Bless Me, Ultima

By: Rudolfo Anaya

Narrated by: Robert Ramirez

Length: 11 hrs and 12 mins

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)

Simple story that reminds us of our Spiritual root

Performance by reader was a little comic. The story in itself is beautiful. Reminds me of the stories that old Indian Chiefs would share with the young ones. A way to teach spiritual roots, legends, a sense of respect to all, to earth, to the living, and spirits.

Mystical Coming of Age Tale Grounded in Family

I almost abandoned ship. Lately I’ve been listening to superbly narrated books. This one wasn’t. The narrator wasn’t bad. He just didn’t embody the characters. His voice was too bright. Too aggressive almost. It just want right. It took me almost an hour to get into the book. The entire time I recognized the lovely writing and thought how much I’d enjoy this book if I’d opted to read instead of listen.

That said, I’m glad I stuck it out. The story isn’t wonderful, but it has wonderful themes. It’s not fast-paced. There are quite a few slow moments, but it was interesting enough that it kept my interest.

I cared about some of the characters. Most of them I didn’t care about. I’m glad I read it. I will probably try to physically read it again and update my review then.

Outstanding Narrator!

I hadn't really enjoyed this book when I first read it and really, the story still isn't my cup of tea. However, Ramirez made it suprisingly worth listening to!

Great book. Brings great understanding to Culture

Where does Bless Me, Ultima rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It's probably on the top two.

What other book might you compare Bless Me, Ultima to and why?

Anything, having to do with culture and understanding of human differences.

What about Robert Ramirez’s performance did you like?

He was Okay. A bit slow and drug out at times.

If you could take any character from Bless Me, Ultima out to dinner, who would it be and why?

That's easy! La Ultima of course. She is the heart and soul of the Mexican culture.

Any additional comments?

I love my audible books!!

Indigenous & Christian conflict in the soul of all Latinos

Anaya’s beautiful magical realism is perfectly targeted towards teenagers. He perfectly captures the existential questions many teens find themselves wrestling with when it comes to identity, religion, and family. He is not wrong by emphasizing the fear and punishment ethos of Mexican Catholicism - because that is how so many of us experience religion. Anaya understands that religion of the earth and indigenous people have far more valuable things to teach us about ourselves and the world around us. I’m glad this book pisses off so many people. That’s how you know he’s done his job.

the performance is not good, the book is beautiful

I have read this book many times and love it . I was really put off by the performance, something about the tone of his voice was grating.It sounds like a snooty barista in hip coffee shop. I don't doubt that he is a native Spanish speaker but all the Spanish words stuck out not at all flowing as spang-lish is actually spoken. I didn't finish the autobook.

Bilingual Treasure!

At first I wondered why so much of the book is in Spanish. I understand the Spanish, but what about other listeners? Did the translator slack off? No, the book was written like this, and a Spanish translation is available. The author was born in the USA and spoke Spanish at home. As the book is a masterpiece, beautifully written, it is well worth the trouble to get a print copy and a Spanish dictionary and look up the Spanish. Then listen again to Robert Ramirez's beautiful narration. It's not too slow! It's quite perfect. . . . The first two hours gave me some long thoughts about the Mexican kids I grew up with in Bakersfield, California, Alfonso Valdez carrying his flute every day, Elvira's sparkly earrings and sparkly eyes. Then being stationed in Madrid, working in San Francisco beside a great mix of people. And now collecting hugs in the library, hearing Spanish at church, I hesitate to use my doubtful Spanish because I know their English is as good as mine -- or better! Still, on meeting strangers, admiring a baby, asking the whereabouts of Padre Mauricio, a few words can help a lot. Whatever the second language, our understanding of the spoken word is many times better than the words we can come up with. . . . In this book, I love how the wise little boy is observing very adult events and growing in love and respect toward the wise old woman, Ultima, who comes to live with his family. She is a healer; she knows herbs and healing and spells. Some would call her a white witch, doing good works, all love. AND NOW I WILL ASK FOR A REFUND BECAUSE DESPITE LONG WORK WITH AN AUDIBLE TECHIE, THIS BOOK JAMS MY IPOD USING FORMAT 4. I WILL HAVE TO GET THE PRINT BOOK. !Que lastima!

I loved listening the book. Great history .......

would like to listen to more books like this. great knowledge. ID love to learn more about this history.

Great book

I enjoyed this book because it’s like a gateway into New Mexico culture, and in all just a really good book

Growing up in New Mexico

This was required reading when I was high school and I loved it then but now that I know live in New Mexico it brings good memories and thoughtful questions of the life I was raised in with an “Ultima” of my own. Oh how I miss her! Great story and characters