Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Anita de Monte Laughs Last

This book felt like a love letter to Ana Mendieta and all Cuban Americans and all artists of color trying to make it in a still very white space. Anita del Monte Laughs Last will start conversations. I didn’t see the parallels until they discussed her work and death and I had to stop. It intrigues me in such a way that I needed to stop and remember who this person really was. I remembered the stories, the struggles, and the reality that this is still a very big part of creative industries. This book has feminism, passion, love for self, hate for self, finding one self. The audiobook version was probably best, as I felt my heart ache and eyes water, and reading would have been an impossible task. I was reminded of the struggle, ni de aqui, ni de alla, and how Rachel must have felt during her key moments of the story. Fitting in is only part of the problem, making space is the larger part.

Of course, the narrator was incredible, and I could feel the passion in the characters and writing. Rachel’s story reminded me of a few other stories, where the main character loses her identity, but has an incomplete redemption arc, because that’s what real life is like. She was a work in progress, and it felt real to see that. Anita has a sort of redemption arc, but in the sense that she gets closure. The minor characters are well developed and I enjoyed their contributions but I could have done without the twist of the art history girls. I suppose it’s to make us feel better about how miserable they really are, but it felt a bit out of place, and I felt it did not contribute to the overall narrative. A fantastic book overall, I do wish I had read this and shared it with my friends when I was younger, so that we could still make a difference. This book breaks you down and empowers you with the same breath.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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rokojo's review against another edition

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2.5

Edited to take off a star after learning the family of Ana Mendieta did not approve of this book, hence why she is not named in the text despite it being a retelling of her story.

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.

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kaitsteak's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense 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

5.0

An absolutely stunning sophomore novel. We follow Raquel, an art student at an Ivy League school, as she enters into a relationship with an older art student and explores her identity. In an earlier timeline, we also follow Anita de Monte, a Cuban artist.

The author spices the two timelines to emphasize the connections between the women. This work covers so much— from the discussion of how BIPOC artists and students are marginalized by schools/a cannon that upholds white male supremacy. It also explores toxic relationships with deftness and nuance.

What a terrific work to listen to via audio! The narrators all did a great job of delivering each POV.

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macaronoui's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious sad tense 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? N/A

5.0

narrators

Anita de Monte, the artist. Dating Jack, a famous minimalist artist in the 1980’s, born in Cuba and living in different places following Jack and his exhibits. She dies in 1985 and the story is told by her as her ghost. She is a naturalistic artist.
Raquel Toro in 1990 is an art history student from Brooklyn NYC, studying at Brown and interning at RISD for the summer. She is doing a paper on Jack Martin and dives into Jack and Anita’s life.
Jack, the minimalist artist and wife murderer.

Both women are incredibly well rounded latina women. Strong, smart, witty and passionate trying to navigate a “white” world who sees them as the “other”. Racism both in big and small way as micro aggressions run through the book and will make your blood boil.

Both timelines are very well fleshed out and I loved all the art history and artists mentions.

The book takes an interesting look at romantic relationships and what one has to give up for them.

Both characters though from different backgrounds and eras travel parts of the a similar path. They are both fascinating and have so many layers to them. They feel so vivid and like they are talking to you, one on one.

The inspiration for this book is the mysterious 1985 death of Cuban American artist Ana Mendieta and her then husband.

The book also touches on problems still pervasive in the museum industry, of choosing to ignore the problematic human behind the artist. And disproportionately heralding and displaying art made by white men.

I could go on raving about this book for hours. I highly recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC

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verojohn's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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

5.0

This is telenovela level drama at its best! Although my parents also enjoyed the story, my mom could have done without all the cursing- there is a lot.

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kallsypage's review against another edition

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Plot- or character-driven? Character
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

In 1980s New York City, Cuban American artist Anita de Monte is a rising star in the art world just as the art career of Jack, her arrogant husband, is fading from the spotlight. That is until she is found dead outside of her apartment. Although her untimely death made waves, her memory, her art, and her name were soon forgotten by most.

In 1998, Raquel is an art history student battling with the feeling that no matter how hard she works, she is still seen as an outsider in the pretentious art world that is still largely uninclusive. As she works on her final thesis, Raquel begins to notice parallels between her own life and relationship with Anita's life and relationship.

The story is told by Anita, Raquel, and Jack in two different timelines. Xóchitl González does such a fantastic job of giving each of these characters their own unique voices through her writing style and the audiobook has fantastic narrators that bring the characters even more to life.

There were so many times I wanted to scream while reading (listening) this book and jump in the pages to shake some of the characters. If I had a physical copy of the book I probably would have thrown it a time or two (and please know I mean this as a high compliment!). I went through so many emotions while reading this book and it will be sticking with me for a long time!

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