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starrfishandcoffee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Yes, yes, yes!!!! I absolutely devoured and LOVED this powerful, rage-filled, sometimes snarky, feminist tale. Set in the ~art world~, told in multiple POVs over dual timelines (1980s/1990s), this novel explores so many universal themes: class, privilege, racism, power dynamics, gender roles, sexism, toxic masculinity, toxic relationships, the weaponization of culture… to name just a few.
Gonzalez flawlessly swings back and forth from artist Anita and her chaotic marriage to the abusive Jack to Raquel falling under the spell of fellow student Nick and entering an ever so subtly suffocating relationship with him (read: toxic, racist, controlling, rich, white fxxkboy). The nuances of what abuse and privilege look like are crafted so perfectly, it reads and feels like a story that we’ve all heard so many iterations of so many times, too many times, or perhaps unfortunately are personally familiar with.
Anita is at times unhinged and vengeful (which I love), but she is fundamentally what so many of us women are: seeking to be seen, heard, and appreciated in our own right.
This book made me laugh, made my blood pressure rise, made me punch the air in triumph. READ IT!!!!!!!
Gonzalez flawlessly swings back and forth from artist Anita and her chaotic marriage to the abusive Jack to Raquel falling under the spell of fellow student Nick and entering an ever so subtly suffocating relationship with him (read: toxic, racist, controlling, rich, white fxxkboy). The nuances of what abuse and privilege look like are crafted so perfectly, it reads and feels like a story that we’ve all heard so many iterations of so many times, too many times, or perhaps unfortunately are personally familiar with.
Anita is at times unhinged and vengeful (which I love), but she is fundamentally what so many of us women are: seeking to be seen, heard, and appreciated in our own right.
This book made me laugh, made my blood pressure rise, made me punch the air in triumph. READ IT!!!!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexism and Racism
bibliomich's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
Following two parallel stories set a decade apart, Anita de Monte Laughs Last dives deep into the themes of art, ego, racism, classism, feminism, and love. And Xochitl Gonzalez does this with such brilliant wit that the book had me literally laughing out loud one second, and then dropping my mouth in astonishment in the next.
What I loved:
- The audiobook narration. If you can listen to this one, I highly recommend it. The book rotates between three different narrators, all of whom bring so much life and passion to the characters' voices.
- The characters: Anita de Monte is the queen of revenge, and I loved every second of it. Beyond the title character, though, Gonzalez has created a full cast of characters whom you love to love and/or love to hate.
- The way the author depicts the art world: I'll admit--I know nothing about the art world, art history, or art genres, but it didn't matter at all. Gonzalez swept me up into this world, and even though I was coming in with no prior knowledge, I felt like I understood it all. The elitism, the b.s., the racism--all of it was so well illustrated that I could see these scenes playing out in my mind as if I were standing there in those very galleries.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my advanced listener copy!
What I loved:
- The audiobook narration. If you can listen to this one, I highly recommend it. The book rotates between three different narrators, all of whom bring so much life and passion to the characters' voices.
- The characters: Anita de Monte is the queen of revenge, and I loved every second of it. Beyond the title character, though, Gonzalez has created a full cast of characters whom you love to love and/or love to hate.
- The way the author depicts the art world: I'll admit--I know nothing about the art world, art history, or art genres, but it didn't matter at all. Gonzalez swept me up into this world, and even though I was coming in with no prior knowledge, I felt like I understood it all. The elitism, the b.s., the racism--all of it was so well illustrated that I could see these scenes playing out in my mind as if I were standing there in those very galleries.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my advanced listener copy!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism, Death, Eating disorder, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Murder, and Racism
mishale1's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.5
Wow. What a story!
This book has powerful characters. It tells a truly unique story. It takes on some heavy stuff. And it keeps you entertained and turning pages the whole time.
This book takes place in two timelines with two different female main characters.
In 1985 we meet Anita. She is a gifted artist. She’s always on the brink of making it big. But she’s in a relationship with another artist. While Anita is female and from Cuba, her boyfriend/husband is a white male artist. And there are days it feels like he has an in with the art world and she’s being kept out. They have a really fiery relationship. It’s not a healthy relationship for either of them.
Anita finally reached the place where her own art work seems like it’s going to be truly in the public eye. And she decides to leave her husband but not before one last big fight.
And Anita winds up dead.
In 1998 we meet Raquel. She is in art school. She is also a young, female artist with family from Cuba. If she knew about Anita, she’d see some similarities. But she doesn’t know about Anita yet and it seems like no one knows Anita’s name anymore. Because, unfortunately, after Anita died her work all just faded away along with her.
Raquel is trying to fit in at a school that’s mostly white students. Mostly, rich, white students. She’s never been ashamed of her family or her background but she wanted different things.
When she meets a rich, young, handsome artist, he kind of sweeps her off her feet.
But you can see the hints of an abusive relationship. Sure, he wants her to feel beautiful and respected but he wants her to feel like he’s the only one who really sees and appreciates her.
I think this book handles abusive relationships in a delicate way. Sure, we see worse with Anita and her husband but with Raquel the most upsetting moment is a haircut.
