Reviews with content warning for Alcoholism - Cleópatra e Frankenstein

Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Cleópatra e Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

950 reviews

bookswithaimee's review against another edition

4.25

dark funny sad 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

Okay. Why did I simultaneously hate and love this book at the same time? The characters were both frustrating and relatable?

This book explores growth, learning, and healing in unconventional settings. Some parts of this were extremely boring to me because I wasn’t interested in that dramatic New Yorker scene. However, it all came together quite beautifully in the end.

Frank and Cleo’s love story, with its authenticity, played a pivotal role in their healing journey. Moreover, the book’s ending left me with a sense of hope and happiness, even with the dramatic events of New York life.

I also want to say: I think this book is MEANT to be messy, because the characters are messy. I think if you enjoy these kinds of books and characters it’s a really great read!

Content Warnings

k80holmquist's review against another edition

3.5

emotional 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

bruello's review against another edition

4.0

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I got this book during a book exchange, it was pitched by my friend as a story that plays in New York. As I am going there soon I wanted to read it and before me unfolded so much more. The friend group is split into those who loved the book and those who hated it. Hating this story comes with a very adjusted life. If you (over)emphasise with story characters, can relate to a certain degree of self doubt followed by destruction and have clung onto a relationship (friend or amorous) just to not be alone, you might just fit into the group that enjoys this read. There is no happy ending per se, we just learn about a year in the life of two people, but the potential left at the end of the story is so uplifting and hopeful that I put it down very happy and relaxed at the turn of the last page. I am looking forward to reading more of Coco Mellors.

Content Warnings

gritsgritsgrits's review against another edition

3.5

dark funny 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

bskalka's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

I will say I almost didn't rate this five stars, it was a really tough decision. I loved all of the side character pov's and how everyone had their issues going on, but

I felt like Frank didn't deserve his happy ending. When he did finally go visit Cleo in Italy, he acknowledged, but didn't apologize, which she definitely deserved an apology. The fact that he got sober for Elenore but didn't even try for Cleo and still had a nice ending left a sour taste in my mouth. However, I kind of realized that we, the readers, aren't supposed to forgive Frank for what he did. The last chapter still puts an emphasis on how Cleo felt like he didn't really resolve things correctly with her and was still subtly playing the victim card. It felt better that Cleo seemed to also have a happy ending. From the start of the book I feel like I could tell they weren't going to end up together, and Franks relationship with Elenore also kind of solidified that for me.

After thinking about the ending for a while and realizing that Coco Mellors didn't want Frank to be perceived as some kind of redeemed character, I decided I would still give this five stars. Also I want a book about Quentin so bad. He was easily my favorite character.

Content Warnings

veelaughtland's review against another edition

3.0

challenging dark sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

paula357's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous emotional

the beginning was really hard and the writing felt extremely bumpy. but after some time i started to enjoy the book and then really fell in love with the characters

Content Warnings

nico7701's review against another edition

3.75

dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The writing was fine, but I missed an overarching story. There isn’t really a point to this book and the writing isn’t good enough to be a literary masterpiece to be worth reading for just that. I also cannot stand self-pitying, self-righteous self-insert characters. And overall I deeply disliked all characters (except for Santiago). I really wanted to tell them all „as if it isn’t the consequences of your own actions“.
It‘s fine, but I think it’s overhyped and wouldn’t necessarily recommend it.

Content Warnings