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Anita de Monte Laughs Last: Reese's Book Club Pick (A Novel)

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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 Best Book of 2024: Kirkus, TIME, NPR, Goodreads, Electric Lit 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. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Flatiron Books (March 5, 2024)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250786215


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 10


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.15 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.55 x 1.15 x 9.6 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #63,163 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #107 in Hispanic American Literature & Fiction #1,126 in Coming of Age Fiction (Books)


#107 in Hispanic American Literature & Fiction:


#1,126 in Coming of Age Fiction (Books):


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • Delicious and magical
This book has all of what makes art enjoyable…surprise, mystery, balance, emotion, juxtaposition, tension. The characters and their journeys were super compelling. Even though there was enough foreshadowing that the reader would know what was coming next, it was still so enjoyable to ride along with the story and see how it played out in graphic detail. There was a point around the 2/3-3/4 mark that could have been edited down a bit…I wanted Raquel to make her big moves more quickly. But overall I read it in a day and couldn’t put it down. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2025 by Laura Toerner
    • Well written, funny and insightful!
The book, loosely crafted around the life and mysterious death of cuban artist Ana Mandietta, follows the perspectives of two women: Anita de Monte, a talented artist on the rise who marries Jack Martin, a highly acclaimed figure in the art world known for his minimalist work. Despite facing skepticism from her husband and others in the art community, Anita is willful, unapologetic, and a force of nature. Much of her art is influenced by her childhood and her connection to her homeland. On the other hand, there’s Raquel Toro, a young woman from Brooklyn in her final year at Brown University, embarking on a summer internship at the RISD museum. As an art history student in this prestigious institution, she grapples with her identity amidst a predominantly white crowd. Raquel falls for a rich white senior, further struggling to fit into a mold of his liking, dictated by western ideas of beauty and culture. The prose in this book is a delight to read. Gonzalez’s words carry a smart and shrewd humor that intrigues the reader. Despite my lack of familiarity with the art world, I found myself engrossed in the narrative, unable to anticipate what turn it would take. The author’s passion for art history and her personal experiences as a student at Brown are skillfully interwoven with Raquel’s perspective, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. What pleasantly surprised me was Gonzalez’s decision to continue Anita’s POV beyond her death, cleverly portraying her raw anger and seething frustration at the injustice she was being subjected to. This book is ambitious and tries to tackle a lot of crucial topics at once. Its primary focus, however, lies in shedding light on the pervasive influence of white dominance within the art world, much like in many other industries. The book explores the idea that racism operates in an almost domino fashion. Particularly within the art industry, the work of white male artists often receives significant acclaim, despite the presence of numerous equally talented artists from diverse backgrounds who struggle to attain similar recognition. Years later, white men, now occupying the roles of academic professors and museum curators, continue to dominate the discourse surrounding these artists, perpetuating obstacles for people of color. The books also addresses the complex dynamics of dysfunctional relationships. How men seek dominance over their partners and women, even as they are aware of the toxicity, keep going back for the feeling of belongingness and of being needed, inadvertently bolstering the male ego. In exploring the relationships between the two women and their respective partners, the author highlights the abuse that sometimes arises from men’s insecurities and their tendency to be drawn to women they perceive as inferior. Despite its ambitious scope, the book falls short in its execution. While it presents two strong points of view, it struggles to effectively intertwine them. The narrative veers off course in the middle, overly focusing on the relationship dynamics of the main characters, which detracts from a more satisfying convergence of Raquel and Anita’s stories. Another aspect I didn’t enjoy were the excessive supernatural elements in the book. While the author adeptly captures the emotions of a dead artist, some aspects felt unnecessary—particularly, Anita taking the form of a bat. Gonzalez emphasizes the significance of young women finding and asserting their voices, despite the adversities they are presented with. As a brown woman navigating life on a work visa and striving to carve out her space in this country, this book deeply resonated with me. For that, and for introducing me to an industry I knew next to nothing about, I’m rounding my initial rating of 3.5 to a 4. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2024 by Illakiya
    • 80s, 90s, art, academia, magic and maybe murder?
She’s done it again. Whether you’re already a fan of Gonzalez’s work (Olga Dies Dreaming, her commentary pieces for The Atlantic, etc) or you’re new here, this book will ensure you’re a fan for life. Anita de Monte is a young, beautiful Cuban American artists living in 1980s NYC and her career is set to take off—just as that of her modern art titan husband’s seems to be cooling. When she dies an untimely death (not a spoiler, I promise!), the book takes a haunting, beautiful, supernatural-ish turn. Anita’s story intertwines with that Raquel, a first-generation Nuyorican student at an elite New England college in the 1990s. The two stories begin to intersect as Raquel starts work on her art history senior thesis. Gonzalez perfectly captures her native New York and the art world of the 80s, as we well as campus life and the racial and class divisions that shaped it during that time. While the book tackles serious topics, the story never feels heavy (in fact, there are even a number of very funny parts)—the balance is perfect, the world-building is spot on and the characters are unforgettable. And you will never look at bats the same way again! ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 7, 2024 by Yelena G.
    • Another book about a witch? Seriously?
Came for the 90's nostalgia, academia, women's historical relevance in art, higher awareness of Hispanic culture and history, intrigue, murder...stayed only because of Raquel's side of the story. Otherwise, I would have left due to Anita's witchcraft. How am I supposed to take serious and appreciate and cheer on the main character, Anita, when she engages in witchcraft? In my mind, this is cheating as far as her artwork success goes. In my soul, it is repulsive to dabble with witchcraft. Could have been a much much better story if the main character was more likable in personality and actually had an inspiring story around her artwork, which is supposed to be the well that is drawn from in this book. At least, that is why I picked it up. I have to say, I am disappointed in Reese's book club pick this month. Really? I tolerated the gothic horror, Starling House, in the fall, with it's spooky Halloween vibes. This, though, is too much. The picks need to be balanced out better. Otherwise, it will start feeling like a very dark book club. I do like the style of writing and I think we have a talented writer here, just minus the witchcraft. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2024 by Blue Shoes
    • fun and relevant
Suggested as a “summer read” and I went for it because Brown and RISD were my stomping grounds years ago. Surprised by important themes, brown women as cool trophies, white male bias in academia and art. Highlights the challenges of coming into a more privileged environment. Enjoyed it, especially the last laugh. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 11, 2024 by StephanieMcA
    • fast reading and entertaining
I love this book. I loved it's diversity and humor. It's fast reading and a great read
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2024 by Jenlozoe
    • CAPTIVATING
Beautiful, chaotic, tortured, & powerful are all words that come to mind when I think of this book. If you’re a woman with passion who’s ever allowed people to make you feel powerless, this one’s for you. I feel so rejuvenated and empowered after reading this. I feel like I can conquer anything. This book is gonna stick with me, I can feel it ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2025 by TameMyMane
    • recommend
I enjoyed this book and had good characters, some twists and turns, some whimsy and made me think about some issues in art that I hadn’t thought of before.
Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2024 by L. S. Dunlap

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