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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
cesca_natalia's review
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, and Murder
kelly_e's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Title: Anita de Monte Laughs Last
Author: Xóchitl González
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
I received a complimentary ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Theatrical • Electric • Haunting
📖 S Y N O P S I S
1985. Anita de Monte, a rising star in the art world, is found dead in New York City; her tragic death is the talk of the town. Until it isn’t. By 1998 Anita’s name has been all but forgotten—certainly by the time Raquel, a third-year art history student is preparing her final thesis. On College Hill, surrounded by progeny of film producers, C-Suite executives, and international art-dealers, most of whom float through life knowing that their futures are secured, Raquel feels herself an outsider. Students of color, like Raquel, are the minority there, and the pressure to work twice as hard for the same opportunities is no secret.
But when Raquel becomes romantically involved with a well-connected older art student, she finds herself unexpectedly rising up the social ranks. As she attempts to straddle both worlds, she stumbles upon Anita’s story, raising questions about the dynamics of her own relationship, which eerily mirrors that of the forgotten artist.
💭 T H O U G H T S
After being captivated by Xóchitl González's writing in her debut, Olga Dies Dreaming, I immediately added Anita de Monte Laughs Last to my list of anticipated releases for 2024. I was graciously offered an ALC, which I tandem read with the book once it was released.
The audiobook, narrated by a full cast of Jessica Pimentel, Jonathan Gregg, and Stacy Gonzalez is absolutely fantastic. I would even venture to say the narration takes this book to the next level. The narrators really bring their characters to life and I could hear the emotion of the narrative in their voices. Because the story is told from multiple perspectives and in a nonlinear fashion it was definitely easier for me to tandem read than listen alone.
The pacing starts out on the slow side, yet it builds steadily to a satisfying ending. I will admit to being slightly caught off guard by the ghost element, but somehow it fit perfectly into the narrative. There is ample commentary on race and womanhood and when the two stories start to converge the story gets stronger.
I don't know that I enjoyed this one as much as her debut, yet it was definitely worth my time. It's easy to imagine Anita de Monte Laughs Last transitioning to the big screen down the road. This book isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea, but it establishes Xóchitl González as a force in the literary world.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• art history
• strong female characters
⚠️ CW: toxic relationship, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, racism, sexism, misogyny, classism, death, murder, cursing, drug use, drug abuse, alcohol, infidelity, mental illness, eating disorder, anorexia, body shaming, fatphobia
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Everything worth doing hurts at least a little bit."
Author: Xóchitl González
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: March 5, 2024
I received a complimentary ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad
T H R E E • W O R D S
Theatrical • Electric • Haunting
📖 S Y N O P S I S
1985. Anita de Monte, a rising star in the art world, is found dead in New York City; her tragic death is the talk of the town. Until it isn’t. By 1998 Anita’s name has been all but forgotten—certainly by the time Raquel, a third-year art history student is preparing her final thesis. On College Hill, surrounded by progeny of film producers, C-Suite executives, and international art-dealers, most of whom float through life knowing that their futures are secured, Raquel feels herself an outsider. Students of color, like Raquel, are the minority there, and the pressure to work twice as hard for the same opportunities is no secret.
But when Raquel becomes romantically involved with a well-connected older art student, she finds herself unexpectedly rising up the social ranks. As she attempts to straddle both worlds, she stumbles upon Anita’s story, raising questions about the dynamics of her own relationship, which eerily mirrors that of the forgotten artist.
💭 T H O U G H T S
After being captivated by Xóchitl González's writing in her debut, Olga Dies Dreaming, I immediately added Anita de Monte Laughs Last to my list of anticipated releases for 2024. I was graciously offered an ALC, which I tandem read with the book once it was released.
The audiobook, narrated by a full cast of Jessica Pimentel, Jonathan Gregg, and Stacy Gonzalez is absolutely fantastic. I would even venture to say the narration takes this book to the next level. The narrators really bring their characters to life and I could hear the emotion of the narrative in their voices. Because the story is told from multiple perspectives and in a nonlinear fashion it was definitely easier for me to tandem read than listen alone.
The pacing starts out on the slow side, yet it builds steadily to a satisfying ending. I will admit to being slightly caught off guard by the ghost element, but somehow it fit perfectly into the narrative. There is ample commentary on race and womanhood and when the two stories start to converge the story gets stronger.
