Anita de Monte Laughs Last: Reese's Book Club Pick (A Novel)
REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK - New York Times bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez delivers a mesmerizing novel about a first-generation Ivy League student who uncovers the genius work of a female artist decades after her suspicious death
A Most Anticipated Book of 2024: TIME, The Washington Post, Refinery 29, Barnes & Noble, Marie Clare, Real Simple, Entertainment Weekly, LA Daily News, LitHub, The Millions, TODAY.com, HipLatina, Book Riot, Kirkus, and more!"Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a cry for justice. Writing with urgency and rage, Gonzalez speaks up for those who have been othered and deemed unworthy, robbed of their legacy." ―The Washington Post
"Anita De Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez asks some big questions, like who in art or history is remembered, who is left behind or erased and WHY. I have goosebumps just talking about this story." ―Reese Witherspoon 1985. Anita de Monte, a rising star in the art world, is found dead in New York City; her tragic death is the talk of the town. Until it isn't. By 1998 Anita's name has been all but forgotten--certainly by the time Raquel, a third-year art history student is preparing her final thesis. On College Hill, surrounded by privileged students whose futures are already paved out for them, Raquel feels like an outsider. Students of color, like her, are the minority there, and the pressure to work twice as hard for the same opportunities is no secret. But when Raquel becomes romantically involved with a well-connected older art student, she finds herself unexpectedly rising up the social ranks. As she attempts to straddle both worlds, she stumbles upon Anita's story, raising questions about the dynamics of her own relationship, which eerily mirrors that of the forgotten artist. Moving back and forth through time and told from the perspectives of both women, Anita de Monte Laughs Last is a propulsive, witty examination of power, love, and art, daring to ask who gets to be remembered and who is left behind in the rarefied world of the elite.
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Community Reviews
I did rate it 4 âï¸ but I just saw this book is base in a true story and the autor doesnât mention Ana Mendieta in any part of the book and how the family had to relieve her death again. (Thereâs a New York Times Article talking about her live and how we can make Ana Mendieta legacy alive)
It was a slow start but I enjoyed the last quarter of the book. It has elements of the surreal within the narrative of a relatively normal story. While it’s not a book I plan to revisit, I am inspired to find a Latin art exhibition.
In this second book from Xochitel Gonzalez we get more of the same through most of it; sprinkled with some refreshing choices everywhere else. All of it comes together to increase exposure to the expansive range of Hispanic & Latin culture and perspectives.
Gonzalez makes some bold choices that result in a story about the past haunting us in so many ways. Her characters are in some ways a retread from her previous book. Their circumstances differing in ways but the same class, identity, and race struggles persist. Her characters are the brushstrokes that fill in this complex American landscape.
The best feature of this novel is in how Gonzalez sets two stories moving in circular motion around each other. Demonstrating two sides of the same coin and history repeating itself. It’s a powerful work with a lot to say. Though it starts out slow, it finds its pace in the end. Definitely worth the read.
The novel offers a poignant and resonant narrative that blends fiction with the intriguing backdrop of real-life artist Ana Mendieta. This revelation adds depth and emotional resonance to the novel, making it a compelling read. As a Latina navigating predominantly white spaces, I found the characters relatable and their journeys empowering.
Also, magical realism serves as a literary device that enhances the depth of the storytelling. It allows Gonzalez to explore complex themes and emotions through surreal events and supernatural occurrences.
The audio although irritating to listen to sometimes because of the very fast paced excited narrator, was still fantastic. Loved the feminist perspective and the art world hypocrisy.
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