Anita de Monte Laughs Last

A Novel

By: Xochitl Gonzalez

Narrated by: Jessica Pimentel, Jonathan Gregg, Stacy Gonzalez

Long-listed, Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, Time Magazine Best Books of the Year, 2024

This program is read by a full cast of Stacy Gonzalez, Jonathan Gregg, and Jessica Pimentel, best known for her role on Orange Is the New Black.

"The book is clever and original, but what’s more, Jessica Pimentel, a star of Orange Is the New Black, reads Anita as if she’s in a fever dream. There’s a vibrant wickedness to her performance that no doubt will make this one of the best listens of the year."—Vulture

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.

A Macmillan Audio production from Flatiron Books.

©2024 Xochitl Gonzalez (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Gonzalez crafts excoriating and whip-smart commentary on the art world’s Eurocentric conceptions of beauty and the racism faced by first-generation students of color. This is incandescent."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Funny, piercing, and full of moxie, Anita de Monte Laughs Last is unsparing in its assessment of what goes on behind the castle walls, the price people pay to be accepted into those hallowed halls, and what it takes to liberate oneself from the dangers that lurk within. Really, what Xochitl Gonzalez has written is an affirmation for anyone who's ever had to 'work twice as hard to get half as much.' Anita de Monte Laughs Last is rollicking, melodic, tender, and true. And oh so very wise."—Robert Jones, Jr., author of The Prophets, a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction

"Bravo! A remarkable story about reclaiming what has been erased. Reader, enjoy!”—Ana Castillo, author of So Far From God

the voice of Anita

the story was great, however the voice of Anita is constantly yelling and overly dramatic, which was stressful and irritating. Not a relaxing listen.

Left me wanting more!

I hate it that this book had to end! I really enjoyed the story the performances I want it more!

Anita narrator!

It was a full cast narration. What made this book was the narrator for Anita! She was so awesome! Her passion with words was felt. The story itself was a little boring but her character was so dang good!

Unique and powerful

Unique and powerful, beautiful work that I’ve come to expect from Xochitl, waking up emotions hidden deep within but easily brought to light by this wonderful storytelling

Get your ear plugs ready.

It was hard to concentrate on the story because the narrators interpretation of Anita was full on tight- throated- screeching. Extremely unpleasant to listen to. Completely destroyed the book for me. I feel bad for the author. She was done a disservice.

Excellent storyline

Loved Anita and Raquel. The story was easy to follow. If you’re looking for the definition of toxic relationships, look no further.

the story and narration were perfect

I couldn't stop listening to this story. it was full of life and kept me eager to hear more throughout

Brilliant

So much realism whithin this imaginative story. The energy that exuberates through each character and well thought out stories leaves an impact. I will need to introduce these stories to a book club as there is so much to discuss. Anita's voice is one that reminds you not to settle for less and never allow others to put you in a box.

Loved the book, but

5 stars for a thrilling, insightful novel that makes important points about racism and artistry. But Anita’s actor’s dialogue is better suited to scripted audiodrama or stage acting than audiobook narration as a performative genre. I’m a huge audiodrama enthusiast but it was jarring in this medium. Yes, the voice actor captured the spirit of a brilliant artist who won’t be silenced. ¡Ándale! But I couldn’t stand her parts. Found myself speed-playing or skipping. The yelling was especially excruciating on ear buds. The novel was too good to abandon, the actors accurately portrayed their characters, and I’m glad I made it to the end. Just keep your finger on the volume button if you don’t like being screamed at.

Needed a good editor. Predictable

This book is fine. The novel raises some excellent issues around intimate partner violence, racism, privilege, class, abuse, and what is art and who gets to make it. It is poorly written and needed a good editor. The writer uses so many words to state the obvious. She literally has to tell us how the character feels rather than demonstrating. The characters feel like paper thin facsimiles of people and it feels frustrating as the reader because I have an idea of what the author means but the writing just doesn't flow for me in a way that expanded my mind. Some of the plot feels very derivative and cliche of other books including, most recently, Bunny by Mona Awad. The book raises so many great issues and would be a great book club book.