aluckey@unm.edu
Although Bless Me, Ultima was banned in Arizona public schools, UNM celebrates the novel’s 40 year anniversary with a reading marathon of the book today.
The novel’s award-winning author Rudolfo Anaya said he feels the ban is unfortunate.
“I think they did a terrible thing … I feel the same way about all books,” he said. “Books should not be banned; they should be accessible to everyone.”
The native New Mexican received the Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement from the Los Angeles Times in February, and the book is the most critically acclaimed novel in Chicano literature, according to the paper.
The novel focuses on a boy’s coming of age in New Mexico in the 1940s. Anaya has also written several other critically acclaimed novels and epic poems, including Heart of Aztlán, Tortuga and Alburquerque according to Encylopedia Britannica.
Anaya, along with 48 staff, students and faculty members will read Bless Me, Ultima in the Willard Reading Room of Zimmerman Library.
Anaya himself will read the final page of the book around 5 p.m., and a reception will follow in the same room.
Anaya said he is excited to meet students and is honored to be featured at his home state’s flagship university.
The event is sponsored by the UNM English department and University Libraries, and will feature original papers from the author on display. A film adaptation of the novel directed by Carl Franklin, finished production and will be released this year
Bless, Me Ultima book reading with author Rudolfo Anaya
April 23
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Willard Reading Room, Zimmerman Library
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