A review by nothingforpomegranted
Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

I’ve enjoyed listening to Xochitl Gonzales’ interviews on several podcasts, and it has certainly added to my appreciation of the book. Overall, I enjoyed Racquel’s perspective the most, and I appreciated following the story from the different timelines. I thought the narration was absolutely brilliant, and the three narrators did a great job inhabiting their characters, particularly Anita de Monte, whose rage and madness permeated the entire novel. Nonetheless, I found myself getting bored at times and ready for the novel to reach its conclusion. Elements were too dragged out and repetitive for me, and the magical realism, though I appreciate the nod to Latin American literary tradition, wasn’t really for me.