The Essays

Fifty-two essays exploring identity, literature, immigration, and politics by one of the godfathers of Chicano literature

In his essay “The New World Man,” Rudolfo Anaya writes, “I stand poised at the center of power, the knowing of myself, the heart and soul of the New World man alive in me.” Best known for his novel Bless Me, Ultima, which established him as one of the founders of Chicano literature, The Essays illustrates Anaya’s gift for storytelling and his deep connection to the land and its history. These intimate and contemplative essays explore censorship, immigration, urban development, the Southwest as a region, and personal identity. In “Aztlan: A Homeland Without Boundaries,” he discusses the reimagining of the modern Chicano community through ancient myth and legend; in “The Spirit of Place,” he explores the historical connection between literature and the earth. Some essays are autobiographical, some argumentative; all are passionate. A must-have for Anaya fans and readers of Chicano literature, this book will also appeal to anyone eager to explore contemporary America through fresh eyes.