The Albuquerque barrio portrayed in this vivid novel of postwar New Mexico is a place where urban and rural, political and religious realities coexist, collide, and combine. The magic realism for which Anaya is well known combines with an emphatic portrayal of the plight of workers dispossessed of their heritage and struggling to survive in an alien culture.
This book shows how significant family can be. And the impact that economics and society has on youth. The bruja (witch) gives the mystical stories/feel to the book, similar in the authors other book Bless Me Ultima. I really think that you will like this book and tell others about it!
Response to a reader
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 20 years ago
Itd be nice to read a Chicano writer that can actually write? Rudolfo Anaya is credited by many as actually being the founder of Chicano writing. Idiot (a reader). As I read his literature, I feel as if Ive been exposed to a whole world and culture I would otherwise be almost oblivious to. No doubt, there is magic in this man's writings.
Pretty Good
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 21 years ago
This was a pretty good book. Anaya tells a shifting story about the Chavez family moving away from ther land in Guadalupe and adapting to an urban life in a 1950s New Mexico barrio. Anaya gives a fairly convincing account of chicano lifestlye in the barrio. He describes all aspects of the chicano culture, even a bit of superstition and magic. Beyond all this, Anaya's novel includes a kalediscope of happenings that make it very easy to just read without stopping. There's a lot more to it than simply reflecting on the barrio culture. It is interesting, enjoyable and definately worth reading.
Heart
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 22 years ago
Loved this. Reminded me of legends and superstitions I grew up with in Northern New Mexico.
Real, authentic life stories from a true Latino writer.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 24 years ago
Rudolfo Anaya has a remarkable way of telling a stroy from the eyes of person that grew up in the southwest. Rudolfo's descriptions of the life and strugles of his characters always make reminds me of my child hoood while growing up in that culture. His books tell it like it is or was and the Heart of Aztlan is no exception. It is a plesure to read a book from an author who takes his characters from real life experiences. If you want to see life through a Hispanic growing up in the southwest read Heart of Aztlan.
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