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.

Set against the backdrop of the 1980s art world, this story revolves around Anita, a Cuban artist whose murder is overshadowed by her white husband Jack's rising fame in the art industry. However, things take an intriguing turn when a college student Raquel stumbles upon Anita's forgotten artwork in the 1990s, breathing new life into her story. This story is set in multiple POVS, Anita, Raquel, and Jack and does follow dual timelines.

I listened to this book on audiobook and the adaptation enhances the storytelling, particularly Jessica Pimentel's (from OITNB) portrayal of Anita, which adds depth and authenticity to the character. Representation matters and the use of multiple Latina narrators is very commendable and adds to the overall immersive experience.

The strength and power of the female characters are undeniable. From the enigmatic Anita to the determined Raquel, each woman leaves a lasting impression with their resilience, passion, and unwavering pursuit of truth and justice. Their voices resonate throughout the narrative, challenging societal norms and reclaiming their identities in a male-dominated world. With their complex and multifaceted personalities, these female characters serve as beacons of inspiration, driving the story forward with their unwavering strength and determination. Their portrayal adds depth and authenticity to the narrative, elevating "Anita de Monte Laughs Last" into a powerful exploration of feminism, art, race, love and the enduring legacy of those who refuse to be silenced.

This is my first book by Xochitl Gonzalez and it definitely won't be my last! Wow, this audiobook was so good!! The 3 narrators were some of the best I have listened to. Especially the narrator for Anita de Monte! I thought the multiple POV and timelines were done very well. I loved the writing throughout the book and the way the author explained the art. For someone who does not know much about the art world, that part of the story was easy to follow and understand. It was eye opening to learn about how some artists are elevated over others and how marginalized people are quite often left out of the conversation. I found myself laughing, cheering, and getting angry with the characters. I can't wait to recommend this book to our library patrons!!

What I liked:

- Anita de Monte: An absolute badass. I loved listening to her POV
- The Art: Honestly, everything about the art in this book. I loved it all.
- Raquel: Raquel really finding herself and her worth was so great.
- Discourse on who gets remembered: I loved that this was woven throughout the entire book.
- Audio Narration: this was so well done. Anita’s narrator was my favorite of the cast.

What didn’t work for me:

- Absolutely nothing

Anita de Monte Laughs Last, by Xochitl Gonzalez, is a richly imaginative novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. I read the audiobook version, and the narrators were fantastic!!! The voice of Anita was completely over the top, but the character of Anita was completely over the top so she was perfect. Jack is a pompous, egomaniacal jerk, and his voice is perfect. And Raquel is a college student trying to figure out why history has erased Anita while elevating Jack (while finishing herself in a similarly unequal relationship), and her voice is perfect too. Seriously, the casting was spot on!!! Highly recommend this audiobook!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
Anita de Monte is a rising star in the art world until she is found dead in New York City in 1985. Her tragic death, and the role her famous artist husband may have played in it, is the talk of the town. Until it and her work are buried and long forgotten. By 1998 Anita isn't even a footnote in her husband's story, just ask Raquel, a third-year art history student preparing her final thesis. Surrounded by privileged white students whose futures are already paved out for them, Raquel feels like an outsider.

But when she starts dating a well-connected older art student, she finds herself rising the social ranks and basking in his adoration. But as she stumbles across Anita's story while prepping her thesis, she starts to question the dynamics of her own relationship with her boyfriend and her mentor. Who decides what art is good, what art is worth teaching and preserving, and how much we learn about the personal lives of these artists?

I really enjoyed this story. The first 3 to 4 chapters had me hooked. I admit, I much preferred the chapters about Anita and Anita's point of view to the more modern-day storyline. But I find I am often more attracted to the characters that I cannot identify with as well because I find them more interesting to learn about so this is a me problem. This story is a split timeline and multi-POV. We move back and forth from Anita's life to her death and her spiritual journey thereafter, to Raquel's journey of self-discovery and discovery of Anita in college. It's witty, clever, infuriating, and asks significant questions about how the wealthy in society dictate who is worth remembering and how we remember wealthy giants. I would absolutely recommend it to friends and will be looking for more from this author.