Bless Me, Ultima

New York, NY: Warner Books. Very Good+. 1999. First Edition Thus; Ninth Printing. Paperback. Very Good+ to Near Fine in Wraps: shows just a touch of wear to the corner tips with a short, very faint crease near the lower front corner; two pages are creased right at the upper corner tip; the expected light tanning to the text pages due to aging; the binding leans slightly but remains secure; the text is clean. Free of creases to the backstrip. Free of underlining, hi-lighting, marks, or marginalia in the text. Free of any ownership names, dates, addresses, notations, inscriptions, stamps, plates, or labels. An attractive copy, showing mild wear and a couple of minor unobtrusive imperfections. Would make a handsome reading copy. NOT a Remainder, Book-Club, or Ex-Library. 8vo. (8 x 5.25 x 0.85 inches). New Introduction by the Author. Language: English. Weight: 9 ounces. Reading Group Guide. Trade Paperback. Rudolfo Anaya (1937 – 2020) was an American author. Noted for his 1972 novel Bless Me, Ultima, Anaya was considered one of the founders of the canon of contemporary Chicano and New Mexican literature. He initially faced tremendous difficulty getting his work published by mainstream publishing houses because of its unique combination of English and Spanish language, as well as its Chicano-centric content. Independent publishing house Quinto Sol published the book after awarding it the Premio Quinto Sol in 1971 for best novel written by a Chicano. The themes and cultural references of the novel, which were uncommon at the time of its publication, had a lasting impression on fellow Latino writers. It was subsequently adapted into a film and an opera. Bless Me, Ultima is ultimately a novel about belief. In Southwestern America, there are many systems of belief which compete for the devotion of an individual--Catholicism brought by the Spanish, polytheism which has existed for thousands of years, and the worship and adoration of nature itself. This book is a story of a young man, Tony, and his quest for truth. He encounters all of these systems of belief, and endures a great deal of suffering in his youth. These experiences mold him, and the book focuses on his attempt to find the great truth amidst so much hardship and among so many types of faith. Anaya is a great storyteller, and this book certainly does not lack in action. The supernatural element is very strong, and very compelling, and the novel leaves a strong impression of unity and harmony with nature, even in the face of a very real and very powerful evil. This struggle of faith is very well represented in the book. This novel provides an interesting insight to the unique culture of the American Southwest. ; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; xi, 290 pages .