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Bless Me, Ultima  By  cover art

Bless Me, Ultima

By: Rudolfo Anaya
Narrated by: Robert Ramirez
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Publisher's summary

With hundreds of thousands of copies in print, Bless Me, Ultima has been called the most widely read Mexican-American novel in the English language. Richly evocative, it has earned its place among the classics of modern literature, even drawing favorable comparisons to Herman Melville's legendary Moby Dick.

©1973, 1974 Rodolfo Anaya (P)2004 Recorded Books LLC

Critic reviews

"If you haven’t encountered Rudolfo Anaya’s classic 1972 novel in another form, there could hardly be a better introduction than this fluid performance by Robert Ramirez.... Kudos to all involved in this moving tale of growth, belief, and the nature and sources of goodness. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award, 2005 Audie Award Finalist." (AudioFile magazine)

"Besides winning the Premio Quinto Sol national Chicano literary award, this novel of a young boy in New Mexico in the 1940s has sold more than 300,000 copies in paperback since its 1973 debut.... LJ's reviewer asserted that 'the novel has warmth and feeling'." (Library Journal)

What listeners say about Bless Me, Ultima

Average customer ratings
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Great Story, Awesome Narration

This was a very beautiful, philosophical story. I enjoyed the magical realism & the bond between Antonio & Ultima. The narration was superb. One of the best I've heard by far.

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Must read if from NM

A must read if you are from New Mexico. I have a family ranch in Puerto de Luna & grew up many summers playing in the river & hanging with my grandparents & primos there.

This book is really good.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Bless me, Ultima

I was spell bound with this story. As a young Latino boy myself if brought back memories if my boyhood being raised in a Spanish colonialism in northern Colorado. Beautifully written. I recommend this book.

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phenomenal

This story was beautifully written. I loved every minute of it. I recommend it all.

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great story

this performance does the story justice.
this author paints a clear picture of people places

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great book.

Interesting story. Full of question and wonder. Great rendition of 1944 New Mexico. true to life story.

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apparently a heading isn't optional.

Wow the prose so easily took .e back to somewhat related or similar points in my life, the magic of the story, the beauty of this novel was without equal. Probably one of the greatest American novels of the 20th century. masterwork of bringing you into the world while still hearing and seeing each new sentence.

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  • R
  • 10-07-22

Losing one’s childhood

While the story took place within the fabric of another culture, the story of a boy leaving his childhood and innocence behind has universal relevance.
I highly recommend this book.

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Good New Mexican Story

This is a good story about a young boy becoming a man and his struggle to understand how religion and spirituality plays a part in life's complexity of goodness, evil and traditional beliefs. This rich New Mexican-based story interweaves the tradition of a curandera, Ultima, Catholicism, and the Native American presence, represented by the golden carp. The narrator did an excellent job.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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so close to home

I grew up in NM and some of the cultural aspects of the book hit so close to home. can't believe it took me this long to read.

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