Reviews tagging 'Drug abuse'

Cleópatra e Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

725 reviews

dark emotional sad tense

Love the writing style of Coco Mellors, but sometimes a story is just not meant to be for everyone. I started reading „Cleopatra & Frankenstein“ with the intention of reading about their love story.
That’s not what happened
Half way through, I thought I could never recommend this book to anyone. Too much trauma. But now that I’ve finished it, it kinda grew on me. They, Frank and Cleo, grew on me. Reading about their relationship, their ups and downs, mainly their downs, did something to me I can’t pinpoint yet. But coming back to my statement from the beginning. Do I think this story was „meant“ for me? No. Does that mean it’s a bad written story? No. It was fun getting to know Frank and Cleo, but I’m happy to say goodbye to them as well. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Coco Mellors is genius and you need to read this book. 
The characters are so diverse! From a gay Polish man (trans woman?) to a woman who’s best friend is her mom, from British young broke depressed girl to older rich alcoholic. They are all unique and literally jump out through the page. 
Mellors write unlikeablility so well—I really hated some of the characters!
The writing also isn’t just in one form but is refreshing and changes throughout out.  
I stunned, mindblown, and speechless. I can’t wait to read Blue Sisters (her new book) and will read anything she posts—even her shopping lists. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

An interesting people focused story. However  I found the emotionally low mood of the book, sometimes quite relentless. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark medium-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emilysshelf's profile picture

emilysshelf's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 41%

This book felt like someone trying way too hard to be edgy and artsy. I understand that everyone is flawed but the characters in this book were wildly irritating and all toxic. The dynamics in the friend group were frustrating and I found it hard to care for any of them. I had heard lots of love for this book and was super excited but was definitely let down. Most of the characters were so self absorbed. The age-gap, and “but shes an old soul and so mature for her age” personality had me stressed. Book was insufferable and it genuinely stressed me out, I couldn’t even hate-read and push through it. Maybe in the future I’ll try to reread but it’ll be in the FAR future once the sour taste it left in my mouth is gone. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
excritos's profile picture

excritos's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 60%

I don't care what will happen with the characters anymore. 😑

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The writing is just so beautiful that I have not been able to put the book down at all. I think Frank and Cleo are going to stay with me for a while longer yet.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings