Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Cleópatra e Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

77 reviews

shaleen64's review against another edition

3.75

challenging dark emotional funny 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

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If you’re a reader that likes a true plot then this isn’t really the book for you. However, whilst the majority of characters cannot be described as lovable, all are relatable and the book really explores the difficulties of navigating complex relationships  in the modern day world. 

Several really important topics are covered with enough depth that they’re not trivialised but evoke thought. The title of the book is the most perfect symbolism. However, excluding Santiago, I didn’t have a true connection with the characters hence the rating, but it’s still a book I would recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Alcohol

Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent

Minor: Sexism, Terminal illness

cecereads__'s review against another edition

4.5

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Hmm. I thought this was an immediate 5 stars from that first chapter, it had me fully invested and intrigued. I was surprised how it switched up and gave us multiple pov’s and really focused on showing that chain reaction from the ppl close to us getting into relationships, meeting new ppl, etc. Once I got used to it, I thought it was really well done and such an interesting choice. Different from what I expected, but in the end it really came together imo. And most of all it’s a book about healing.

(I’ve had my own version of a Quentin as well as a Peter and Miriam …)

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol

bethroseellis's review against another edition

3.75

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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

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Whilst at first it felt a little tropey - a poor, young, beautiful girl falls in love with a rich older man and they have vivacious friends who have wild parties - the introduction of Eleanor brings some much needed balance and grounding to the novel. The novel, and the characters, grew on me as it progressed as it highlighted some of the every day fears we can all see reflected at times.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship

Moderate: Dementia, Death of parent

afternoondreamer's review against another edition

3.75

dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism

Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Transphobia

mookisbooks's review against another edition

2.0

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment

aislinn_h's review against another edition

3.5

dark hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcohol

timetotalkbeauty's review against another edition

5.0

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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

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This is exquisite: heartbreaking, soaring, funny, painful. Such wonderful character studies and great writing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Terminal illness, Death of parent

thetainaship's review against another edition

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcohol

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Toxic friendship

jaspercanread's review against another edition

4.5

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Schizophrenia/Psychosis

garfriendofmine's review against another edition

4.0

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad tense 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

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i read this book in march of 2024 and it’s january 2025 and i still think about this book once a week (not always positive but undeniably worth reading in my opinion”

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Dementia, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Classism