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dairine's review
3.0
*autographed* & then I bumped my coffee cup and got a wee-bit if coffee on a bit of the edges. Meh.
I have context with Anaya. As a semi-native of Nuevo Mexico, I have read Bless Me, Ultimata exactly once. It remember it’s being good, but I don’t remember
much of its “craft.”
I also have met Anaya at a dramaturge production of his first? play. My minute interaction with him was less than pleasant. I was left with a terrible feeling.
So, now you understand why I’ve lugged this ridiculous autographed trade copy around and haven’t yet read it.
So I read it. and I think it’s sloppy. It bandies about ABQ references smugly, features little continuity of tone, is loose with POV, had at least one plot flaw that need a proper edit and generally just annoyed me.
So I don’t like Anaya? Sue me.
I have context with Anaya. As a semi-native of Nuevo Mexico, I have read Bless Me, Ultimata exactly once. It remember it’s being good, but I don’t remember
much of its “craft.”
I also have met Anaya at a dramaturge production of his first? play. My minute interaction with him was less than pleasant. I was left with a terrible feeling.
So, now you understand why I’ve lugged this ridiculous autographed trade copy around and haven’t yet read it.
So I read it. and I think it’s sloppy. It bandies about ABQ references smugly, features little continuity of tone, is loose with POV, had at least one plot flaw that need a proper edit and generally just annoyed me.
So I don’t like Anaya? Sue me.
lvrock's review
3.0
Anaya's writing astounds. the language sweeps across the page like a wave, and you as a reader are brought in and out like a tide. Leaving this book is hard, not because I felt connected to the characters or the plot, but because I never wanted to step out from his ocean.
Yet, I did. This is my second Anaya novel I have finished. Undeniably talented, this novel weaves personal growth, identity, and politics into a narrative about a boy discovering he is adopted. Anaya paints a beautiful picture of New Mexico here, depicting the mesh of Mexican, Spanish, and Pueblo Native American history that make up the city. It made me miss New Mexico all the more.
That being said, the plot felt flat and I did not feel connected to the characters. So, upon leaving this book I was sad to leave but it's not a story that will take permanent residence in my memory. Life will go on and this book will leave my mind too.
Yet, I did. This is my second Anaya novel I have finished. Undeniably talented, this novel weaves personal growth, identity, and politics into a narrative about a boy discovering he is adopted. Anaya paints a beautiful picture of New Mexico here, depicting the mesh of Mexican, Spanish, and Pueblo Native American history that make up the city. It made me miss New Mexico all the more.
That being said, the plot felt flat and I did not feel connected to the characters. So, upon leaving this book I was sad to leave but it's not a story that will take permanent residence in my memory. Life will go on and this book will leave my mind too.
marhill31's review against another edition
4.0
One of the great joys of reading fiction is when you get a novel that makes want to read on after you finished it. There are a lot of novels I have enjoyed reading, but once I close the book or eBook (these days) then I'm done with it. Well, Alburquerque by Rudolfo Anaya is one of those few novels I wanted to continue reading on after completing the last page.
It is the story of Abran Gonzalez, a young boxer from Alburquerque who is brought to the hospital to see his biological mother, Cynthia Johnson, for the first time. Johnson is a wealthy Anglo artist and reveals on her deathbed to Abran that she is his mother. Abran learns his mother had a relationship with an unknown Mexican man that his grandfather wanted to be kept a secret. Abran is determined to find out who is his biological father and his actual identity.
His journey takes him into the world of city politics, big business, and puts his love to the test with a young woman whom he believes she is soulmate. Anaya writes a love letter to his hometown of Alburquerque (this is the original spelling of the city's name before the first "R" was dropped) and brings the city's tri-cultural heritage of Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo to light.
I lived in Albuquerque for five years from March 1998 to September 2003 and reading Anaya's novel brought back a lot of memories and why I will always have a special place for the Duke City. Also, I knew about the desire from businessman and politicians to make Albuquerque a great city of the Southwestern United States and on the same stage as Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Denver. Anaya does a superb job highlighting Albuquerque's place as the big city in New Mexico, and its rivalry with Santa Fe (I lived there for 4 years).
Rudolfo Anaya is known for his modern classic, [b:Bless Me, Ultima|14362|Bless Me, Ultima|Rudolfo Anaya|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1474056548l/14362._SY75_.jpg|1828689], and rightly so. I would add that Alburquerque is his other influential novel and deserves to be widely read. We are in the midst of Latinx Heritage Month and I would highly recommend Albuquerque as a must read.
It is the story of Abran Gonzalez, a young boxer from Alburquerque who is brought to the hospital to see his biological mother, Cynthia Johnson, for the first time. Johnson is a wealthy Anglo artist and reveals on her deathbed to Abran that she is his mother. Abran learns his mother had a relationship with an unknown Mexican man that his grandfather wanted to be kept a secret. Abran is determined to find out who is his biological father and his actual identity.
His journey takes him into the world of city politics, big business, and puts his love to the test with a young woman whom he believes she is soulmate. Anaya writes a love letter to his hometown of Alburquerque (this is the original spelling of the city's name before the first "R" was dropped) and brings the city's tri-cultural heritage of Indian, Hispanic, and Anglo to light.
I lived in Albuquerque for five years from March 1998 to September 2003 and reading Anaya's novel brought back a lot of memories and why I will always have a special place for the Duke City. Also, I knew about the desire from businessman and politicians to make Albuquerque a great city of the Southwestern United States and on the same stage as Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Denver. Anaya does a superb job highlighting Albuquerque's place as the big city in New Mexico, and its rivalry with Santa Fe (I lived there for 4 years).
Rudolfo Anaya is known for his modern classic, [b:Bless Me, Ultima|14362|Bless Me, Ultima|Rudolfo Anaya|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1474056548l/14362._SY75_.jpg|1828689], and rightly so. I would add that Alburquerque is his other influential novel and deserves to be widely read. We are in the midst of Latinx Heritage Month and I would highly recommend Albuquerque as a must read.
malsh's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
craftbuzz's review
Probably didn't give it a fair amount of time, but didn't care for it immediately.
quietrach's review
4.0
A classic Rudolofo Anaya story. This is about Abran a young man struggling with finding his identity after learning he was actually given up by his mother. In classic Anaya fashion Abran embarks on a quest both literally as well as emotionally. Along the way he meets a cast of characters who help or hinder his quest. The story itself, like all Anaya stories follows a similar allegorical format, which in some cases may become repetitive. However, Anaya has a way of interweaving different aspects of New Mexico history and culture into his works that keep his readers engaged. This book turns out to be a fascinating history of Albuquerque politics, which even today, years later, are still highly representative of the workings of the city.
If you are new to Anaya, this is not the book to start with. It's best to start with Bless Me Ultima as an introduction to his story telling structure.
If you are new to Anaya, this is not the book to start with. It's best to start with Bless Me Ultima as an introduction to his story telling structure.
kelseak96's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A real love letter to Albuquerque! The characters feel authentic to the city and are a beautiful tapestry of stories that come together in that "big city, small town" feel unique to ABQ. I honestly wish it was longer so the characters could have been deeper and more fleshed out, instead of the sort of vignette feel, but I'd absolutely recommend to anyone who has a tie to Albuquerque.