Overbooked -- September 6, 2023

Overbooked met in September to discuss the book Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya, which follows the Chicano narrator, Antonio Márez, as he recounts his childhood set against the end of World War II and the spiritual journey he embarks on after Ultima, a highly respected curandera, comes to live out her remaining years with his family on the outskirts of a small New Mexico town. Over the course of two years, Antonio reflects on the events and people in his life during this time that ultimately help to shape his personal identity.

The themes of the book lend themselves well to discussion, as a great deal of time can be spent solely on reflecting on individuals’ interpretations of the author’s use of symbolism, imagery, and foreshadowing, as well as the juxtaposition of both Antonio’s religious and cultural worlds. The more members discussed the book or read aloud passages that resonated with them personally, the more members found themselves becoming impressed by the depth of the author’s writing skills, which led some members to change their initial impressions of the book. 

With such a thought-provoking and engaging discussion, the members of the group reviewed the book positively with a 4.6 out of 5 average rating