Ramona

The Heart and Conscience of Early California

By: Helent Hunt Jackson

Narrated by: Boots Martin

Termed the Uncle Tom's Cabin of the southwestern Indians and the first protest novel of California, Ramona is the story of 3 cultures - Indian, Mexican, and Anglo - locked in combat. The upheaval and injustice are humanized through the romance of a beautiful half-Indian orphan who grow up as the ward of Señora Moreno in privileged surroundings, then falls in love with an Indian and joins him in a life of poverty and tragedy. The Ramona Pageant in Hemet, California, based on this romance, has played each year since 1923, reenacting the transition period between Mexican traditions and the new U.S. and state governments.©1995 by The Audio Partners Publishing Corp. (P)1995 by The Audio Partners Publishing Corp.

Critic reviews

"The impact of [Jackson's] work makes it clear that a single person...can change the lives of millions. The defiant spirit that produced Ramona is the answer to complacency, to defeat, to injustice." (Michael Dorris, from the introduction to the Signet Classics edition of Ramona)

Suitable for teenagers

Although not well written, Ramona holds a place in the long story of the abuse of Native Americans. Those in California were a particularly peacefully sort. What has become of the area is a travesty of a civilization.

Wonderful Historical Fiction!

It was a story I did not want to put down. The story of the Missions, the Native Americans and the Mexicans of early California has never been written better than this. I have seen the play Ramona twice over the past 15 years at the Ramona Bowl in Southern California. It was not until I listened to this entire book that the story came to life for me. I will be seeing the play once again next weekend and look forward to seeing it through new eyes!!

Great book!

I could hardly take a break from listening. Strong characters, great character development and involvement with each other. Loved, loved, loved this book.

not unabridged

I was going back and forth between this audiobook and reading myself, and was confused when I read things I didn't remember hearing, so I finally put it on as I read and realized this audio version is definitely abridged, contrary to what it says. very disappointing.

Manifest Destiny Reaches California

This 19th Century melodrama suggests perspectives of US American expansion west that defy Anglo mythologies.

The most important novel about the California of the nineteenth century

This story has enthralled me for ages!! I was first exposed to Ramona when the telenovela of the same name ran in my early teens. Realizing the heart-pounding drama was based on a book, I went on extensive search to find a hard copy of the novel, and when I finally got my hands on it I was not disappointed!

I now live in San Diego, California and wish that more folks here knew of the story. It was a wildly popular book in its time, causing a long-lasting tourist boom to the region. There were sites set up as tourist destinations where people could imagine Ramona, Alessandro, and Felipe had walked. Some of these can be visited even today. I love visiting the nearby rural town (now small city) Ramona, named after this book.

I beyond recommend this book—I whole-heartedly wish more people were exposed this important work of historical fiction.

ramona

I had to read it for my history class it was a great story I ever read.

Different from the physical book

I usually read a book with an audio book playing to easily follow along. I noticed that the audio is very different from my book. Only the first two sentences matched the audio.
I thought maybe I have an older version, but skimming through the text I do not recognize anything that I heard in the audio.
I also tried to go to a different chapter on the audio, but it is not correct. When clicking on chapter 2 it will actually start playing in the middle of a random sentence.
To be fair the narrator did a fine job, but the actual story and editing of the chapters are disappointing.

Not The Full Book

This is not the full version of the book. If you are reading for pleasure, carry on. If you need to read the book for school, read the book. Do not think that this is the same.
For the first time, I am truly disappointed with Audible.

Boring

Not enough substance for characters. The main character, Ramona, should have been developed a lot more.