81 pages 2 hours read

Rudolfo Anaya

Bless Me, Ultima

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1972

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya tells the story of six-year-old Antonio Márez, who is torn between his parents' conflicting dreams for his future and grapples with questions of faith, identity, and morality. When Ultima, an elderly healer, comes to stay with his family, she guides Antonio in understanding the natural world and navigating the spiritual complexities around him. Includes themes of violence, death, and trauma-induced mental health challenges.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya is widely praised for its rich cultural depiction and deep spiritual themes, resonating with Chicano literature. Readers appreciate the poetic language and complex characters. Criticisms note a slow pace and occasional predictability. Overall, it is hailed as a seminal work blending mysticism and coming-of-age narrative effectively.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Bless Me, Ultima?

Readers who enjoy mystical realism, coming-of-age narratives, and cultural exploration in literature will find Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya engaging. Comparable to Gabriel García Márquez’s One Hundred Years of Solitude and Sandra Cisneros’s The House on Mango Street, it appeals to those interested in Latino heritage and spiritual journeys.

RecommendedReading Age

14-18years

Lexile Level

840L

Book Details

Genre

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Historical Fiction

Magical Realism

Themes

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Identity: Masculinity

Values/Ideas: Religion & Spirituality

Topics

Education