Bendíceme, Última (Bless Me, Ultima)

by Rudolfo Anaya

Overview

The author of "Alburquerque" presents the story of young Antonio Marez, who has been raised under the protective wing of a mystic and herbal healer and seeks out his family heritage while learning the secrets of his mentor.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780446601771
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	09/01/1994
Edition description:	Spanish-language Edition
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	233,580
Product dimensions:	4.25(w) x 6.75(h) x 0.75(d)
Language:	Spanish
Age Range:	14 - 18 Years

About the Author

Rudolfo Anaya is the bestselling author of the beloved Bless Me, Ultima, and one of the founding voices in modern Chicano literature. In 2016, he was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Barack Obama. A former professor at the University of New Mexico, he won numerous literary awards, including the Premio Quinto Sol National Chicano literary award, the 2007 Notable New Mexican Award, and the PEN Center USA West Award for Fiction. Bless Me, Ultima was named a Great American Read by PBS, and has been adapted into a feature film, an opera, and several stage plays. Anaya was a lifelong champion of Chicano voices and devoted himself to supporting aspiring writers. He passed away on June 28, 2020.

Editorial Reviews

Dario Tangelson lleva esta novela a un nuevo nivel por su narración excelente. Se trata de un niño de seis años, Antonio, cuyo destino se ve influido por una curandera con poderes mágicos que se llama Última. La voz de Tangelson transmite el dialecto regional único de una comunidad predominantemente hispanohablante de Nueva México en los años 40. Allá, Antonio se ve enrollado en el conflicto entre las creencias católicas de su madre y la relación que tiene Última con el poder de la naturaleza. Tangelson comunica las voces de todos los personajes de manera estupenda, especialmente los gritos de muerte y la voz interior de Antonio, llena de angustia y sentimiento para su familia. Su interpretación amenazadora del antagonista Tenorio chisporrotea e intensifica el suspenso de esta historia explosiva. L.R.P., Trans.



[ENGLISH TRANSLATION]--Rudolfo Anaya’s partly autobiographical novel about 6-year-old Antonio, whose destiny is influenced by Última, a natural healer with magic powers, is taken to a new dimension by Argentine narrator Dario Tangelson. His voice precisely transmits the spirited local dialect of a predominately Spanish-speaking 1940s New Mexico community. There Antonio becomes conflicted between his mother’s Catholic beliefs and Última’s relationship with the power of nature. Tangelson superbly conveys the voices of all the characters, especially their screeching and painful cries of death and Antonio’s inner voice, filled with anguish and affection for his family. Tangelson's crackling and menacing interpretation of the voice of Tenorio, the antagonist whose evil aim is to destroy “the witch,” further deepens this explosive tale of suspense. K.P. © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine

JANUARY 2010 - AudioFile