The novel Bless Me, Ultima, by Rudolfo Anaya takes place in the llano of New Mexico. It is the story of a boy named Antonio Márez y Luna, and the choices he must make as he grows older. At this time the healer, Ultima, comes to live with his family.

            His decisions are guided by the wishes of his parents. His mother wants him to be a priest or a farmer, however, his father wants him to be a man of the llano and to travel with him to California. He often questions which path he should take and confides in Ultima to guide him.

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            Although all things seem good in this novel, there are many shocking events through out. Antonio is witness to the deaths of many people close to him. Thereafter, many events of witchcraft and myths are told. Such are the events of the Trementina sisters cursing one of Antonio’s uncles and the legend of the golden carp.

            Finally, it is time for Antonio to learn from his uncles the ways of the Lunas, to be a farmer. It was Ultima’s request for Antonio to go to his uncle’s land and learn about the Luna side of the family. Of course, he would abide by any request from Ultima. He spent the summer there until it came time for him to return to school. However, his return home would not be prosperous.

            On the day Antonio would return home after some alarming news, he was confronted by Tenorio, father of the Trementina sisters. He despised Ultima and blamed her of their deaths. Antonio attempted to warn her and headed home.

            Almost consecutively Antonio and Tenorio arrived and he attempted to shoot him. Ultima sent her owl, her spirit, to save Antonio. He was spared thanks to the bullet of his uncle’s pistol but the owl died. Consequently, Ultima died after she taught Antonio to take life’s experiences and make strengths from them.