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Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Alcohol
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Medical content, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
Minor: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Transphobia
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death, Drug abuse, Grief
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Suicide, Death of parent
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Suicide attempt
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt
Minor: Adult/minor relationship