"The Big Read" - an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts - was designed to revitalize the role of literary reading in American Popular Culture.
In a NEA report in 2004, it was revealed that there has been a critical decline in reading for pleasure in American Adults in recent years.
The Big Read addresses that problem by providing citizens with the opportunity to read and discuss a single book within their communities.
When I encountered the Director for the program at the West Hollywood Book Fair a few weeks ago, he invited me to read an excerpt from Rudolfo Anaya's Novel - "Bless Me, Ultima" - slated to be performed over a several week period by a handful of readers.
"A novel is not written to explain a culture, it creates its own," author Rudolpho Anaya asserted in publicity hand-outs.
In essence - "Bless me, Ultima" - is a coming-of-age novel about a young boy's loss of innocence and approach to maturity.
In addition, the entertaining novel also deals with tradition and education, faith and doubt, and the concepts of good and evil.
No one in "Bless me, Ultima" doubts the existence of mystery and magic, notes the publisher.
Miracles, signs, and symbols form a rich part of the New Mexican Catholic Culture of Anaya's world, after all.
Much of the main character's struggle stems from a desire to understand the "correct" source of miracles - whether it be the Catholic Church - or the "curandera".
The curandera character (a witch) - Ultima - acts as a guide for the troubled Antonio man on his spiritual quest.
Along the way, the seeker learns about herbs and remedies of the ancients, and comes face-to-face with stirring legends about the "Weeping Woman" and the "Golden Cup".
Ultima does not tell Antonio what to believe, but how to make choices.
Anaya spent seven years writing the book, which was later published by a small Berkeley Press known as Quinto Sol.
When "Bless me, Ultima" was printed, the author received a $1,000 prize.
Warner Books later acquired the rights.
Since 1972 the novel has become part of the of high school English and University Chicano Literature classes.
Writer Tony Hillerman crowned Mr. Anaya the "Godfather and Guru" of Chicano literature sometime thereafter - which is a honor - that has stuck.
Mr. Anaya was born in the small village of Pastura near Santa Rosa (Mexico).
It is alleged that when Anaya was born to a young farm girl and cowboy father, that the local cunandera (who assisted with the birth) set out tools of both family trades near the newborn.
To the surprise of everyone present, the child reached for a pencil and paper.
At the University of New Mexico, Anaya found a strong voice with the El Movimiento, a Chicano Civil Rights movement in the 1960's.
At this juncture, Anaya was encouraged to pen books that explored his cultural heritage.
After graduating with a B.A. and an M.A., he proceeded to teach at middle schools, high schools, and Universities.
A distinguished career in literature followed.
Indeed, to date, Mr. Anaya has penned at least thirty-five books that fall into three basic categories: novels, stories, and essays.
A first excerpt of "Bless me, Ultima" will be read on Sunday November 16th at the West Hollywood Public Library at 4 p.m.
Location:
647 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA, 90069
Info:
323.848.6534
This event is free and open to the public.
Light refreshments will be served.
