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spookymartinireads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Art history meets magical realism meets scorned women getting their revenge meets white fragility meets first gen experiences. Slow burn but towards the end of the second half of the book I could not stop thinking about Anita and Raquel, the protagonists, so worth finishing imo
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Racism
spinstah's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
It took me a little while to get into this but once I did I found it really engaging. I liked the parallel structure of Anita and Raquel’s lives and thought the way the trial was handled in the narrative was perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Domestic abuse
whatkelsreads's review
Anita de Montes Laughs Last is an insightful, thought-provoking story of the art world and higher education. It explores how the Western male ideals of what is “Art” erase voices other than the white man. Women and POC are relegated to the other, and studied only in comparison to the white male standard.
However, it is extremely problematic that Gonzalez erases the real life of Ana Mendieta. Anita de Montes is clearly based on Ana Mendieta, but she is only mentioned by her first name and only in the dedication of the book. The irony of obscuring the real artist in a story about erasing female and POC voices is stark. I wish Gonzalez had chosen to write a similar story with actual fictional characters rather than borrowing from someone’s life without honoring her.
Extreme trigger warnings for intimate partner violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
sylvimblack's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
sarahrose_a's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I wish there had been a lot less/none from the POV of the chauvinist abuser…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Domestic abuse
ebroeffle's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was difficult emotionally at times, but overall I still really enjoyed it and it is a powerful novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Racism, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Classism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Eating disorder and Homophobia
openbookheartmind's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Eating disorder
luhreen's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Domestic abuse, and Sexism
kharcourt's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While I loved the overarching story of two Latina artists interweaving across generations, I struggled to get through this book due to the heavy domestic abuse, especially the chapters from the abuser’s perspective. I would have preferred to hear from solely from Anita and Raquel, and to have their stories start to interweave earlier on in the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, Domestic abuse, Sexism, and Gaslighting
fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Feels like a necessary book, though I have mixed feelings about Anita’s voice as a second life. I thought it was funny and relevant, but I think I didn’t really love the use of it as a plot device. Also, my revenge lust wasn’t quenched enough. I would’ve preferred to see Jack dealt with greater consequences.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Torture, Domestic abuse, Sexual harassment, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Racism, Cultural appropriation, Murder, Sexism, Classism, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia