''Rollicking melodic tender and true. And oh so very wise''Robert Jones Jr. author of The
ProphetsWho gets to leave a legacy?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 progeny of film
producers C-Suite executives and international art-dealers most of whom float through life
knowing that their futures are secured Raquel feels herself an outsider. Students of colour
like Raquel 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.Praise for Xochitl Gonzalez and Olga
Dies Dreaming''Don't underestimate this new novelist. She's jump-starting the year with a smart
romantic comedy that lures us in with laughter and keeps us hooked with a fantastically
engaging story''Washington Post''The sharpest and best written social comedy in a while''Los
Angeles Times''An astounding new voice''Esquire