This book also takes on the issues of how it is harder for women, especially women of other races and ethnic groups than Caucasian, to make their way in the art world. And also how history is often told by the victors. How could Anita just be erased from history? With money and connections.
And to read this story and be blown away by the plot only to find out that it’s based on a real person? Wow. It turns out there really was a Cuban female artist whose husband killed her and then not only got away scot-free but tried to erase her from history. And did it work? Her name was Anna Mendieta. She might not have gotten the last laugh but we get to see Anita get hers.
I really enjoyed this wild ride.
This book has powerful characters. It tells a truly unique story. It takes on some heavy stuff. And it keeps you entertained and turning pages the whole time.
This book takes place in two timelines with two different female main characters.
In 1985 we meet Anita. She is a gifted artist. She’s always on the brink of making it big. But she’s in a relationship with another artist. While Anita is female and from Cuba, her boyfriend/husband is a white male artist. And there are days it feels like he has an in with the art world and she’s being kept out. They have a really fiery relationship. It’s not a healthy relationship for either of them.
Anita finally reached the place where her own art work seems like it’s going to be truly in the public eye. And she decides to leave her husband but not before one last big fight.
And Anita winds up dead.
In 1998 we meet Raquel. She is in art school. She is also a young, female artist with family from Cuba. If she knew about Anita, she’d see some similarities. But she doesn’t know about Anita yet and it seems like no one knows Anita’s name anymore. Because, unfortunately, after Anita died her work all just faded away along with her.
Raquel is trying to fit in at a school that’s mostly white students. Mostly, rich, white students. She’s never been ashamed of her family or her background but she wanted different things.
When she meets a rich, young, handsome artist, he kind of sweeps her off her feet.
But you can see the hints of an abusive relationship. Sure, he wants her to feel beautiful and respected but he wants her to feel like he’s the only one who really sees and appreciates her.
I think this book handles abusive relationships in a delicate way. Sure, we see worse with Anita and her husband but with Raquel the most upsetting moment is a haircut.
This book also takes on the issues of how it is harder for women, especially women of other races and ethnic groups than Caucasian, to make their way in the art world. And also how history is often told by the victors. How could Anita just be erased from history? With money and connections.
And to read this story and be blown away by the plot only to find out that it’s based on a real person? Wow. It turns out there really was a Cuban female artist whose husband killed her and then not only got away scot-free but tried to erase her from history. And did it work? Her name was Anna Mendieta. She might not have gotten the last laugh but we get to see Anita get hers.
I really enjoyed this wild ride.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Death, and Physical abuse
burnedoutbookdragon's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
WHEWW CHILE! I am still thinking about this book days later, unable to fully describe how I feel about it, but here goes...
Method:: audiobook
Rating: 5+ ⭐
Narration: 5⭐
Diversity: YES
If you want a book that makes you FEEL, this book is for you. This book is frustratingly REAL, provocative, and having you go through all the emotions! Reading this book is like watching a car accident (before, during, and after), wanting to look/walk away because it's devastating but you can't because you just have to know what happens.
I think almost every woman has dated a man like Jack/Nick, which is sad. A man who's attracted to powerful, passionate women, but their insecurities take over. This book has dual timelines from the '80s, following Anita de Monte and Jack. Also in the late '90s, Raquel, an art history student at a prestigious university, who's life starts to mirror that of Anita's. There are three points of view, switching between Anita, Jack, and Raquel. Whoever voiced Anita's character NEEDS AN AWARD. She had me oscillate between love, hate, and empathy for Anita. The writing is superb. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. The narration was beautiful.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an uncorrected proof audiobook, in exchange for an honest review
Method:: audiobook
Rating: 5+ ⭐
Narration: 5⭐
Diversity: YES
If you want a book that makes you FEEL, this book is for you. This book is frustratingly REAL, provocative, and having you go through all the emotions! Reading this book is like watching a car accident (before, during, and after), wanting to look/walk away because it's devastating but you can't because you just have to know what happens.
I think almost every woman has dated a man like Jack/Nick, which is sad. A man who's attracted to powerful, passionate women, but their insecurities take over. This book has dual timelines from the '80s, following Anita de Monte and Jack. Also in the late '90s, Raquel, an art history student at a prestigious university, who's life starts to mirror that of Anita's. There are three points of view, switching between Anita, Jack, and Raquel. Whoever voiced Anita's character NEEDS AN AWARD. She had me oscillate between love, hate, and empathy for Anita. The writing is superb. I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. The narration was beautiful.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing an uncorrected proof audiobook, in exchange for an honest review
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Death, and Classism
macaronoui's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racism, and Death
kimberpoi's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This was simply incredible from start to finish. This novel surrounds two parallel timelines with similar couplings and a crime in the timeline of the past. This novel includes mystery, intrigue, art, family dynamics and so on, The multiple layers that the author was able to create and move the story along was masterful. I enjoyed her prior novel but this was just so much more than I expected! I found myself mentally yelling at the characters, questioning if events on paper actually occurred until the very end. I highly recommend this novel. 5 plus stars!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Racism, Eating disorder, and Death
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