Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Cleópatra e Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

161 reviews

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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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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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

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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challenging dark reflective slow-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: Complicated

I was expecting this to be some flimsy romance novel that didn’t really go anywhere and phew, it really was not! 😳 Content warnings are definitely needed and will be included below.

If I were to rate the characters in terms of likability for me, it would go from top to bottom: Eleanor, Santiago, Zoe, Frank, Cleo, Anders, Quentin 🫠 

I am THRILLED that Eleanor and Frank fell in love, and that as an adult Eleanor encouraged Frank to go and see Cleo after their separation. Is this what adults do? 😂


I did find the switch from third person to first person narratives difficult but also enjoyable. Eleanor really became my favourite through her dry and sarcastic humour that was masking her love 🥲

The relationships were SO HUMAN. So flawed, so messy and yet in all of that, so stunning. I couldn’t stop weeping at one point 🥹

4 out of 5 stars for me, thank you ✨

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emotional sad medium-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

The ending made me really sad.

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challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional reflective sad slow-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad slow-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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional funny 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

This book really put me through it, I knew just from reading the back that these characters struggle. I felt every emotion I never knew possible, and at times I didn’t even know who I was rooting for. Both the main characters were heavily flawed, Frank with alcoholism and Cleo with depression and affairs, but you could still feel they loved each other. But sometimes love isn’t enough and i personally had a hard time letting their relationship go, because I could remember the love. The ending was ver serendipitous and i personally adore their last conversation. Eleanoar is good for Frank, and Cleo needs to work on herself. They both aknowledged the faults within their marriage and moved past it. Also, RIP Jesus, you won’t be forgotten 

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
Strong character development: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes

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