Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - Cleopatra and Frankenstein

Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

185 reviews

samneel's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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inlaraland's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Cleopatra & Frankenstein - a dramatic story that follows Cleo, an English painter living in New York, falling in love with a man named Frank who is twenty years older than her. Frank is extremely successful, and he offers Cleo a chance at being happy along with the security of staying in the city. The novel follows their marriage, and how it spirals from glitter to dust while also exploring the lives of the people closest to them.

I have mixed feelings about this book if I’m being honest. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it. I thought Cleo and Frank had a great, fleshed out story that really described their tumultuous relationship. However, I can’t say the same about the many other side characters. To me their stories felt quite disconnected and rushed in comparison which made the pacing of the book seem a little off at times. I also thought that there were elements of the book that were quite stereotypical and cliche, which made some parts a little bit too predictable for my liking. However, I still think that this is a solid read. I was hooked on the drama between the characters, and I liked just how flawed they all were in their own way. There are many themes that are explored in the book, but I think that the author did a great job at highlighting the highs and lows of addiction in its many forms.

This is the kind of book that I would read on vacation, or by the beach. It’s not a book that I would recommend to everyone, but if you grew up reading or watching “Gossip Girl” and “Sex and the City”, and you’re looking for something similar but a more melancholic and sad - then you might enjoy this novel.

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lotteee11's review against another edition

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dark emotional funny hopeful reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A highly realistic tale of messed-up people in a messed-up city. All in all a very pleasant read with some minor plot-twist and the daunting question of who is going to cheat first.

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avasreads_'s review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

cleopatra and frankenstein, coco mellors

⭐⭐⭐⭐
4/5

what a book to get me out of my reading slump! i haven't read a full length novel in a couple of months, and this one was kind of perfect for the occasion.

cleopatra and frankenstein follows the impulsive marriage between 24-year-old cleo and 43-year-old frank, to, broadly, secure cleo a green card. their marriage (inevitably) has far-reaching consequences, and the novel explores themes such as loss, complex relationships and addiction.

this beautifully vivid portrayal of the new york of the early 2000s makes me feel nostalgic for a time i don't remember, and the central characters lead a glamorous life of art, culture, drink and drugs. i loved how the characters felt painfully real - although the plot, at times, seemed almost unbelievable, readers recognise that they lead a ridiculous life. almost certainly backed up by a hefty trust fund, many of the characters don't seem to be burdened by student loans, paying the rent and bills, and can therefore gallivant around new york city. despite the perhaps unrealistic lack of financial struggles, this places emphasis on the mental and emotional journeys of the characters, which is objectively far more important. the characters are far from simple, and can be perceived to be both protagonists and antagonists, having both a positive and negative impact on each other. i love the unrealistic realism, it gives the novel an ethereal quality.

for me, the most interesting storyline was that of zoe's, the younger sister of frank. she is broke, nineteen years old and navigating a large city. i seemed to identify with her, whether that's because we are similar in age or i deeply sympathise with her and her situation i don't know. i hope she is happy, she deserves the world 🤍

it certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, and definitely feeds into the 'sad girl' trope (i was delighted with the lana reference, or just delusional). regardless, i ate this the fuck up.

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