2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xóchitl González.

Pages: 352 pages

Length: 1 month (June)

Participants: Lorraine, Valerie

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Hi Lorraine, when do you want to read this one? I’m flexible so just let me know.

I wanted to start as early as June 1st since, again, too many books! 🤣 but I can do it earlier if you wish.

I just finished a book. So let’s start it in the next couple of days. Family are visiting tomorrow so let’s say Tuesday?

Works for me!

I've read the first 2 chapters. For now, we have met the two main characters, Anita and Raquel. I think it will take a few more chapters for me to get a better idea on the story. What I know for now (view spoiler)[ is that I get upset at women who lacks confidence. I do not understand why they do not just say something at least to show they don’t care, even though it might not be true! In my young days we would say: Fake it until you believe it! (hide spoiler)]

At the same place. Not sure what I think so far, seems like a lot of background information without really moving the story on, but early days. Definitely more interested in Anita than Raquel at the moment.

Same for me.

End of part one (35%). Still rather too “wordy” (I’d like more ‘show me don’t tell me’) but definitely picking up pace now and the ending for this part was really quite gripping.
Anita (view spoiler)[ her childhood traumas do make her staying in an abusive relationship more understandable- she’s certainly a very complex and volatile woman. I’m hoping she’s still in the novel speaking from beyond the grave!<\spoiler>
Raquel (view spoiler)[ there are ominous signs from Nick that make me think he’s not quite what she thinks he is. She seems to be losing herself and her purpose. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

End of part 2. I’m really enjoying Anita’s storyline. Can’t say I care much about Raquel at the moment but (view spoiler)[ she really does need to understand the price she is paying for being with Nick. (hide spoiler)]

I wanted to catch up so I did some reading last night and this morning. It's a good thing, as I finally got interested in part of the story. Like you, I enjoy Anita story line but I am also curious of Jack. It is interesting to see how the author depicts him. Even though he is the bad guy, she tries to make us see the good and bad in him. Wondering if the two timelines will join at one point…(view spoiler)[ I agree with you about Raquel and Nick. This relationship is not going in the right direction. Unfortunately, Raquel doesn’t seem to have a lot of insights into her own behavior and beliefs about herself. She is upset at her friend for not defending her, but we see her doing the same…I’ve seen many women like that in my private practice. They talked and talked about their husband, boyfriend behavior and lack of respect but would not look at their own belief. Difficult to change something in your life if you are waiting for the other to change instead of you… (hide spoiler)] I'll probably have to catch up again on Sunday as this weekend is quite busy.

Yes it’s a concept we humans struggle with - the only person you can change is yourself (and hope that maybe others react)!
Enjoy your weekend!

I had time for part 3. But I suspect part 4 will be on Sunday. Well...not sure what to say about part 3...(view spoiler)[ You know I am not one against ghosts. In fact I love them...but a bat...not sure...I really need to read more novel about the ghosts in Latino culture. They are quite different than for the Americans for exemple. But seriously, not sure why she goes there and how she will manage for Anita to find peace. As for Raquel...she is getting deeper and deeper into problems. I have to say I do not understand about the 'body not being able to leave'. I understand psychological dependency but not this 'body' thing...
Valerie, I think I am getting old! :-) (hide spoiler)]

Also finished part 3 and it jumped around too much for me. I agree about the bat being over the top (reminded me of those attacking birds at the end of Weyward) but I loved her ghostly redesigns of his work - a much better form of revenge. Hopefully the final incident will move Raquel on in body and soul. I should finish this tomorrow.

Finished.
(view spoiler)[ I found this a frustrating read because I think there is a much better novel inside where the focus is Anita de Monte (inspired by the real Cuban artist Ana Mendieta) and Raquel on the sidelines as the facilitator of her rediscovery. I was left wanting to know much more about Anita’s experiences in Cuba and with Santería, and wanting to know a lot less about Raquel’s life. The parts about her seemed very YA to me so I guess I’m getting old too! (hide spoiler)]

Valerie wrote: "Finished.
[spoilers removed]"

I agree with your comments and your rating of this book. Even though the end was better than part 3 and did reconcile me with the story, I also felt something was missing or that, like so many writers now, the story has too many lines for its own good. (view spoiler)[ For example, did we need to know about Raquel love life to enjoy the story? I think not. Like you say, she could have concentrated on the life Anita and have Raquel bring this artist in the public eye again. I also felt that it was easy for the characters to blame men for many of the problems in arts (I know I am exaggerating 😊) but hey, Peggy Guggenheim was a woman really invested in modern art and she did bring a lot of artists under the public eyes. In fact, what I want to say is, yes maybe the men are telling us only one part of the story but if you chose to use that in your story, please put meat on the bone and explain why that is. (hide spoiler)]