81 pages • 2 hours read
Bless Me, Ultima
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Book Brief
262
Novel • Fiction
New Mexico • 1940s
1972
Adult
14-18 years
840L
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.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Emotional
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
39,213 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
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 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.
39,213 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
262
Novel • Fiction
New Mexico • 1940s
1972
Adult
14-18 years
840L
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