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Sunday, March 20, 2005
Rudolfo Anaya Takes Descriptive, Spiritual Stroll in 'Jemez Spring'
By Review by Dan Herrera
Of the Journal
Rudolfo Anaya has done it again. If you pick up "Jemez Spring," his new Sonny Baca mystery, you will find paganism. And Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, shamanism, spriritism, this-ism, that-ism.
As John Lennon once said, "Isn't it the most."
Anaya can't help it. Based on his writings, he's what you'd call a free thinker. Maybe a New Ager.
But, labels aside— and even though the expression of such beliefs and philosophies may upset some people in Norwood, Colo., where his masterpiece, "Bless Me Ultima" was recently banned in the schools for a spell— above all, Anaya is a good writer, and an excellent observer and describer.
In "Jemez Spring," Anaya is at his descriptive best.
The book is a mystery in name only. There is a murder that is tied in with international terrorism, nuclear annihilation and water shortages, and Baca is asked to investigate; but the crime is just an aside that allows the detective to wander, both physically and psychologically, and fight his never-ending metaphysical battle with Raven.
In fact, the story is the topography and spirituality Anaya sees with all of his eyes as a resident of New Mexico.
His gift is the ability to put his vision into words in such a way that you remember going to the same places, or you wish you had. Except, of course, his nightmares.
Sonny Baca spends about the first 10 pages of "Jemez Spring" getting out of bed before he learns of the crime. He spends about 26 more pages eating breakfast at his favorite neighborhood restaurant before heading out from Albuquerque's North Valley to the crime scene in Jemez Springs. He arrives at the scene around page 80. That's more than one-fourth of the book.
You don't know much about the crime, but you know a lot about the people Sonny hangs with as well as his hang-ups.
This is not a criticism. Getting from bed to Jemez Springs was fantastic.
I think I've had breakfast in the same diner where the big topics of all time are discussed as if it made a difference. I'm certain I've bought some of the best fry bread ever at the same stand on the highway near Jemez Pueblo.
"Jemez Spring" is the fourth "season" of mystery in the Sonny Baca detective series. The first three were "Zia Summer," "Rio Grande Fall," and "Shaman Winter."
"Jemez Spring" is a good read with enough background to take care of the new Anaya reader.
Just remember to curb your dogmas.
Dan Herrera is a Journal assistant managing editor.
"Jemez Spring" by Rudolfo Anaya
UNM Press, $22.95, 298 pp.
Rudolfo Anaya signs, discusses "Jemez Spring" at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at Bookworks, 4022 Rio Grande NW, and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at Page One, 11018 Montgomery NE.