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avasreads_'s review against another edition
- 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
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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.
Graphic: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Infidelity, Eating disorder, Drug use, Drug abuse, Cursing, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
leabhar_love's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Drug use, Animal death, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Self harm, Suicide, and Emotional abuse
luxxltyd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, and Self harm
Moderate: Animal death and Death of parent
nineinchnails's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Infidelity, Alcoholism, Self harm, Drug use, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Grief, Animal death, and Drug abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Death of parent, Suicide, and Addiction
Disordered eatinglgiery's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
garfriendofmine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Drug use, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Dementia, Death, Mental illness, Infidelity, Animal death, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Cursing, Classism, Blood, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
cleotheo's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Blood, Toxic friendship, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicide and Dementia
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, and Racism
sweetjuly_src's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Animal death, Vomit, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Medical content, Blood, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, and Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
marissanbullis's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Death of parent, Mental illness, Suicide, Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Emotional abuse
alisbleu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Animal death, Drug use, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Addiction, Alcoholism, Infidelity, Self harm, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Drug abuse, Death of parent, Suicide, and Adult/minor relationship