Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González offers a vibrant exploration of resilience and artistic expression, with engaging prose and rich character depth. Critics commend its cultural authenticity and emotional nuance. However, some find the pacing uneven and the plot occasionally predictable. Overall, it's a compelling read with minor flaws.

A reader who enjoys satire, social commentary, and cultural identity exploration, akin to The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz or The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros, would find Anita de Monte's journey in Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González compelling.

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González is a part-campus novel and homage to artist Ana Mendieta. It revolves around Anita de Monte, an artist facing eurocentrism and toxic masculinity in the 1980s art world, and Raquel Toro, a Latinx art history student in 1998, who is writing her thesis on Anita’s husband, Jack Martin. Themes of racism, misogyny, and anti-Latinx prejudices are explored, paralleling González’s own life experiences. The novel contains murder, domestic violence, abuse, misogyny, racism, and eating disorders.

Humorous / Emotional / Heartwarming / Fantastical

**Anita de Monte**  
A vibrant Cuban artist who breaks into New York City's art scene in the 1980s and navigates her personal and cultural identity through her work. She is married to American sculptor Jack Martin and faces challenges marked by anti-Latinx discrimination.  

**Raquel Toro**  
A Latinx art student at Brown who explores race, ethnicity, and gender politics as she navigates her new environment. She becomes interested in artist Anita de Monte and finds empowerment through her community and academic work.  

**Jack Martin**  
An American sculptor and Anita's husband, known for his controlling nature and fragile ego. He is a prominent figure in the art world and struggles with Anita's successes overshadowing his own career.  

**Nick Fitzsimmons**  
Raquel’s affluent boyfriend who is an art student with early success facilitated by family connections. He struggles with inherited class attitudes and becomes increasingly controlling in his relationship with Raquel.  

**John Temple**  
Raquel’s professor and advisor, a supporter of Jack Martin, who believes that an artist’s identity does not influence their work. He is rumored to have inappropriate relationships with students and prefers the work of white, male artists.

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Part 2: “Parties”

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