, and is torn.
What kept me glued to this novel is Tony's religious debate. He gets ready for his first communion. But he cannot understand certain things about the Catholic doctrine, about God's behavior. How come innocents get punished, and evil people go unscathed? Tony cannot reconcile what he hears at church and what he sees in his everyday life. The description of the evolution of his faith alone is reason enough to read this book.
Tony goes to school and gets together with a variety of boys: Horse, Bones, the Vitamin Kid. In the midst of this very serious book, there was a great funny moment: the Christmas school play. It is especially funny, because it is preceded and followed by very somber happenings. The chaos in a play put together by 7-year-old boys is something completely believable.
I did not resent the use of Spanish and English interspersed throughout. Obviously, Rudolfo Anaya spoke in what was a natural tone for him. It worked.
I loved the screams: Aiiiiiii-eeeee! Which in Spanish we would write as "¡ay!". The Aiiii-eeee must be the English translation. Yes, this is what you scream when you are in pain. Not "ouch", but AY.
So, this novel was a pleasant surprise. I did not expect it to be so deep. I certainly did not expect to be so wrapped up in it. This is one of the best coming-of-age stories i've ever read.
One more ray begins... Shipping order:
-Psyche- Minnesota (MAILED JUNE 12, 2006)
Charlenemartel - Ontario, Canada
LyekkaMarengo - Pennsylvania
Please PM the person right after you for mailing address. This is a fairly quick read, but let's say it may take you four weeks to finish. If you think it will take you longer, please post here so that we can track down progress.
Thank you for joining!
-Psyche- Minnesota (MAILED JUNE 12, 2006)
Charlenemartel - Ontario, Canada
LyekkaMarengo - Pennsylvania
Please PM the person right after you for mailing address. This is a fairly quick read, but let's say it may take you four weeks to finish. If you think it will take you longer, please post here so that we can track down progress.
Thank you for joining!
This book has arrived! Will read and pass along as soon as I can!
Journal Entry 6 by -Psyche- at A fellow bookcrosser in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Thursday, October 12, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (10/12/2006 UTC) at A fellow bookcrosser in By mail, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Am sending to PA as I couldn't get ahold of the next reader in line. Thanks for sharing this book and the ah hem something else... !
Am sending to PA as I couldn't get ahold of the next reader in line. Thanks for sharing this book and the ah hem something else... !
Another ring from my bookcrossing buddy GorgeousGlo who always has such interesting books. I have 3 rings in front of this.
This is going off to heartsong2 who has this on her wishlist.
Arrived today! Thank you for sharing with me! This book is on my "literature, arts and medicine" reading list. Looks intriguing! Thank you again! I will be sure to ray your kindness forward!
I really enjoyed this book! It was so much more than I expected it to be. Very grounded yet very magical at the same time. The characters seemed very real to me, like I could reach out and touch them. The story reminded me at times of Louise Erdrich (although her characters don't feel as concrete to me), Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck, and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. This poor kid saw so much death and darkness at such a young age.
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I hope to send this along as a RABCK for someone else to enjoy!
Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I hope to send this along as a RABCK for someone else to enjoy!
In honor of LyekkaMarengo, I am RABCKing this to Aramena who had this on her wishlist!
Posting 5/23 in the am!
Enjoy!
Posting 5/23 in the am!
Enjoy!
Arrived today -- thank you!
