Many thanks to my friends at @flatiron_books and @macmillan.audio for the free #gifted copy of this book.  

 

Bold.  Fierce.  An unapologetic story of revenge worthy of applause.   

 

1985: Up and coming Cuban artist, Anita, falls from the window of her high-rise NYC apartment under suspicious circumstances.

 

1998:  Preparing for her thesis, art history student, Raquel, stumbles upon Anita’s art and the story of her untimely death. 

 

Though decades separate these characters, both must fight to hold space and make their voices heard, amplifying the lack of progress made within the white male dominated space.  

 

Sharply written and full of wit, this is a storyline that grabbed my attention from the onset.  Certain paranormal elements enhanced the darkness within the dark academia backdrop and heightened the overall experience.

 

The characters, vividly depicted and deeply complex, felt fully alive, as though they could come through the pages of the book.  

 

But Anita was my favorite part of this read.  She was bold and fiery. A FORCE.  And I couldn’t have cheered louder when she got her last laugh.  

 

Gonzalez artfully tackles tough topics with ingenuity and humor- lots of humor.  The intensity of female rage is masterfully exhibited, and the examination of spaces marred by racial bias is impeccably exposed.  

 

As always, the author’s note is worth the read, especially in highlighting her own experiences within academia.

 

➡️Worth noting: Anita appears to be based on the true story of Ana Mendieta. Though Mendieta’s family recognizes the uncanny connection between Ana and Anita, the family expressed frustration that the author did not contact the estate before writing and selling the novel.  

 

🎧 Admittedly, it took me a bit to settle into the exuberant audiobook production. But once I did, I greatly appreciated the fieriness with which it was performed.  Emotion oozed through these dynamic performances and amplified the storyline and messaging.