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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
Though I really enjoyed Coco Mellors writing style, I just don’t think this was the right plot for me.
The book explores a series of characters outside of Cleo & Frank in an attempt to create a weave of narratives but not me the overlap between characters felt very one note and wasn’t any significant development for some of the core characters.
The depth to the characters themselves as individuals felt well written and I found myself enjoying each in their own right. I do wish we got more from Zoe’s as for me she was one of the more interesting characters.
The pacing was definitely off with the writing style for select characters creating very long chapters and gaps between progressing their individual story arch’s. I also found the ending wrap up a bit underwhelming to be honest.
Overall the characters were great but felt like the interconnection between them wasn’t as well executed as I hoped. Though I don’t see myself reading this book again, I enjoyed the writing and would be keen to check out her other work.
The book explores a series of characters outside of Cleo & Frank in an attempt to create a weave of narratives but not me the overlap between characters felt very one note and wasn’t any significant development for some of the core characters.
The depth to the characters themselves as individuals felt well written and I found myself enjoying each in their own right. I do wish we got more from Zoe’s as for me she was one of the more interesting characters.
The pacing was definitely off with the writing style for select characters creating very long chapters and gaps between progressing their individual story arch’s. I also found the ending wrap up a bit underwhelming to be honest.
Overall the characters were great but felt like the interconnection between them wasn’t as well executed as I hoped. Though I don’t see myself reading this book again, I enjoyed the writing and would be keen to check out her other work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Suicide, Alcohol
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
Easily my favorite book. The novel is heartbreaking and beautiful. It details, in brutal honesty, what the reality of living within a toxic relationship looks like from every point of view in a person’s life. Mellors is an author with a deep understanding of the human condition. Cleopatra and Frankenstein explores the importance of grief, sympathy, endurance, optimism, compassion, honesty, sobriety, sex, self worth, therapy, art, and love both platonic and romantic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcohol
challenging
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Self harm
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Alcohol
Minor: Suicide, Abandonment
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicide attempt
Minor: Drug use
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very elitist behaviour and self destructive behaviour that comes with that. The book was very weirdly written, with adding random one chapters from a different POV and even within the same paragraph switch POVs. Reminded me of normal people but written a bit better, still not great
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
I found that there were a lot of distressing moments in this novel, but having said that, the characters were so well written that I wanted to continue reading to the end. The final chapter was beautifully written, and the ending was very satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting
Moderate: Bullying, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Death of parent
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can totally see why people really love this book, I just think it wasn't quite for me at the time I read it. It's a really unflinching look at the issues the characters are facing, which I think has real value, but a bit too heavy for what feels like the 8th straight month of winter where I live. I also think I was more drawn to some of the side characters than to Frank and Cleo in parts, and maybe read it too soon after EVENINGS AND WEEKENDS, which I liked more. I did enjoy it, but I'd heard a lot about this book so I had high expectations that it unfortunately didn't quite meet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death
Moderate: Self harm, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Sexual content