Bless Me, Ultima discussion

do not read it, it is not worth it. This book made me very uncomfortable and bored for my standards and reasons undescribable

well tastes differ! I have read this book multiple times and loved it every read!

do you have a religion?

I enjoyed this story. Full of interesting archtypal characters and and ancient beliefs.

Same here Melissa! My mother is from new Mexico and mi Abuela used to talk about curanderas and brujas. Growing up Catholic, I had many of the same questions growing up. Anaya is spiritual but not religious.

I disagree, worth a read

Benton wrote: "do not read it, it is not worth it. This book made me very uncomfortable and bored for my standards and reasons undescribable"

I think that is part of what makes a book good. If a book makes you uncomfortable, then the author is doing his job: challenging you and your beliefs. The fact that this book made me uncomfortable is a huge reason for why I like it so much.

so boring, nothing happens

Oh, I am really enjoying this book! I read it because I was hoping to get it onto the summer reading list for my school. But I have to say the writing is beautiful and the story is very soulful. Also what a person can do with the text is fantastic, it's a meaty and rich story with a lot of literary analysis just waiting for a student.

I read this book on the recommendation of a friend who had read it in college. I tried to find other books by the author because I was so drawn in but many aren't available and some even ban. So unacceptable in this day and age, great story. I really enjoyed it.

Rudolfo Anaya is a brilliant and IMO underrated writer. Besides Bless Me, Ultima,which is my personal favourite, Tortuga is also excellent and set in the same universe as Bless me Ultima. He was written a number of great children's books as well as a collection of short stories in Serafina's Stories which is also historical. Anaya also wrote mystical thrillers called the Sonny Baca detective series which is excellent the first one is Zia Summer

Great work that demonstrates the development of independent thinking in a young child. I enjoyed the way Anaya taps into the Mexican/American culture and the way that religions and beliefs are harmonized, even if they often are contradictory.

Our book group read this a few years ago. It did not speak strongly to me but I would recommend it to others as an interesting story.

Guillermo wrote: "Great work that demonstrates the development of independent thinking in a young child. I enjoyed the way Anaya taps into the Mexican/American culture and the way that religions and beliefs are harm..."

I wish Goodreads had a "like" button!

I enjoyed the book, but I do realize it is not for everyone. It hit home because of my Mexican-American and Catholic background.

Read it! I'm an atheist, but wasn't offended. It's a book of culture more than religion.

David wrote: "Tiffany wrote: "Benton wrote: "do not read it, it is not worth it. This book made me very uncomfortable and bored for my standards and reasons undescribable"

I think that is part of what makes a b..."

Wow you asked me ages ago. I'm sorry that I didn't see it. It made me uncomfortable because I am a Christian, and it made me question whether my beliefs are silly and whether there even is a God, and a few other things that I don't really remember because it has been a while since I read it. There are great questions to be asked though. Faith isn't really faith until it has been challenged and has overcome adversity. This book is absolutely one of my favorite books of all time. Plus that metaphor about the bird carrying a mountain of sand over the ocean, one grain at a time is incredibly gorgeous. It is one of my favorite passages in literature, contained in one of my favorite works!

Tiffany wrote: "David wrote: "Tiffany wrote: "Benton wrote: "do not read it, it is not worth it. This book made me very uncomfortable and bored for my standards and reasons undescribable"

I think that is part of ..."

I agree, Tiffany, being challenged and questioning often leads to deeper faith.