Xochitl Gonzalez’s glamorous new novel, ‘Last Night in Brooklyn,’ marks the end of an era.

On this episode of Fully Booked, bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez joins us to discuss Last Night in Brooklyn (Flatiron Books, April 21). In this highly anticipated new novel, from the author of Olga Dies Dreaming and Anita de Monte Laughs Last, narrator Alicia Canales Forten sympathetically observes the rise and fall of La Garza, a fashion designer known for hosting legendary parties in their swiftly gentrifying neighborhood. In a starred review, Kirkus calls this Great Gatsby–inspired narrative “smart, tough-minded, and passionate: a pleasure from start to finish.”

“[T]he novel’s main mission: chronicling Alicia’s struggle to sort out who she is and what she wants, with her new friend La Garza as both role model and cautionary tale,” Kirkus writes. “Brilliant party scenes, tart dialogue, and dramatic plot developments further enrich this gripping work, another step forward for the talented Gonzalez.”

Gonzalez is a contributor to the Atlantic, for which she was recognized as a 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist in Commentary. Olga Dies Dreaming won the Brooklyn Public Library Book Prize and a New York City Book Award in 2022; Anita de Monte Laughs Last was a Reese’s Book Club Pick for March 2024. A native Brooklynite and proud public school graduate, Gonzalez holds a BA from Brown University and an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and she is a trustee of Brown University and the Brooklyn Public Library.

In a spirited conversation, Gonzales shares some of the challenges of writing her first novel in the first person and what it took to develop Alicia’s voice. We talk about the differences between Alicia and La Garza, how to write a perfect party scene, and capturing the unique moments that make for a memorable night. We discuss the impact of gentrification on vibrant Fort Greene, Brooklyn, and how it influenced Last Night in Brooklyn.

Gonzalez reflects on the importance of her literary community. She expresses gratitude for the supportive team at Flatiron Books—especially her editor, Megan Lynch—and shares details about her forthcoming memoir, Need Blind (2027), exploring themes of class and identity.

At the end of the interview, Gonzalez recommends a notable new work of nonfiction to listeners. Follow @kirkus_reviews on Instagram, DM us the title of that book (along with your email and location), and you’ll be entered in a drawing to receive a $100 Visa gift card, courtesy of Kirkus.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

Escala’s Wish by David James

Loser* by C.S. Beaty

In One Strength by Eric Glassey

The Virtue of Vengeance by Brian McDonald

Fully Booked is produced by Jessica Lockhart and Megan Labrise.