Rudolfo Anaya Books

This anthology rules the roost when it comes to good writing from the west. There's a freedom of expression and a willingness to push the envelop here that I have not found with other reviews on the university level. Kudos.

Bukowski's ghost is probably putting in overtime reading selections from Blue Mesa.

What I enjoyed about this particular issue was the willingness of the writers to explore the boundaries between countries and how that influences not only our relationships but the way we tend to look at the world. When a narrator writes about cities separating him from his friend, he is writing about more than geographical distance. Kudos to the editors of Blue Mesa!

BLUE MESA REVIEW #6 doesn't pull any punches. It begins with a great dramatic monologue dedicated to the memory of Cesar Chavez. This is a special issue because it is a tribute to Rudolfo Anaya, the man responsible for the existence of the magazine. He has helped assemble a marvelous collection of poetry and prose from writers more interested in The Other than the Self. These selfless writers challenge the status quo with emotional fireworks. I would say this issue is probably the finest collection of voices to come out of the west in quite a while.

This is one of Anaya's enchanting stories reflecting the Hispanic culture of northern New Mexico, unique in all the US. This old, deep culture is rooted in high desert austerity. It is a rural life of sparseness. Beauty is found in family life and small traditions. All who read this charming story will be enriched. To see the simple "paper bags with candles" lining roads and driveways on Christmas Eve is to be transported. This story is perfect for the holidays.

The Farolitos of Christmas tells a warm story of a young girl's respect and love for her grandfather, who is too ill to keep his commitment to light fires at Christmas time. The story creates how the young girl thought of "farolitos" or "little lights" to be used to keep the promise in an acceptable way and also light the path for the carolers at Christmas time. A wonderful story that reflects the rich family traditions of the Mexican American culture. This book was one of the winners of the 1995 Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children's Book Award, given to recognize books that authentically reflect the lives and experiences of Mexican Americans in the United States.

This book is an excellent way for children to learn about their own culture or the culture of others with whom they may be attending school. This is a meaningful story of giving the most valuable of all gifts: love and gestures of personal comitment toward those whom we love. There are numerous such stories for children, but this is from the cultural confluence of the Hispanic and Native American cultures and we need many more such stories.

This is a wonderful, warm book, and gives an insight into a culture that is different from what most in other parts of the U.S. have experienced. But the culture is not Mexican American, but the Hispanic culture of Northern New Mexico, which dates back to the late 16th Century. I can't, in a short review, list the distinctions, but they are deep and significant. For more information, see the other works by Rudolfo Anaya, Christmas in Old Santa Fe, by Pedro Ortega, and histories of the area such as Horgan's Great River. In short, New Mexico was at the end of a very long journey from Mexico, and the isolation produced its own rich and unique culture.

This book is a wonderfully creative way of looking at the legend of La Llorona, as well as at a very interesting and controversial historical figure, La Malinche. The reader is able to get a fictonalized but very possible glimpse into the heart of the woman who helped Cortes bring down the Aztec empire, who bore the first mestizo children, who was considered a traitor by her people. This is definitely a book that people should read, especially those who are interested in Mexican culture, history, and legend.

This book offers a wonderfuly different and fascinating version of the legend of La Llorona, as well as another view of the very interesting and controversial historical figure La Malinche. The reader sees a fictionalized but possible glimpse into the heart of a woman who helped Cortes bring down the Aztec empire, who bore the first mestizo children, who was considered a traitor to her people. This is definitely a book people should read, especially those who are interested in Mexican culture, history, and legend.

Try to imagine that someone captured all the stars in the sky, molded them into straining human and animal shapes and then sealed them beneath a glistening coat of spring rain. If you can fix that image in your mind you have some slight idea of the power of the sculpture of Luis Jimenez. This artist uses materials that you'd expect to see gracing the clear-coated skins of street rods to make amazing sculptures of men and women who work hard for a living, play hard for life and face Death like a long-lost lover. In his book "Man on Fire" you see a collection of the various stages of the ideas that have sprung from this creative man's mind. It is fascinating to see the pencil drawing receive color, then go on to a maquette and finally a finished sculpture that more often than not looks like liquid fire trapped momentarily in solid form. It is equally fascinating to see and read about what inspired Mr. Jimenez to combine such diverse influences to create uniquely new works. Having seen several of Mr. Jimenez's pieces in person, I can say that the pictures in this book pale in comparison to the real pieces but then a pale reflection of near-perfection is still near perfection. I'd recommend this book and this artist to anyone interested in something beyond the usual and I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.

