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

dark emotional funny 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? Yes

4.0

I really liked the two main characters that Xochitl Gonzalez created for this book and the way she weaves their disparate but similar stories together. It's pretty great that we start with Anita on her final night and then we swap to Raquel's perspective and see her unwittingly following in Anita's footsteps, for better and worse. Gonzalez does an excellent job of exploring the nuances and complexities of the Ivy League art world through the experience of someone who isn't white and wealthy, and she does it without seeming empty or pandering; we see Raquel's struggles to find herself in the work of the artists chosen for the curriculum and by major museums as well as the social dynamics she has to navigate the people of this community. The cast of supporting characters are all well developed and likable (or unlikable in a good and/or necessary way), and the story itself has a nice pace that moves along while also giving room to reflect and engage with the commentary Gonzalez is making. I felt a lot while reading this book in that I was laughing a lot, rolling my eyes at the insanity of the wealthy idiots Raquel was interacting with, huffing with frustration at the bullshit she had to put up with. Gonzalez makes it all feel very real, even as she takes it in a direction that's more magical realist. Overall, I really enjoyed this one.