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katielong84's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Racism
Moderate: Classism
lngoldstein's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The more I learn about this book the harder it is to review it. This novel is based (not loosely) on the actual life of Cuban artist Ana Mendieta. Gonzalez says in an interview that Mendieta’s ghost vented to her in frustration that she hadn’t been able to tell her story on her own terms and insisted Gonzalez use her voice in the story which is how we end up with a first person POV from the titular character, Anita De Monte, who is based on Mendieta, in the novel. Gonzalez also says that Anita was meant to be an homage to the artist, not a direct analogue, except that reading both Ana and Anita’s stories blurs the line between fact and fiction, as Mendieta’s niece pointed out after receiving an advance copy. Besides the similarity of their names, Anita’s art in the novel closely resembles Mendieta’s and Anita’s husband Jack’s resembles Mendieta’s husband Carl Andres’. Anita dies in the exact same way, in almost the same location as Mendieta, potentially even in the same year as the actual events took place. Raquel Mendieta has expressed concerns about how her aunt’s story is told and there have been debates about if the Ana Mendieta estate’s blessing should be secured before producing works based on Mendieta’s life story.
I get the idea of pulling inspiration but this feels too close to Mendieta’s life to have not not given written homage to the actual woman and work that inspired this novel, which is sad and ironic as the main theme of Gonzalez’s novel is the under representation, mistreatment and discreditation of Latin artists. In the novel, Anita’s family loses control over her estate so it feels icky for Gonzalez to have written about how that hurt the fictional Anita and her family but then find out she did not consult the Mendieta estate throughout the process of writing or selling this novel.
Finally, however, a quick note on the actual contents of the book. I can’t say it was great; I found every character at least mildly annoying, the plot predictable and the writing a little over-explicit in describing things that were made obvious from the characters’ personalities and actions but it still managed to be compelling. The personalities really came through (for better or worse) in the audiobook, which was engaging. I personally didn’t mind the elements of magical realism and even enjoyed certain parts especially towards the end but be warned it goes into that territory.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Murder, Violence, and Racism
little_literarian's review against another edition
inspiring
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
5.0
This book was so good, loved the dual perspective and the audiobook narration was superb!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Xenophobia, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Body shaming and Gaslighting
guardianofthebookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Misogyny, and Toxic relationship
burnedoutbookdragon's review against another edition
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
kallsypage's review against another edition
- 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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
Minor: Suicide and Outing
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