Reviews with content warning for Suicide attempt - Cleopatra Y Frankenstein

I am a sucker for melancholy books about the human experience and this was definitely that. Reading Cleopatra and Frankenstein was like being dropped into someone’s life, following them around, and just as suddenly being pulled away. In this case we not only follow the two main characters, but briefly drop into the lives of a few of the side characters too.

I can see how this book would not be for everyone – it’s character led with a meandering plot that really leads to nowhere – but I enjoyed it! I will say, though, that the description on the back of the book is a little misleading. I found very little humour in it and, while, there are a couple of POVs from the side character’s referenced, their storylines are pretty minor. I would also recommend checking trigger warnings before reading; there is adultery, heavy drug use, discussions of depression and suicide, and an attempted suicide.

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daisymoffit's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.75

Gorgeous novel. Easy to slip away into, Cleopatra and Frankenstein explores love, trust, sense of self, and is set in an engaging and multifaceted friend group in New York. Felt very much like a twenties-something book, gave me lots of good quotes. Fun and introspective read.

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moonpeach's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring reflective 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

4.0

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freshasadaisy's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful slow-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

3.75

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alexandram's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

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

5.0

i don’t usually cry reading books but i cried reading this one. it was a fucking journey and i lived every second of it. my heart ached so much for the characters and i really felt like i learnt a lot. and it’s so well written like aghhhh!! i’m not much of a re-reader either but i’d read this again.

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