Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
Audiobook narrated by Jessica Pimentel, Jonathan Gregg, and Stacy Gonzalez
12 hours and 45 minutes

I was very excited to listened to this audiobook because I loved her debut, "Olga Dies Dreaming." It exposed me to multi-cultural conflict and gentrification in New York City, and I felt I learned a lot about Puerto Rican culture. If you haven't read her debut, I would recommend it highly - it didn't receive the attention it deserved in my opinion, so I am mentioning it here.

This book is about inequity in fine arts, about how the art world has been dominated by male artists and female artists have not received recognition historically. I am an artist myself, so this is not a news to me, and I am glad that the author exposed this issue and delivers important messages. It's good to hear that Reece's Book Club picked this up as well, and hopefully more people talk about this, so lesser known artists can get attention. The novel is written from three viewpoints - Anita De Monte, a Cuban artist active in NYC in 1980s, John, her husband who is also an artist, and Raquel, who is an art history student with Puerto Rican origin learning about American art history. The book bounces back and forth between different view points and time frame, which is at times confusing, but the author does a good job to simplify the storylines so that it's not too complicated. I felt the story dragged a little and could be edited down. The ending felt too convenient for me but essentially impactful. Being an artist, I tend to be more critical on books written about artists. Also, I listened to the audiobook - and the narrator who portrayed Anita's character was over-the-top for me, almost making fun of latina typecast. The way she keeps mentioning "Anita De Monte" reminded me how the narrator of "Glory" in NoViolet Bulawayo keeps on saying "Jidada." (a good audiobook by the way). I think it's done to emphasize the point, but too much is never enough. I might have liked this book better if it's an physical book which would also have helped with following the time frame.

Lastly, it wasn't mentioned on the audiobook, but this story is highly likely a tribute to Ana Mendieta, who is a Cuban artist (as well as Iowa and NYC) in 1980s. She died under suspicious circumstances. Her sculptor husband, Carl Andre, was charged but later acquitted. Incidentally Mr. Andre passed away in January of this year. I hope an acknowledgment would be made for the publication of this book.
There is another important question this book asks - can you love artworks when you know it was made by morally-gray artists? The art world is full of them, or maybe the world in general. I feel we are all monsters at times.

An advanced copy of this audiobook was provided courtesy of NetGalley and MacMillan Audio. My opinions hereby are my own. Thank you!

Anita De Monte Laughs Last is a historical fiction novel set in different timelines, each focusing on different characters. The first is set in the 1980s, and the focus is on the artist Anita De Monte, a Cuban immigrant living in New York. Here we follow her relationship with white artist Jack Martin, and her navigating the art world being a Latina in a predominantly white industry. The second is set in the 1990s, and the focus here is on thrid year art history student Raquel who decides to write her thesis on Jack Martin.

I listened to the audiobook that three people narrated, each reading the parts of the three primary characters. I think the narrator for Anita did a great job of voicing Anita's passion for her art and her will to live. Her voice was strong and clear, mirroring Anita's character. It didn't take long for me to feel connected to this character because the narration was so captivating.
I dont have strong feeling towards the narrator for Jacks character, I think it was fine: nothing stuck out to me. I was not too fond of the character, and that was the author's intention, meaning they did an excellent job at getting me to understand that he is not a good person and should not be rooted for. He didn't get many chapters in the novel, which I appreciate, and the chapters that were his were interesting to me even if I didn't like him. I like that we get both perspectives of the marriage because it builds layers and complexity to the story. I will mention here that there are themes of domestic violence in this book. Some short scenes in the first half portray it on the page, but it is nothing too graphic.
Finally, the narration of Raquel's character was also well done. Like Anita, Raquel is incredibly passionate about art, and the narrator did a good job showing that to me. Sometimes, I wasn't fond of this narrator, but it was more me problem than the narrator.
Raquel's character interested me because I saw much of myself in her. Also, being Latina, I could understand her in many ways, which led me to connect with her. Sometimes, she bothered me, but in the end, I realized it was all a part of her journey, and those mistakes made sense for her character by the end of the book.
I think Gonzalez's intertwining of these two stories was truly well done. I enjoyed seeing the parallels in both stories, the characters' growth, and the mistakes they learned from. The ending was satisfying and neatly concluded. I can't wait to read another book by Gonzalez because they have an evident gift for storytelling.

Thank you Netgally and Macmillan Audio for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advance copy. This audio was FANTASTIC. Loved the narrators and I don’t know if I would have felt the same level of passion and fury if I had been reading it on my own. Totally recommend that.
The character of Anita is based on the real life artist Ana Mendieta. Their stories and their art work are very similar. I hope there will include an author’s note discussing Ana. Look her up, read her Wikipedia page, go down the rabbit hole.
This story was thought provoking. It was also a bit infuriating. The men in it were giant narcissistic egotistical babies. For every demeaning thing they did and said to the women around them, I got more and more angry.
The setting was all about art, art history, academia. With dual time lines, you’re immersed in this world. Highly recommend if these are your interests. And also if they’re not.

I really wanted to like this book based on the blurb. It seemed right up my alley especially with the strong feminist vibes, but I just couldn’t get into it. I do think that the feminism message was important along with the story of racism and misogyny. I listened to this one, rather than read a print version, so this review is based on that, but I found the book to be rather jarring switching back and forth between the points of view. I also found one of the narrators to be a bit much for me and not to my liking, I just didn’t enjoy her voice portrayal so couldn’t get immersed into the character. I found the voice to be so distracting and overly dramatic that I couldn’t stay focused during this point of view, and I couldn’t wait for these chapters to be over. Unfortunately, it was Anita’s character, which was a large portion of the book.

For me this was a case of the narrator not working for me, but I would go back an dread the print version at a later time.

Thank you to Macmillian Audio and Netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: March 5, 2024

Wow… just wow.
Xochitl’s story telling captivated me from page 1. I was so invested in this book that explores feminism in a misogynistic world of art.
You follow Anita and artist circa 1980’s and Raquel an art student in 1998 who find themselves in very similar situations of oppression. Their intertwining stories are told to us in dual timelines and pov’s which is my personal favorite. The story takes a fantasy twist that I did not see coming but very much enjoyed. What I loved most is the way the story is told in a very poetic way when it comes to Anita’s portion of the book, I was mesmerized by Jessica Pimentel’s (best known for her role in orange is the new black) narration. I truly recommend the audio for this one💕
This novel comes out on 3/5/25 and it’s definitely one to read/listen asap!
Thank you so much @macmillanaudio, @netgally and @xochitlgonzalez for this advance readers audio!

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

🤍literary fiction
🤍feminist
🤍dual timeline/dual pov
🤍historical fiction
🤍fantasy elements
🤍art academia
🤍horror elements
🤍classism/racism/sexism/misogynistic dynamics and politics

I loved this book. I was in a bit of a rut, and I picked up this audio and was not disappointed. The two main characters are wonderfully brought to life by the narrators. They are a Cuban artist in the 80s (based on Ana Mendieta), and an art history student in the 90s/00s. It was compelling, interesting the characters are really full of life and interesting. The story is compelling. I finished it in a few sittings. I have already recommended it to friends.

Anita de Monte Laughs Last
By Xóchitl González

A book with a bit of mystery, darkness, a lot art culture, and a dash of magical realism in this art world.

It’s 1985 and up and coming artist, Anita de Monte is found dead in NYC. Told in dual timelines we jump to,1998, were are introduced to, Raquel, who is attending college and majoring in art history. Raquel is a minority and doesn’t quite fit in with the other girls at her Ivy League school. She discovers Anita de Monte’s life as she’s researching for her final thesis. Raquel is trying to make her way through this art world when she gets a white boyfriend who lives a privileged life. Eventually Raquel sees how her life seems similar to what became the ultimate demise of Anita. We learn of Anita, her accomplishments as an artist, her husband, Jack, holding her back from reaching her full potential and what leads up to her death with living in an oppressed and unsupportive relationship. Anita is a lively character and misunderstood. She’s seen as crazy person by others.

Narration… you feel the anger, frustration, and desperation when it was on Anita’s chapters. You can feel all the emotions running through Anita. I think this says a lot about this audiobook, to be able to feel this rawness and anger. It felt almost lyrical at times.

This audiobook is engaging and with themes of class, racism, Latinx identity, and survival. It’s very well done! Loved it!


Thank you @netgalley and @harperaudio for the ALC.

Anita De Monte Laughs Last is a thought-provoking read that tackles the issues of gender, race, and privilege head on. The interesting concept did get bogged down by problems with pacing. The first 2/3rds of the book felt overly wordy and bogged down in detail. The narrative comes together in a compelling way in the last third of the book but the author then decides to flash past everything that happens in a way that felt unsatisfying. Aside from that I loved the well-frawn characters and exploration of the themes and will confidently recommend this book to readers who enjoy a book that chews over social issues while still telling an interesting story.

Another stunner by Xochitl Gonzalez!

This dual timeline and dual POV has a lot going on and only a fantastic author can pull this off!

Raquel and Anita’s stories mirror each other throughout the book and every day of chapter cements the narrative in its place. Both Latina women are navigating a world filled with fragile male egos and learning some harsh lessons.

I listened to the audiobooks and it was a bit hard to tell what time each Anita chapter was in but the context clues helped sort it out.

Definitely check this book out!

I really loved this story. It captured me from the very first chapter. I'm a sucker for multiple POV and the dual timelines kept me intrigued. I listened to this on audio and the different voice actors were phenomenal. This story about 2 Latin women who are trying to make a name for themselves, without assimilating to the white, male-dominated art world, one in the 80s and one in the late 90s. I was so enthralled in the story telling, the exposition into the art world or the 80s and 90s, particularly as it relates to those with success, class, and prestige (ahem: white), and the attempts at erasure of culture. I was most drawn toward the depiction of toxic and co-dependent relationships and coming to terms with that disillusionment. Gonzalez does such an amazing job writing about toxic relationships and love it was impossible to not feel trapped right along with the characters. I would have liked more discussion on the influence of art on one of characters, Raquel, and how it shaped her as an artist and as a young Latina, instead of it feeling more like an afterthought. This book is a raw and blazing look at self-discovery, toxicity, assimilation, and holding on to life beyond your living, breathing body. 4.5 out of 5 stars. Thank you to Macmillian Audio, Xochitl Gonzalez and NetGalley for the ARC of this title.

This book has an important feminist message but I didn't necessarily enjoy the journey. I commend the narrators for their immersive, emotional performances, but it was jarring and difficult to listen to at times. I enjoyed a peek into the art world and was on board early on, but overall I felt the book moved too slow and was repetitive. Both storylines had parallel themes, which is a good idea in theory but again felt repetitive and overdone. I would recommend those interested in this one read the physical copy instead of the audiobook.

In Anita de Monte Laughs Last, we follow two Latina women in the art world – Anita is a passionate and talented artist whose career is cut short by her tragic death in 1985 just as her famous artist husband’s career is starting to decline, and fifteen years later, Raquel is a first generation college student studying art history at Brown. At the start of the book, Anita’s presence within the art world has been erased to such an extent that Raquel is unaware of Anita’s work. However, as Raquel tries to carve out space for herself in art history academia and begins to study the work of Anita’s husband and fellow artist, Raquel learns of Anita’s story and starts to questions just whose voice deserves to be amplified. Through alternating timelines, Xochitl Gonzalez depicts the racism, sexism and classism rife in the exclusive world of art.

I loved Xochitl Gonzalez’s leading ladies – Raquel was incredibly sympathetic as a college student juggling two worlds, and I adored Anita’s rage and artistic passion. Usually when I read novels with dual narratives, I find myself wishing I could spend more time with one character; but here, I was equally caught up in each woman’s story.

I will note that this is not a thriller in that the plot is fairly predictable. Even so, I found this campus novel meets art world novel to be a smart, thought-provoking and extremely compelling. I was even more moved when I discovered that Anita’s story is a fictional retelling of the life of Cuban American artist Ana Mendieta.

I also would like to shout out the full audiobook cast who gave an incredible performance. I can’t remember the last time I enjoyed an audiobook so much. Particular props to the actress who voiced Anita! Highly recommend you experience this on audiobook!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Book Review: Anita De Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

"Who gets to leave a legacy?

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.

Moving back and forth through time and told from the perspectives of both women, Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a propulsive, witty examination of power, love, and art, daring to ask who gets to be remembered and who is left behind in the rarefied world of the elite."

My god, the absolute rage-rollercoaster I was on with this book. I completely fell in love with both Anita and Raquel and found their character arcs so interesting (no small feat since a good chunk of Anita's happens post-mortem) and their self-doubt and self-erasure in their romantic relationships and professional lives was extremely relatable. God damn the Jacks, and the Nicks and the Tillys and all of the other politely horrific characters Gonzalez manages to fit in one book.

I found the story a bit hard to follow immediately after Anita's death but overall, the magic realism really worked for me - the gallery scene and the physical manifestation of Anita's rage was deeply satisfying and I loved the narration of her chapters so much for the theatrical quality of her absolute glee in driving Jack 'batty' 😉

Would HIGHLY recommend this absolute fire-cracker of a story to everyone but especially if you loved The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Eartheater. Read the CWs/TWs for racism, ED and domestic violence. #vivaanita

Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio for the advance copy of this spectacular book.

Art in photo by Chung Kwan Young

#anitademontelaughslast
#xochitlgonzalez
#womensrage
#booksaboutart
#booksaboutrage
#fiction #magicalrealism #bookreviews #bookreview

Xochitl Gonzalez has such a talent for creating characters who feel so REAL. That was my favorite thing about Olga Dies Dreaming and it’s my favorite thing about Anita de Monte Laughs Last. This book is about a talented Cuban artist who was forgotten by the world after her tragic death and the art history student who uncovers her story.

The absolute RAGE that thrummed through me while reading this book—righteous rage, as Anita de Monte emerges from the box she was locked away in. I enjoyed the speculative elements and loved the connection formed between Anita and Raquel even though they never truly meet in the flesh. I’ve never really cared that much about art history but I found myself CARING so passionately about Anita and her work. It all felt so real that I kept wanting to look her up and see the work for myself. I highly recommend this book, especially for the stunning writing and amazing characters.

🎨Anita De Monte Laughs Last🖼️
4/5 stars - Audiobook ARC
Release date: Today!

This is a book that I just knew I would love. Xochitl Gonzalez’s first novel “Olga dies dreaming” which was a favorite book of 2022. This book is told in two timelines. The first following the artist, Anita de Monte in the 1980s and the second following, Raquel, a student at Brown in the late 90s. Anita and Raquel are both Latinx women who struggle through the art world in their own way. Following Anita’s suspicious death, she and her art are forgot about until Raquel learns about her story.

This book is a mash up of genres with major themes of gender, race, art, and legacy. The different timelines are perfect way to show the struggles that both the FMCs face.
There are three POVs in this book and the narrators of the audiobook were excellent. I am really happy I listened to the audiobook as the narrators really helped make the story for me.

Anita, a rising Cuban American artist in 1980s New York City, faces a sudden and mysterious death at the peak of her career. Her story fades from the spotlight, leaving behind unanswered questions.

Raquel, a third-year art history student in 1998, navigates the pressures of being a minority at an elite university. As she delves deeper into the art world, she stumbles upon the forgotten legacy of Anita de Monte.

As Raquel uncovers Anita's story, she discovers striking similarities in their experiences, despite being separated by time. Both women, driven by artistic aspirations and a fervent desire to leave their mark through art, face significant challenges in the competitive art world due to their backgrounds. Additionally, their personal relationships become mirrors of the power dynamics prevalent within the art world itself.

I loved the characters. Both Raquel and Anita are strong, bold women. The story, told through alternating perspectives and spanning across different decades, delves into the experiences of women, particularly women of color, navigating a society that often overlooks their talents and contributions. It explores themes of ambition, identity, legacy, and the fight for recognition in a world where privilege casts a long shadow.

I read Olga Dies Dreaming two years ago and really liked it, but I loved this one even more!

The audiobook is wonderfully narrated by Jessica Pimentel, Jonathan Gregg, and Stacy Gonzalez. Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the gifted audio copy.

This is a review of the audiobook for Anita de Monte Laughs Last. Overall this was a well written entertaining book but I have to say that the actors who did the audio brought a whole other level to the enjoyment of this book. Each character had a distinguished voice along with accent and age appropriatness that really brought the pages to life. The supernatural aspect of the ghost was also believable due to the talented writing of Xochitl Gonzalez. I think I actually like this novel better than her first!

This is my first book by this author, but I do own “Olga Dies Dreaming”, which has now been bumped up on my tbr.

I read this book over the course of a few days, and will say it started off slow for me. However, when I say “slow” I don’t mean it in a bad way. More in, it took a little time to figure out the direction the book was moving in, and to become fully invested. Once I did though I was hooked!

I find the author’s writing to be both exquisite and very well-written. I loved how the 2 stories of Anita and Raquel paralleled one another. They are both Latina female artists trying to be seen in a “man’s world”, - to make a name for themselves without the help of their partners.

I listened to this on audio and I must say that the narrators did a fantastic job!

Jessica Pimentel in particular did such a fascinating job with Anita. She really captured and delivered the character, which is described as only 5ft tall and small, but with a larger than life attitude.

I enjoyed the blending of historical fiction, art history, and pop culture (that I’m familiar with and grew up with).

What I loved most about this book, aside from the writing, is finding myself comparing the lives of Anita and Raquel. Seeing some similarities but also recognizing the differences. The multiple POVs were done well even Jacks.

Xóchitl is a great storyteller, and this book is one I’d describe as a comfort read. A story filled with passion, despair, revenge from beyond the grave, and courage, you won’t be disappointed when reading this.

I just finished listening to the audiobook and it was SO good. It tells the story in two timelines of Anita De Monte a Cuban/American artist in the 1980's and Raquel studying art history in 1998. It's based on Ana Mendieta a real artist who died in 1985. There's speculation and controversy that her husband threw her out the window. It was such a good book and the audiobook was fantastic. It has some magical realism. I laughed and cried during the narration. A Must read.

Oof. I really loved this authors last book so I was excited for this. I was really into about 20% of this book. The rest of the time I was pretty bored and waiting for the point. I really didn’t care about what was happening until the 60% mark. I wouldn’t have kept reading that far in the first place if someone hadn’t told me to power through because it was worth it. It wasn’t bad but like, not great either. Can’t say I would recommend the audio over print either. Same thing, it wasn’t bad but not amazing.