Reviews

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez

ashleypawlowski's review against another edition

dark 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

4.25

hallenoelle's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring 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

3.75

This book was a brilliant piece on the complexity of art, minority voices in the education system, friendship, and class. I was absolutely amazed when I learned this was based on the true story of Ana Mendieta’s murder and art. Xochitl Gomez is such a smart writer and her ability to convey death and life was clear and touching. However, I did not love the third person/ multi-prospective element of this book. It felt unnecessary and the swap to first person was a relief because it was what the story wanted to be the whole time. I also felt like there were some unfinished stories that I would’ve loved to read more about (rooting for Claire and Margot)!! Overall, gorgeous story with a super important message. Would recommend to anyone interested in art, justice, feminism of the 80s/90s, and Latin America!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Racism

do_good_books's review against another edition

Started audiobook & just couldn’t get into the narration.

essentiallynovel's review against another edition

4.0

“

jen5678's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? No

4.75

halloitsalex's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

rasmith02's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

vic_dip's review against another edition

4.0

This book will remind you of the importance of women in history and in shaping history. The book follows two strong Latina main characters filled with passion, and faced with horrible and abusive men. This book will make you feel empowered

ajohnson1126's review against another edition

emotional funny 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? Yes

4.75

sophronisba's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I didn't love this quite as much as Olga Dies Dreaming -- there's a supernatural element that I struggled with, although I did come around, and the parallels between the two alternating narratives are a bit too on-the-nose at times -- but I found myself really invested in the plot by the end and I was sorry to turn the last page.