Okay guys, so maybe I'm the only slow one who is just now finishing the book. Sorry to make you all wait so long to hear my thoughts on the book as a whole.
Right now the biggest theme that stands out to me is that of religion; I'll post on other topics later, but I'd love to get some other perspectives on Antonio's struggles to rectify the various belief systems that he encounters. I agonized with him as he brewed over the questions of which magic, which power was legitimate. Should he pray to la Virgen or to God? Is the magic carp the real god? How can a good God let good people die? Why did the priests seem powerless against the evil spirits?
The stuffiness and ritualism of the Catholic church stand out to me. Anaya seems to voice some of his own criticisms of the Catholic church via Florence. How old is Florence anyway? Nine or ten years old? Did it occur to anyone else that this kid is too young to be forming such advanced theological opinions? Florence rejects what he knows as a power-weilding, compassionless God. Sadly, critics of the Catholic and the Protestant church often hold this view of God as a hands-off, unforgiving bully. What do you think of Antonio's final decision about his belief in God? What does Antonio believe about organized religion? What did you think of the hypocrisy of the children's beating of Antonio before entering the church for ceremonial confession?
What do you make of Antonio's final synthesis of everything that has happened to him over the course of the book? At the book's close, is he ready to embrace life as a man? Will Antonio create his own "just be good and care about people and embrace beauty" religion? In his last moments with her, Última becomes Antonio's priest. She has been his real spiritual mentor and role model all along. He heeds her advice; he follows her instructions; she watches over him; and she allows him space to grow and discover what he believes. Given the choice between Última and the town priest, I think I would want la curandera as my spiritual advisor.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
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