Customer Reviews

Alburquerque

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book,copyrighted in 1992,precedes the trilogy about detective Sonny Baca beginning with Zia Summer (1995), and then Rio Grande Fall (1996), and the latest Shaman Winter (1999). I read Alburquerque after these three novels and enjoyed them all very much, but I feel that it would have been better to read Alburquerque first before the Sonny Baca novels. This is because some of the characters are presented in full detail in Alburquerque and play a major part in the later novels. It did feel strange to read Alburquerque in which Sonny Baca plays a very minor role. Here the center of attention is Abrán González who undergoes rapid growth of character in relationship to his search for his biological mother and biological father, his relationship to his adoptive parents, and his discovery of his true love Lucinda. Those who find boxing disgusting should still read this, in which the boxing is handled with grace and drama. The story is written in a direct style with great warmth. You find yourself really caring about the characters. The 293 pages fly by as the book plunges into its whirlwind ending.

I first read "Bless Me, Ultima" for school and I loved it so I then read "Alburquerque." I enjoyed both books very much. The dreams and healing magic tied into the Catholic religion was very interesting. The characters were unforgetable and the settings in the books I could see in my mind. I could not put it down and I read both in one day.

According to Rudolph Anaya, Albuquerque lost its first `r' back in 1880, when the railroad reached Alburquerque and a stationmaster, unable to pronounce the Spanish word, dropped the letter. The title of this novel restores the `r' and by implication the "real" Albuquerque, seen through the eyes of the main character, Abran Gonzalez. The novel's plot is convoluted, involving an Oliver Twist-like tale of familial loss and restoration, a web of intrigue that stretches from City Hall to the barrio, and scenic tours of the city. It's highly sentimental, and at times rather overwhelmingly "poetic." I did find it very readable, though, and an interesting if overwrought introduction to the city. Anaya's eye on the city is, it seems to me, at least partly guided by the desire to "advertize" New Mexico, particularly in his evocation of its artist colonies, its wide open landscapes, and its self-conscious blend of mythologies and cultural identities. It's an interesting mix.

"Alburquerque" is a fine work by Rudolfo Anaya, and although I do not understand certain references to "Chicanos", this reads very well. Abran is a young man who discovers that he is adopted, and visits his dying biological mother in order to find his biological father(who we learn to be Ben Chavez), but she doesn't tell him. Abran then meets Lucinda, who was close to his mother before she died, and they fall in love. The novel follows their story, and the political intrigues involving the mayor who also wants Abran as her lover and her two main rivals, who are sworn enemies: Abran's maternal grandfather Walter Johnson who is a rich banker and has a wife of secret Jewish ancestry; and Frank Domenic, who thinks that he is descenced from the Duke of Alburquerque himself, and wants to use Abran in his scheme to bring a casino and a canal system to Duke City. There are also amusing magical elements like Coyote who helps Joe, a Native American Vietnam vet to get to Abran in time, and Juan Oso, who can communicate with bears. In other novels, certain things wouldn't work that well, but here they are used to great effect. This cannot be easily classified, but it deserves to be known as great literature

This book is definetley very well writen, and i would recommend it to anyone. It gives an insight to the mexican american world and the struggles one faces in the barrio. I usually never finish a book but this really caught my eye.

This was a great book that beautifully described the dynamic culture and diversity of Albu'r'querque. If you have ever had to make any tough decisions when you were young you will also like this book.

An interesting story full of enough tidbits of history to make you want to do independent research on Mexico and read more of Anaya's writings. The characters are colorful and have twists and turns that keep you wondering until the end. I learned some interesting bits about how politics might have been run in the times and how people's pasts never really rest.

This in an interesting rating system, and particularly difficult in a case (or a book, or a genius) like Senor Anaya's most recent writing. I read this book in 2 sittings. 'Bless Me, Ultima' was a rich read that I'm not sure would have crossed cultural sensibilities as well as this one does. So one must measure these achievements accordingly.
I applaud Senor Anaya for being exactly in tune with his time: 'Albuerquerque' could be just about any Southwestern city, or for that matter any American city circa 2001. The mixed-relationships and dirty politics could be anywhere, but given the ever changing demographic of our country he has nailed exactly on the head many levels of the many choices, changes,
and challenges of today's Chicano culture, which unlike 20 years
ago now has in fact achieved power, and with it comes all the hard choices, trade-offs and sacrifices that power brings. Ah,
equality. I loved this book, and it's interesting to read another
review calling these characters and situations 'cliche'. Cliche,
perhaps, for the Anglos on 'Dallas', but this reaches deeper:
the poet, our Nativo hero, Viet Nam, Mamasita..and a fantastic
climax..well, I'm not that jaded. On the big screen I would love to see these characters come to life. This book is begging to be a major film, and at that, a film that would be a landmark in Latino/Nativo presence. You cynical folk!! This is a VERY
important book.

Though not as personal as Bless Me, Ultima, Alburquerque is a superb novel about love, politics, family and finding one's self amidst the trappings of modern life. Anaya weaves a intricate story with several (perhaps too many?) characters who cover the entire spectrum of life in The Burque. As a former resident of Alburquerque, I love reading Anaya on the days I'm homesick for the bosques, green chile, and the warm summer nights. Just one chapter in, and I'm home again. If you enjoy novels about life and all of the sad & happy, beautiful & ugly, physical & mystical elements that make up our daily lives, then read Alburquerque and all of Rudy Anaya's books.

I was pleased to read Alburquerque after attempting Jalamanta. The latter was such new age tripe and difficult to read that I put it down after two evenings of trying to make it through. The story seems that it would have been good if the language itself was accessible. I started Alburquerque right away to make sure that I didn't need to get rid of all the other Anaya books on my list. I don't.

This is a great book about a young man, Abran, who finds out that he is adopted at the age of 21 in a letter from his mother written on her deathbed. He goes to her side and she dies that evening, but he doesn't know who is father is. His mother kept this secret in her heart and only his father knows, but had promised Cynthia not to divulge the secret.

The coming of age story is set in the midst of a mayoral race in Albuquerque, and Abran agrees to fight for Frank Dominic, a rich man who uses his power and money to get what he wants. Abran's search finds him true love, friendship, and eventually a confidence that "he is who he is" (a theme that keeps repeating itself throughout the book--an attempt to remind Abran that even without the knowledge of his biological father, he knows who he is).

Well-written, well-crafted and a very interesting book to read, Alburquerque will be on my "recommend to others" list for some time.