ABOUT The BIG READ

“The tragic consequences of life can be overcome by the magical strength that resides in the human heart.”  --Antonio, Bless Me, Ultima

Ever feel like the world you love is changing too quickly for you to keep afoot?  Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me, Ultima deals with such a struggle, as young Antonio tells of his challenge to find meaning in his life as it is torn between different beliefs and ways of life.

Bless Me, Ultima is an intrepid look at a young boy coming of age during the clash of ideas between Southwest Americana and traditional village life in Mexico. Antonio is guided by his aunt Ultima, a curandera (meaning healer in Spanish), who grants him a seed of self-knowledge that will grow to guide him through life. 

Maryland Public Television is proud to present Bless Me, Ultima as the book of choice for 2008’s The Big Read campaign. The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services designed to revitalize the role of literature in American culture and bring the transformative power of literature into the lives of its citizens.  The Big Read brings together partners across the country to encourage citizens to read for pleasure and enlightenment. 

In recognition of the region’s rapidly-growing Latino population, the examination of Anaya’s award-winning novel will serve to open windows into a recognized but sometimes misunderstood culture.  One need not speak Spanish to glean the value of this incredibly heartfelt book. 

Branches of the Enoch Pratt Free Library system in Baltimore City will giveaway books and host readings and discussions of the novel, as different audiences come to build bridges with one another using the foundation of Bless Me, Ultima.  Additional book activities for kids on Anaya’s The First Tortilla will be offered at selected library branches.  Such literary activities will help foster a sense of unity and understanding into our communities.

Rudolfo Anaya is a tremendously gifted writer who develops a sense of understanding about humanity while blending in a sense of the mythological and occult. Tune into MPT on Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) at 11 pm to watch "From Curandera to Chupacabra: The Stories of Rudolfo Anaya," a documentary produced by fellow PBS member station KNME in New Mexico. Friends, colleagues, writers and Mr. Anaya himself read excerpts from this prolific writer's vast array of novels, short stories, and children's books. Anaya speaks about the influence his childhood and the southwestern landscape have on his writing, as well as the use of dreams and mythology in his works, that has made him into a beloved writer across many cultures. Click here to view the documentary online.

Start your own book discussion about Bless Me, Ultima here.

FEEDBACK

After attending one of our Big Read events, please share your feedback with us online. This brief survey only takes a few minutes to complete, and will give us valuable input for future Big Read activities. Thank you!

Partners & Funding

Maryland Public Television is proud to partner with V-Me Television and the Enoch Pratt Free Library for The Big Read.

The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.