I don't know that I enjoyed this one as much as her debut, yet it was definitely worth my time. It's easy to imagine Anita de Monte Laughs Last transitioning to the big screen down the road. This book isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea, but it establishes Xóchitl González as a force in the literary world.
📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• art history
• strong female characters
⚠️ CW: toxic relationship, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, racism, sexism, misogyny, classism, death, murder, cursing, drug use, drug abuse, alcohol, infidelity, mental illness, eating disorder, anorexia, body shaming, fatphobia
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Everything worth doing hurts at least a little bit."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Classism, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Body shaming, Mental illness, Infidelity, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, and Murder
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Alcohol
anorexiaafrenette's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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: Murder, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Classism, Eating disorder, and Body shaming
marcostorin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Eating disorder, Body shaming, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic friendship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Classism
kingsteph's review
slow-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Minor: Toxic friendship
reflectiverambling_nalana's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The highlighting of forgotten voices is not a new concept to explore. It will be easy for some to dismiss this as pushing a tired narrative at best or at worse while I don't picture those of the persuasion would be interested in this book to begin with being heavy handed in some of the elements it highlights. I confess that I had a bit of a jaded opinion until I started getting into the ryhthm of the narrative and the pieces started to fall into place.
So I'd challenge these readers to consider that they author chose to set this in a specific time frame. While there has been an increasing push to acknowledge forgotten voices we only got to this place where our eyes and hearts are open to a broader concept of how we were taught and now view history by people who existed at that turning point. That's not to say that there weren't many before our current day who didn't let stories be forgotten. But I'd venture to guess that it was in a time like the late 90s that the second perspective travels in that existed at this really significant crossing between timing and attention that started the ball rolling to where we find ourselves now.
ONe aspect about this novel that I appreciate is the parallel not only how someone's work is judged, but how their personality is. We are used to seeing characters like Anita cast as angry, vengeful, spiteful ,and ugly. In this book Anita isn't restrained, that is true, but it's also painfully clear that both people in that relationship are toxic in their own ways. The difference is that female anger is far less 'acceptable'. Anita, nor the author, ever apologizes for this portrayal because why should it be demeaning for Anita but not her husband? It's wrapped up in the same bow as his career- what happens when he comes under suspicion as opposed to what would happen to her. I loved her anger because it wasn't just that--it was passion. It was her being completely honest with herself and the world.
Without wanting to give away the twist to this novel, I absolutely adored how it gave a fantastical element constraints. I loved the concept of memory as fuel, power. It adds an extra layer to the revelations that can be contained simply by acknowledging and lifting up a voice.
I also enjoyed how it brushed on not asking for erasure of things that have long been deemed as classics or masters, but just challenged the reasons why and supported the expansion of those notions.
The notion of family, found and real, was also an incredible point.
Finally, I generally consider it a good thing if reading a book from the perspective of someone who shares a different life experience from me if I'm uncomfortable. I welcome it making me consider my own ideas and ways of thinking. So I struggle with how to express this particular reaction I had. It's not because it rang my guilt bell. It was more of a second hand pain for some of the couples I have known.
I very recently finished another book that dealt with an interracial and class relationship that was disastrous. Now I'm not saying for a moment that those experiences are even outliers. The emphasis on more privileged trying to 'better' others is probably more common than ever, honestly. But it left me wondering if there was any room to portray these things as anything but. Or, on the other side of seeing these things portrayed, for them to be completely idealized with no understandings and full acceptance. It was a little disheartening to see relationships that were portrayed as possibly having serious flaws being recognized and altered to spiraling. Though, to be fair, if the misconceptions stemmed from class or race or only when these two converged is not necessarily apparent.
Given the particular narrative I understood why things went in this direction for this story and the sake of parallels. It just led me to the realization of how much appreciation I have for stories where differences are seen, mistakes are made, and addressed in ways that paint characters in less drastically villainous ways. Not necessarily for everything to be happily ever after or magically okay. People can fail to make a relationship work, fail to realize in all the ways they still need to work on themselves, without being all out destructive to the other. It wouldn't have worked in this story, but I hope we are also creating spaces for that dynamic to be shown if only in homage to people who have navigated these spaces of cross cultural relationships when it was even less prominent or portrayed as just a mater of fetishism.
a really memorable, passionate, read. Though, as an art lover, I suppose I might have also gone in with bias.
