Reviews

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez

giulia_and_books's review against another edition

It was a bit too unhinged for me. The bat really got me then I just couldn't take it seriously. 1/5 stars

tpozzz's review against another edition

emotional sad tense 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

3.5

briannasbooknook's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

lena_mercedez's review

slow-paced

3.25

I want preface this by saying If you do choose to read this novel I recommend learning about the life, art and death of Ana Mendieta first. 

This is def a book for the Lit-fic girlies. I’m not sure the multiple pov’s worked for me in this one. I enjoyed each of the FMC’s in this novel but didn’t like how they came together in the end. At about 75% I was losing interest in the story. This was my 1st novel by Gonzalez; it was very well written and I will definitely read more of her work. There is a bit of controversy surrounding this book because the main character Anita is heavily influenced by the Cuban artist Ana Mendieta who’s family was concerned and not informed ahead of time about the novel. I struggled with Gonzalez choice to portray Anita as witchy vengeful ghost feeding into the crazy Latina narrative especially when that was the narrative used by Ana’s husband during his murder trial. It made me very uncomfortable and why I am rating this 3 stars.

jennie_cole's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

gillianre's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

mindyb33's review against another edition

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.0

saltvater's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

colleo19's review against another edition

challenging emotional tense 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

Wow, this book gave me a lot to think about and I have so many feelings. I have a hard time giving a rating and am frustrated reading through other reviews about this story being taken from Ana Mendieta seemingly without her family’s consent. I would love to hear a response from Xochitl Gonzales on the topic. 

vkraus's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0