"Anita de Monte Laughs Last" by Xochitl Gonzalez

theSkimm

"Olga Dies Dreaming" fans, assemble — Xochitl Gonzalez’s second novel is here. Initially set in 1998, it follows first-generation college student Raquel Toro as she embarks on her art history thesis at Brown. That’s when she discovers the story of Anita de Monte, a Cuban artist who died a mysterious death in 1985. The novel takes place along dual timelines, bringing us into Anita’s complicated relationship with her much older, white male lover (who may or may not have killed her) and Raquel’s parallel experiences with the wealthy white men around her. Both women’s stories raise powerful questions about race, privilege, and who belongs in elite worlds. We asked Gonzalez, who also authored the viral article “The Fake Poor Bride,” a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: “Anita de Monte Laughs Last” revolves around two protagonists: Anita, who was inspired by the late artist Ana Mendieta, and Raquel, who, like you, grew up in Brooklyn and studied art history at Brown. Who was more challenging to write?

Gonzalez: I think Raquel was the hardest to write. First, because it is remarkably difficult to take away years of knowledge and experience you have accrued and return to your world view when everything was new. But also, in doing that, you have to leave her much more vulnerable. Every hurt is a fresh bruise. She has less defenses and is uncalloused but still in a calloused world. So emotionally, too, she was difficult. This was also in contrast to Anita — who has been literally burned by the fury of life, right? But she has the room to rage. And rage can be fun.

Q: Who’s one artist more people should know about and why?

Gonzalez: There’s this wonderful photographer, Tigre Escobar, whose work I fell in love with while in Cuba researching this book. They are actually based between New York and Mexico City but were being shown at Ona Galleria and I had to take one of the photographs home. They document queer life and identity in Latin America and there’s this just energy about them that is both unapologetic, but also tender.

Q: Reese Witherspoon recently selected “Anita de Monte Laughs Last” as her March book club pick. If you had your own book club, what book would you pick first?

Gonzalez: “Malas” by Marcela Fuentes. It’s set in 1990s Texas and somehow mixes the myth of La Llorona with the story of a girl mourning her grandmother’s recent death, all set to a punk-rock and Selena soundtrack. It has secrets and cover-ups and political intrigue and teen angst — and it’s a brilliant ride.