Reviews

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez

durablepigments's review against another edition

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

s_marrie's review against another edition

funny 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

4.0

emilyrhigh's review against another edition

inspiring

5.0

tcu3's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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? No

3.5

Not as good as the other one but still a good read. I would’ve preferred less self discovery and more what comes next 

atk92's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring 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

4.75

ms_reads_a_lot's review against another edition

None of the characters were likeable, storyline was confusing. I liked the premise, but felt  it could have been done differently. 

sharppointysticks's review against another edition

4.0

I intended to give this a 4 star rating because I enjoyed it quite a bit.  However, I was not aware that the story is based on real people (Cuban American artist Ana Mendieta and her husband Carl Andre), nor was I aware that this book caused her family distress.  I am not sure how I feel now that I know that.  The second storyline is also said to be semi autobiographical.  I am still giving it 4 stars because as I got closer and closer to the end I couldn't put it down for wanting to know how the storylines were going to connect.  

mo32607's review against another edition

4.0

If I would have stopped halfway through it would have been a 2.5, but the whole book got better as soon as Anita became a petty ghost haunting her murdering husband. I liked the flashback Anita/Jack story much better than Raquel / Nick. Raquel only got into a groove in the last 20%. Before that she was predictable and weak character. 

skoppelkam's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-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? No

Leaving this one without a rating because - 

Xóchitl González is absolutely on fire, with this being even an even better read than "Olga Dies Dreaming", which I loved. Unlike "Olga" which lost steam a bit for me in the end, "Anita" actually built momentum, with brilliant, kinetic pacing at the end 

But - I unfortunately learned about the very real person this book is based upon, Ana Mendieta, after reading. While I would like to think González did a beautiful job of representing Mendieta's legacy and the way she affected González herself as a student, it seems that Ana Medieta's family is very upset about the stories that are surfacing based on Ana's life (this book and an upcoming America Ferrara film) and were not consulted about either. That's really a huge bummer, and leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

hedyd's review against another edition

dark 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? It's complicated

3.0

The writing is decent, the story a total rip off with no acknowledgement- that bugs me.