Anita de Monte Laughs Last

A Novel

De: Xochitl Gonzalez

Narrado por: 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

Long-listed, Library Journal Best Books of the Year, 2024

Long-listed, CPL: Chicago Public Library Best of the Best, 2024

Long-listed, NPR Best Book 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

Reseñas de la Crítica

"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

well written, interesting story, great performance

This audiobook was really well done. The performances were great and got me hooked quickly. The story was wonderful, engaging, and unique.

Must read for first generation brown chicks that leave home bound for college!

Fun characters, heartbreaking and heartwarming, all at the same time. Some of the scenes were so real, it was cringy and surreal. I loved how this story recounts what happens to young women when they fall in love, leave the nest for the first time and venture to explore something that lights them up.

The voiceover of Anita can be a bit intense at times but stick it through.

Incredible Narration

The emotion of the narrators really sold this story for me, absolutely loved it. I don’t believe I would have been able to immerse myself in the story if I had read the physical book.

Couldn’t stop listening

Awesome book. It has everything… art, strong female characters and a “fight the patriarchy” energy.

I loved everything about this and couldn’t stop

Thank you for sharing such an honest parallel of two women finding their true selves. It’s written and performed in such a beautiful manner that I found myself reflecting on my own story of ego and light. It reminded me that I can just continue to integrate my teachings and keep working towards a brighter vision.

I don’t like being yelled at

This book was so good. The story was captivating and interesting and intriguing but the performance for Anita felt like an assault. Maybe this is a statement about the whitewashing of Latina personality but I found myself physically wincing on several dozen occasions. Most people listen to audio books while commuting or on headphones or while decompressing and the amount of yelling and screeching ruining my ability to absorb the story

Women in Modern Art, Parallel Lives, Sweet Revenge

Nicely connected plot following two young women in the modern art world set off by a very dramatic reading made for a great listen. The reading and coarse language was a bit much at first but I came to appreciate it and wouldn’t want it any other way because of the intensity it conveys.

A brilliant rendition of issues of today!

I am amazed that the author Xóchitl Gonzalez could weave together the major issues/conflicts of our times: Identify politics, women’s place in the world of education, art, music, old money, politics and culture, magic and spirituality. I loved the characters, the stories, the dialogues, the conflicts and insights! A great read towards understanding through emotional intelligent characters lives and experiences.

I loved how she mapped this out

This book comes at you full force and continues throughout. Quite a story of the way women are taking our stories and places back. Wonderful story Xóchitl Gonzàlez. Thank you for putting what so many women do into words and showing us more.

The story was phenomenal

It took a little to get there but wow once the storylines were established I was HOOKED! My only criticism was the reader of “Raquel” irritated me but I loved the story so much I pushed through.