So I'd challenge these readers to consider that they author chose to set this in a specific time frame. While there has been an increasing push to acknowledge forgotten voices we only got to this place where our eyes and hearts are open to a broader concept of how we were taught and now view history by people who existed at that turning point. That's not to say that there weren't many before our current day who didn't let stories be forgotten. But I'd venture to guess that it was in a time like the late 90s that the second perspective travels in that existed at this really significant crossing between timing and attention that started the ball rolling to where we find ourselves now.
ONe aspect about this novel that I appreciate is the parallel not only how someone's work is judged, but how their personality is. We are used to seeing characters like Anita cast as angry, vengeful, spiteful ,and ugly. In this book Anita isn't restrained, that is true, but it's also painfully clear that both people in that relationship are toxic in their own ways. The difference is that female anger is far less 'acceptable'. Anita, nor the author, ever apologizes for this portrayal because why should it be demeaning for Anita but not her husband? It's wrapped up in the same bow as his career- what happens when he comes under suspicion as opposed to what would happen to her. I loved her anger because it wasn't just that--it was passion. It was her being completely honest with herself and the world.
Without wanting to give away the twist to this novel, I absolutely adored how it gave a fantastical element constraints. I loved the concept of memory as fuel, power. It adds an extra layer to the revelations that can be contained simply by acknowledging and lifting up a voice.
I also enjoyed how it brushed on not asking for erasure of things that have long been deemed as classics or masters, but just challenged the reasons why and supported the expansion of those notions.
The notion of family, found and real, was also an incredible point.
Finally, I generally consider it a good thing if reading a book from the perspective of someone who shares a different life experience from me if I'm uncomfortable. I welcome it making me consider my own ideas and ways of thinking. So I struggle with how to express this particular reaction I had. It's not because it rang my guilt bell. It was more of a second hand pain for some of the couples I have known.
I very recently finished another book that dealt with an interracial and class relationship that was disastrous. Now I'm not saying for a moment that those experiences are even outliers. The emphasis on more privileged trying to 'better' others is probably more common than ever, honestly. But it left me wondering if there was any room to portray these things as anything but. Or, on the other side of seeing these things portrayed, for them to be completely idealized with no understandings and full acceptance. It was a little disheartening to see relationships that were portrayed as possibly having serious flaws being recognized and altered to spiraling. Though, to be fair, if the misconceptions stemmed from class or race or only when these two converged is not necessarily apparent.
Given the particular narrative I understood why things went in this direction for this story and the sake of parallels. It just led me to the realization of how much appreciation I have for stories where differences are seen, mistakes are made, and addressed in ways that paint characters in less drastically villainous ways. Not necessarily for everything to be happily ever after or magically okay. People can fail to make a relationship work, fail to realize in all the ways they still need to work on themselves, without being all out destructive to the other. It wouldn't have worked in this story, but I hope we are also creating spaces for that dynamic to be shown if only in homage to people who have navigated these spaces of cross cultural relationships when it was even less prominent or portrayed as just a mater of fetishism.
a really memorable, passionate, read. Though, as an art lover, I suppose I might have also gone in with bias.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Eating disorder
blackbookishbabe89's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse and Body shaming
mishale1's review
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? No
4.5
Wow. What a story!
This book has powerful characters. It tells a truly unique story. It takes on some heavy stuff. And it keeps you entertained and turning pages the whole time.
This book takes place in two timelines with two different female main characters.
In 1985 we meet Anita. She is a gifted artist. She’s always on the brink of making it big. But she’s in a relationship with another artist. While Anita is female and from Cuba, her boyfriend/husband is a white male artist. And there are days it feels like he has an in with the art world and she’s being kept out. They have a really fiery relationship. It’s not a healthy relationship for either of them.
Anita finally reached the place where her own art work seems like it’s going to be truly in the public eye. And she decides to leave her husband but not before one last big fight.
And Anita winds up dead.
In 1998 we meet Raquel. She is in art school. She is also a young, female artist with family from Cuba. If she knew about Anita, she’d see some similarities. But she doesn’t know about Anita yet and it seems like no one knows Anita’s name anymore. Because, unfortunately, after Anita died her work all just faded away along with her.