This is a beautiful book that is a cataloque published in conjunction with an exhibition entitled "Man on Fire. Luis Jimenez." The exhibit was organized by the The Albuquerque Museum in 1994. The text that accomapanies the magnificent illustrations and sculptures in different media is highly informative and gives insight into this artist from El Paso, Texas. There are several essays by different people, all of which are excellent, but the one that is probably the most interesting is the perspective by writer Rudolfo Anaya who is probably best known for his quintessential Chicano novel entitled "Bless Me Ultima." His perspective is one that reflects the imagery of the artist in a southwest fashion that is steeped in a heritage that dates back to the myths of the Americas, like a feathered Quetzalcoatl that continues to flow back and forth across the frontera(border) in the spirit of old Mexico. Of even more interest is the written word by the artist himself in which he describes "The Process of Developing a Sculpture." Not only does he explain the process but throughout the book but there are a number of drawings, usually colored pencil on paper but many times ballpoint pen on cardboard, crayon on paper, graphite on paper, etchings or watercolor and ink on paper in which you see the beginnings of what will become public art in vibrant colors in larger than life fiberglass sculptures. There are also several lithographs included. The studies for his fiberglass masterpieces are works of art themselves. The book is a bilingual text, with Spanish and English language right next to each other for easy reference. The book is a sort of retrospective that captures the artists early years of development up to the present where his works are featured in major cities and museums. Years ago I first became acquainted with his works when I saw his alligators sculpture in downtown El Paso in San Jacinto Plaza or as it commonly known , Plaza De Los Lagartos(Alligator Plaza). This was of particular interest to me because I remember as a young kid seeing the live alligators in the plaza, then the removal of the alligators and eventually the installation of the sculpture in the early 1990's. His monumental works can be seen in many different locations such as the Denver International Airport where his "Denver Mustang" greets visitors, The "Southwest Pieta" of Albuquerque, New Mexico, that was not without controversy before settling into a more "Mexican " section of town and locally(San Diego) the "The San Diego Fountain," with it's post modern design and marine life panels in newly refurbished historical Horton Plaza. Prestigous museums like the The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Smithsonian in Washington DC and The Long Beach Musem of Art are just several of the many museums that house Luis Jimenez pieces of art. As mentioned his works are featured in several museums as permanent pieces in various media including several bronze outdoor pieces and of course his unique fiberglass work. His fiberglass pieces are instanly identifiable for their briliance and radiant color schemes that reflect the spirit of the southwest. If there is not enough information here in customer reviews than do a search to see some of the images created by Luis Jimenez, they are absolutely amazing and breathtaking. After seeing some his works you will want to get this book ,unless of course you can afford one of his pieces. If you enjoy art books than this is one to look for and add to your collection. Recommended for southwest art book collectors.

The Santero's Miracle is a very sweet story that captures the culture and traditions of Northern New Mexico. The persons who carve saints (santeros) are highly regarded here. Many families have a multi-generational tradition of carving.

This story illustrates the unique culture that developed in the remote mountains of Northern New Mexico. This is a rare place in America.

The illustrations are exquisite. It doesn't matter what religious tradition the reader practices -- this is a story for everyone.

Award-winning author and illustrator team Rudolfo Anaya and Amy Cordova present The Santero's Miracle: A Bilingual Story, an English/Spanish Christmas tale about the power of miracles. Don Jacobo is teaching his visiting grandson Andres how to become a santero; the two of them are working on a carving of San Isidro, the patron saint of farmers. Due to the great snowfall, Andres' parents cannot come home in time for the holiday, and don Jacobo's neighbor, don Leopoldo, is severely ill but cannot reach the hospital. Then don Jacobo dreams of a miracle: San Isidro plowing with two oxen and and an angel helping. The meaning of the dream brings about a reminder of the power of compassion, faith, and love. The bright color illustrations practically leap off the page in this joyful and uplifting story meant to be shared.

