— Melissa Goldberg / Senior Editor / Washington, DC
"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.
Sheet-Pan Salads Deserve a Spot in Your Weeknight Dinner Rotation
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In our humble opinion, there’s one category of sheet-pan recipes that hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves — and that’s sheet-pan salads. Aside from being delicious and satisfyingly efficient, you’re not stuck cleaning a million bowls and pans. And if you combine all the ingredients on the pan itself, you’ll never eat another sad piece of undressed lettuce. One standout option? This Sheet Pan Salmon Nicoise Salad from The Defined Dish’s Alex Snodgrass, author of three cookbooks, including “Dinner Tonight.” It’s got the same je ne sais quoi as the French classic, but requires much less fuss — making it impressive enough for company, but also easy enough for a weeknight.
The Time Commitment: Fifty minutes, as long as you prep and assemble the remaining components while the salmon, green beans, and potatoes are roasting.
Our Tip: If you don’t love salmon, keep it classic with tuna — either adding fresh steaks to the sheet pan or adding a canned variety just before serving. Not a fan of Chicken of the Sea? Swap it for actual chicken or leave it out entirely.
This Is the Most Enchanting Coastal Town in California
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If you dream of living inside a Nancy Meyers movie, you need to head to Carmel-by-the-Sea. Located on California’s Monterey Peninsula, the one-square-mile village still has old-school charm (there’s no street addresses or parking meters), along with enviable beach houses, top-notch shops and restaurants, and a growing wine scene. So while we can’t promise you’ll suddenly fall in love with a charming local, you can expect at least one perfectly roasted chicken and plenty of white wine. Just be sure to pack the white linen set you impulse purchased.
🛏 Wainscoted walls painted pistachio, upholstered floral furniture, woven rugs, gas log fireplaces — the 34 rooms at Le Petit Pali at Ocean Avenue tick all the coastal grandmother boxes. Not to mention, guests can also expect Diptyque bath products, mini-bars with gourmet snacks, and homemade cookies delivered nightly.
🌅 Outside of town, you’ll find sandy beaches, dramatic coastlines, and scenic drives — like this jaw-dropping, 17-mile stretch that weaves through Pebble Beach. (Stop at Spanish Bay and Lone Cypress for the best views.) Another great option for outdoorsy types? Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, where you can hike the popular Cypress Grove Trail.
🍴 Carmel probably isn’t what comes to mind when you think of California wine — but Carmel Valley’s numerous tasting rooms are gaining popularity. For dinner, head over to La Bicyclette, a neighborhood bistro with French-Italian fare like risotto nero, steak au poivre, and wood-fired pizzas. Or, grab a table at the Restaurant at Mission Ranch (owned by actor and former mayor Clint Eastwood), where you can listen to live music and watch sheep graze.
We asked you to vote on an etiquette question you’d like answered. The winner was:
Q: I’m in a wedding party, and the bride is insisting that everyone get their hair and makeup professionally done. I don’t want to cause drama, but it’s expensive and not something I’d normally do. Is there a way to say no?
“Outside of the bridesmaid dress, anything that the bride is requiring should really be covered by the bride … So if it’s on the bridesmaid to pay for her own hair and makeup, you should be able to say no. There’s a few different ways to do that, but it’s important to have [that] conversation as soon as possible … in person or over the phone … One way [to] say no [is] something like, ‘I’m really excited to be part of your wedding day, and I appreciate you organizing hair and makeup. But with the cost of the dress, travel, and lodging, I won’t be able to use the professional service and will be more comfortable doing my hair and makeup. Let me know if you have inspiration photos, and I can practice the look you’re going for’ … [Or you could say] ‘The service provider you listed is outside of my budget, but I’d be happy to find something that fits within my budget’ … You could even be a little more to the point and say, ‘The cost for hair and makeup you shared is out of my budget. I’m happy to do my own hair and makeup.’”
Which etiquette question should an expert answer next week?
My sister recently confided she got bad Botox, and I didn’t know what to say when she asked if I agreed. Is there a way to answer her truthfully, or is it better to just lie?
One of my close friends regularly asks me to watch her dog, for anywhere from a few hours to a few days. I was happy to help at first, but it’s become so frequent that I feel like her dog sitter — without the pay. How do I bring this up to her?
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