Raquel is trying to fit in at a school that’s mostly white students. Mostly, rich, white students. She’s never been ashamed of her family or her background but she wanted different things.
When she meets a rich, young, handsome artist, he kind of sweeps her off her feet.
But you can see the hints of an abusive relationship. Sure, he wants her to feel beautiful and respected but he wants her to feel like he’s the only one who really sees and appreciates her.
I think this book handles abusive relationships in a delicate way. Sure, we see worse with Anita and her husband but with Raquel the most upsetting moment is a haircut.
This book also takes on the issues of how it is harder for women, especially women of other races and ethnic groups than Caucasian, to make their way in the art world. And also how history is often told by the victors. How could Anita just be erased from history? With money and connections.
And to read this story and be blown away by the plot only to find out that it’s based on a real person? Wow. It turns out there really was a Cuban female artist whose husband killed her and then not only got away scot-free but tried to erase her from history. And did it work? Her name was Anna Mendieta. She might not have gotten the last laugh but we get to see Anita get hers.
I really enjoyed this wild ride.
This book has powerful characters. It tells a truly unique story. It takes on some heavy stuff. And it keeps you entertained and turning pages the whole time.
This book takes place in two timelines with two different female main characters.
In 1985 we meet Anita. She is a gifted artist. She’s always on the brink of making it big. But she’s in a relationship with another artist. While Anita is female and from Cuba, her boyfriend/husband is a white male artist. And there are days it feels like he has an in with the art world and she’s being kept out. They have a really fiery relationship. It’s not a healthy relationship for either of them.
Anita finally reached the place where her own art work seems like it’s going to be truly in the public eye. And she decides to leave her husband but not before one last big fight.
And Anita winds up dead.
In 1998 we meet Raquel. She is in art school. She is also a young, female artist with family from Cuba. If she knew about Anita, she’d see some similarities. But she doesn’t know about Anita yet and it seems like no one knows Anita’s name anymore. Because, unfortunately, after Anita died her work all just faded away along with her.
Raquel is trying to fit in at a school that’s mostly white students. Mostly, rich, white students. She’s never been ashamed of her family or her background but she wanted different things.
When she meets a rich, young, handsome artist, he kind of sweeps her off her feet.
But you can see the hints of an abusive relationship. Sure, he wants her to feel beautiful and respected but he wants her to feel like he’s the only one who really sees and appreciates her.
I think this book handles abusive relationships in a delicate way. Sure, we see worse with Anita and her husband but with Raquel the most upsetting moment is a haircut.
This book also takes on the issues of how it is harder for women, especially women of other races and ethnic groups than Caucasian, to make their way in the art world. And also how history is often told by the victors. How could Anita just be erased from history? With money and connections.
And to read this story and be blown away by the plot only to find out that it’s based on a real person? Wow. It turns out there really was a Cuban female artist whose husband killed her and then not only got away scot-free but tried to erase her from history. And did it work? Her name was Anna Mendieta. She might not have gotten the last laugh but we get to see Anita get hers.
I really enjoyed this wild ride.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death, and Physical abuse
rokojo's review against another edition
3.75
This book follows two parallel stories, Anita de Monte, artist in 1985, and Raquel, art history student in 1998. It explores themes of racism in the art world and in Academia as well as abusive dynamics between white men and women of colour, specifically within historically white institutions.
I thought this book was well done. The characters felt real and I felt frustrated on their behalf for what they experienced. I think Raquel's story specifically dealt really well with how racism can be internalised and turned into shame, and how it feels to lose yourself in an exciting new relationship that then becomes controlling. I will say I didn't initially expect the cause of Anita's death which happened early on, but once I was able to adjust my expectations it was fine.
After reading the book and looking into it a bit more, I discovered the story of Ana Mendieta which gave the story a whole new level of meaning to learn it was inspired by her life.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
I thought this book was well done. The characters felt real and I felt frustrated on their behalf for what they experienced. I think Raquel's story specifically dealt really well with how racism can be internalised and turned into shame, and how it feels to lose yourself in an exciting new relationship that then becomes controlling. I will say I didn't initially expect the cause of Anita's death which happened early on, but once I was able to adjust my expectations it was fine.
After reading the book and looking into it a bit more, I discovered the story of Ana Mendieta which gave the story a whole new level of meaning to learn it was inspired by her life.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Physical abuse
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