I loved the stories- they crossed the cultural divide with adaptations of stories most of us heard as children.

The Governor of Spanish New Mexico is a troubled, lonely man, caught between his Spanish subjects, the increasingly restless Pueblo peoples, the Apache marauders, and a fanatical Catholic church that is becoming ever more repressive. One day in 1680 twelve Indian prisoners are brought into town, accused of plotting against the Spanish government. Turns out, one of the "plotters" is a beautiful young woman and gifted storyteller, Serafina.

The Governor strikes an odd bargain with this Serafina. For every night that she entertains him with a story he will free one of the prisoners. Sounds like the Thousand And One Nights, but with some unusual twists. Not only are the lives of the prisoners at stake, and that of Serafina, but the future of the territory. Can the Spanish colonials and the native peoples cross their cultural divide and live in peace? Can the stories of the gifted Serafina bring them together? Or is it already too late?

Well, you simply have to read this book. Author Rudolfo Anaya writes in a beautiful, heartfelt style, sprinkling his clear, simple English with Spanish words and phrases, to create a vivid impression of the old Southwest. Loosely based on actual historical events, the story is as meaningful as ever in a time when peoples and cultures are struggling to coexist. The stories are so well done that they become more than stories. They speak to the reader personally. This book is easily read but will move you deeply. I recommend it most highly. Reviewed by Louis N. Gruber.

There are hundreds of books about the southwest. If you can read only one, this is it. If you have any inclination to write you must read this book and listen to the CD.

A terrific book on the meaning of writing & how some writers' go about it. Joy Harjo, Barbara Kingsolver, Edward Abbey, Alberto Rios -- these are writers with depth and some remarkable things to say. Part bio, part political, part inspiration, it's one of those books I've read way more than once.

I had this book back then, and i must say that the stories are very interesting. There is one in particular that stands out from the rest and that is "children of the desert." Once you read Children of the desert-you will think that that story alone can be made into a movie. It has alot of potential. It is a love story that takes place in the southwest and part of Mexico that deals with finding love, and throwing it away because of carelessness. But if you are a traveler on ships, planes or busses then get this in order to entertain yourself you won't be wasting your time. I am so surprised that there wasn't any reviews on this book...this book is a collection of stories, i believe of his best work.

Hypothetical: Scarlett Johansson would be perfectly casted if this was made into a movie "Children of the Desert".

ANAYA MYSTIFIES THE READER WITH HIS TALENT, AND KEEPS HIM ENTERTAINED AS WELL. I RECOMMEND ANYONE THAT HAS A LIBRARY TO HAVE THIS BOOK IN THEIR COLLECTION BECAUSE IT IS A CLASSIC. THIS TEXT IS BY FAR ONE OF THE BEST CHICANO WRITINGS OF ALL TIMES BECAUSE IT TELLS OF HOW CURANDERISMO AND RELIGION ARE INTERTWINED INTO ONE UNDERSTANDING. IT GIVES THE CHICANO READER ADDED KNOWLEDGE IN UNDERSTANDING THE BELIEFS OF OUR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS THAT HAVE BEEN LOST OVER THE YEARS OF ASSIMILATION.

New Mexico is called "the Land of Enchantment" and as a native New Mexican I can tell you that it is an apt description. Those who travel through the state on I-10 or I-25 can barely sense it. It is a harsh desert land; but it is also forested, and mysterious, with a long history, older than that of many other states, dating easily back to the 1500s. Keith Wilson knows this too...all this and more and his poetry reveals a hushed secret, as if a breath has been drawn in, then expels the secrets, the soul of the place. And his laughter reverberates. --Ronald L. Donaghe, author of Uncle Sean and All Over Him