Bless Me, Ultima

Rudolfo Anaya

Jun 2012 · Sold by Grand Central Publishing

About this eBook

This coming-of-age classic from "one of the nation's foremost Chicano literary artists" follows a young boy as he questions his faith and beliefs after a curandera woman introduces herbs and magic into his life (Denver Post).

Antonio Marez is six years old when Ultima comes to stay with his family in New Mexico. She is a curandera, one who cures with herbs and magic. Under her wise wing, Tony will probe the family ties that bind and rend him, and he will discover himself in the magical secrets of the pagan past--a mythic legacy as palpable as the Catholicism of Latin America. And at each life turn there is Ultima, who delivered Tony into the world... and will nurture the birth of his soul.

Ratings and reviews

At first I really disliked this book as it was forced upon me for a High School reading assignment for my English 1-2 H class, but as I read it more and more, I could begin to relate to the book in many ways. The book isn't written to show anything specifically other than the fact that everyone has their decisions to make and that they must believe in themselves to follow. It is very symbolic and deep in meaning and you must know some basic spanish to fully understand the novel. The ending wrapped up good, however it was injected in as if it were rushed as the summer nearing the end was just descriptive with only one chapter really going over it. I would have liked the book more though if the author had made it a bit more explicit to show on why he wants readers to stay into reading his work. Even after reading it, I can still only partially understand the point and or purpose of the novel.

A young boy growing up in old New Mexico amidst Catholicism, spiritualism, and the conflict between them. He learns life's lessons from his grandmother who comes to live with the family. Great novel. Much symbolism abounds in this small powerful book. DRAWBACK FOR THE NON-SPANISH SPEAKER: The author lends the book authenticity by using many Latin idiomatic expressions, without a translation. Dictionary required.

I grew up in Santa Rosa NM. Reading this book takes me back home everytime. Anaya is a true man of wisdom and culture. Watch the movie!! Awesome read!! I want people to understand our way of life back home. I live in Baltimore now and I love sharing this book with friends as they are not aware of how in tune Anaya is with our lovely New Mexico. Five stars for sure. I cannot wait to see the movie. I can feel the tierra and smell the llano when I read this novel.

About the author

Rudolfo Anaya is the bestselling author of the beloved Bless Me, Ultima, and one of the founding voices in modern Chicano literature. In 2016 he was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama. A former professor at the University of New Mexico, he won numerous literary awards, including the Premio Quinto Sol National Chicano literary award, the 2007 Notable New Mexican Award, and the PEN Center USA West Award for Fiction. Bless Me, Ultima was named a Great American Read by PBS, and it has been adapted into a feature film, an opera, and several stage plays. Anaya was a lifelong champion of Chicano voices and devoted himself to supporting aspiring writers. He passed away on June 28 2020.