Jalamanta Rudolfo Anaya
Discuss This Book--After reading Bless Me Ultima, I expected another great book by this author, when I began reading Jalamanta. Unfortunately that isn't exactly what I got.
The book isn't terrible - but it's not great either. Through Jalamanta, Anaya teaches a spiritual philosophy. Jalamanta walks on the Path of the Sun.
The actual plot of this book is reminiscent of George Orwell's 1984. The book never gives a specific era for the setting, but mentions that it is nearing the end of an age. The people are at war with one another, and distrustful not simply of each other, but of themselves. The Central Authorities (much like the Thought Police in 1984) strive to keep the people under control through fear and distrust.
Jalamanta was one who spoke out against the dogma of the Central Authorities, and was exiled to be a desert wanderer for 30 years. The book begins as Jalamanta returns from the desert to find that the woman he loves, Fatimah, has waited for him for 30 years. They are still as blissfully in love as they ever were.
Most of the book consists of Jalamanta's preaching to the people on the outskirts of the city. His friend Iago is desperately jealous of Jalamanta, and the love he shares with Fatimah. Iago is eventually (and not surprisingly) the one that betrays Jalamanta to the Central Authorities.
Throughout this book, Anaya makes refrences about "The Golden Carp" or "The River of the Golden Carp." While knowledge of the Golden Carp isn't necessary for understanding this book (or any part of this book), the story of the Golden Carp can be found in Bless Me, Ultima
There is really no closure at the end of this book. I would have liked to know what happened next. I suggest reading Bless Me, Ultima for a better work of art by Anaya. Jalamanta was good for provoking spiritual contemplation, but I would have liked to have read more by way of plot. I was expecting a work of fiction, not a novel full of philosophy.
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