The following edition of the text was used in the creation of this study guide: Gonzalex, Xochitl. Anita De Monte Laughs Last. Bloomsbury, 2024. Kindle AZW file.

The novel begins in 1985 New York City, where artist Anita, married to renowned artist Jack Martin, asserted her independence at a party hosted by art dealer Tilly Barber. Anita's resolve was tested as she confronted Jack's infidelity and took a stand, culminating in a mysterious fall from a window later that night.

The narrative shifts to Providence in 1998, focusing on Raquel, a Latina art history student at Brown University. Raquel navigated academia, friendship, and identity, including clashes with her advisor and the elitist attitudes of her peers. A chance encounter at an art exhibition introduced her to a new connection, Nick.

Returning to 1980, Anita revisited her past struggles as she grappled with her role in Jack's shadow. Anita confronted expectations of her as Jack's wife and muse, facing pressure to conform while asserting her own artistic identity amidst the backdrop of a pivotal exhibition. In 1985 New York, Jack reflected on the tumultuous events of Tilly's party covered in the opening chapter. Their argument continued at home, escalating as Jack accused Anita of plagiarism. Suspicion and resentment brewed as Jack suspected Anita of leaving him.

Switching to 1998 Providence, Raquel faced scrutiny and manipulation from her peers, the elitist Art History Girls, regarding her budding relationship with Nick and her career opportunities.

In 1978 New York, Anita's journey from Cuba to the art scene unfolded, marked by challenges and defiance against male-dominated spaces. Her first meeting with Jack ignited sparks of attraction, setting the foundation for their turbulent relationship.

Back in 1998 Providence, Raquel grappled with Marcus's concerns over her relationship with Nick and revealed her struggles with an eating disorder.

In 1985 New York, Anita's fate reached its tragic climax as she confronted Jack with evidence of his infidelity, seeking retribution but meeting a violent end when Jack threw her out of a window, leading to her death. Her perspective shifted in a surreal twist as she envisioned her descent into the sea, reemerging in the afterlife on Varadero beach in Cuba.

Raquel prepared for a Campus Dance with Nick, who surprised her with a new dress and introduced her to his parents before the event.

Jack dreamed of being at his own exhibition, haunted by glimpses of Anita amidst a sea of white. He woke up in a prison cell, bailed out by an unknown benefactor. Meeting with lawyer Ron Rosen, Jack discussed his defense against Anita's murder charges. Ron questioned Jack's actions after Anita's death and proposed painting Anita as unstable, driven by her interest in Santeria, to defend Jack.

In 1980, Anita returned to her homeland of Cuba on a cultural exchange visit with other American artists. Anita decided she wanted to stay for a whole year and bribed an official to help get her the necessary paperwork by giving him the Bulgari earrings given to her by Jack. In 1985 New York, Jack attended Anita's feminist-organized memorial against Tilly's advice, bringing Ingrid, with whom he was having an affair. Anita's sister's silent protest prompted Jack's departure with Ingrid. In Central Park, Jack imagined seeing feminist protestors reenacting Anita's artworks, though Ingrid said she could not see them.

Raquel’s mother and sister came to visit. Raquel introduced them to Nick and the conversation was stilted and awkward. Jack retreated to a countryside home with Ingrid. Initially peaceful, their trip turned eerie as a record player inexplicably blared Paul Simon's "Graceland" and a bat attacked them. Jack was disturbed by the bat's resemblance to Anita.

In the afterlife, Anita resided mostly on Varadero beach but occasionally returned to the living world by climbing a ceiba tree. Frustrated by her inability to intervene, she visited her sister and observed legal disputes with Jack. Anita learned she could manifest as a bat and recalled biting Jack and Ingrid during one such visit.

In Providence 1998, Raquel was surprised by an invitation from Nick's mom, Linda, after a strained encounter with Raquel's family. At work, Raquel learned shocking details about Jack Martin's past from her boss, Belinda Kim, including his wife's death. Raquel was dismayed by Linda's dismissive attitude towards Anita's art but reconciled with Nick after drinks.

In 1987 New York, Jack believed Anita's growing posthumous attention strengthened her ghost's presence, motivating him to block her sister’s planned exhibition. He persuaded Tilly to use her influence to cancel the tour of Anita's work. Anita's frustration boiled over as Tilly canceled the tour of her artwork. Anita reacted by smashing glasses and disrupting the calls.

Raquel began researching the life and art of Anita. She noticed the influence of Anita’s work on some of Jack’s work in the years immediately after Anita’s death.

In 1987 New York, Anita attended her own exhibition organized by her sister, witnessing her artwork being stored away after the event. Back in the afterlife, Anita learned she had lost the ability to transform into a bat due to her art being forgotten.

In 1989, Jack, acquitted of Anita's murder, faced frustration as his exhibition's installation kept changing. He and Tilly uncovered plans to auction Anita's work, believing it would strengthen her spirit. Tilly ensured Anita's work was bought by associates to prevent its display. Ten years after Anita’s death, Jack gained control of her estate legally.

In Providence, Raquel suggested Nick should cut her hair. She told him to cut 12 inches but instead he cut it very short, leaving Raquel distraught. Raquel reached out to her thesis advisor, John Temple, questioning why Anita de Monte's murder was not covered in classes about Jack Martin. Raquel underwent a limpia ceremony, where she learned she had spirits watching over her, including her grandmother and a stranger. At work, Belinda showed Raquel more of Anita's work, including a land art piece that resembled Jack Martin's later work.

Anita returned to the living world, discovering two women interested in a retrospective of her work: Raquel and Belinda. She observed an argument between Raquel and Nick, intervening when Nick mistreated Raquel. Raquel presented her honors thesis on Jack Martin and Anita de Monte and secured a writing job at Art in America. She moved to Brooklyn and received a package from Linda Fitzsimmons containing a piece of Anita's art. In 2000, Anita freely traveled in the living world thanks to Raquel's efforts to bring attention to her work. She offered guidance to those she cared about, including Raquel, and attended a party at Tilly's apartment. Anita played Graceland loudly and appeared as a bat in front of Jack, considering but ultimately refraining from harming him.