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dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
Poignant, tender and real. I don’t think I’ve read many books like this, exploring the dark and ugly sides of humanity and people and life. It was equals parts depressing and comforting. The writing was in the style of all contemporary literature - bit distant, a bit removed, but so clearcut when it came to describing human emotion and situations. And most importantly, gripping. I read and read and only stopped at moments when the book exhausted me. But the next morning, I’d inevitably pick it up again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Suicide attempt
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cleopatra & Frankenstein is such a tender, human story. I have tremendous gratitude for any book or author who leaves me feeling more open-hearted than when I started the book. I have issues with Frank, but my issues are less with Frank specifically and more with the broader trope of how characters LIKE Frank are often found at the center of these narratives, which feels a bit tired considering the characters in this novel who could’ve been centered more. I wanted more of Quentin! All in all though, really loved reading this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicide, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt
dark
emotional
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
“When the darkest part of you meets the darkest part of me, it creates light.”
I was here thinking this was a romance, oh boy was I wrong. This book was recommended by a friend of mine when I asked her to lend me a book that is "within my comfort zone". The first chapter literally shows their meet-cute and the second chapter shows their wedding, so I definitely thought this was a romance book. Oh little did I know that I'll be along for a ride. A ride in between several characters but focused on the two main characters - Cleo and Frank. We do have other point of view from their friends and family and to be honest, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It showed what they are doing and thinking during the time Cleo and Frank are exploring their relationship. Of course, it's not like I love all point of views *ehem ehem*. At some point, I was even judging every character I came across but by the end of the book, there are some endings that I enjoyed.
So Cleo and Frank, two people who met in a convenience store and ended up getting married a few months after. A whirlwind of events occurred that simultaneously ended up breaking my heart. I'll miss them both, to be honest. It was a...insightful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Suicide attempt
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
I can’t decide if I liked this or not. Some parts were good, so parts were very boring, especially at the start. I enjoyed the writing and detail and almost feel like this will make a better tv show than book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really struggled to read this book, if it can be defined such. If it wasn't the chosen reading for the book club I am part of, I would have been given it up. There was no plot and Cleo (the main character) was a Mary Sue with no personality. She was insufferable, yet everyone liked her somehow. To be honest most of the characters were awful and insufferable. The only positive ones were Eleanor and Santiago, which were the better characterised ones and not a caricature. The thing I despised the most about this book was the vulgarity of the language used. At some point I thought I was reading a fanfiction written by a nymphomaniac because there was a constant mention of sex. I don't think you need to be so vulgar and explicit. Also, I felt there was almost a glorification of alcohol consumption and substance abuse.
It was such an unpleasant read.
It was such an unpleasant read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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:
Yes
Cleo and Frank—two people at different stages of life—meet by chance in NYC, fall in love, and marry on a whim. Frank embodies the stereotypical 'work hard, play hard' mentality as the Creative Head of an Ad agency. He believes that he is doing everything for Cleo, except for the one thing she asks: to stop drinking daily. Meanwhile, Cleo feels creatively stifled and increasingly alienated. Cleo’s friendships feel hollow, and she no longer connects with those around her. Frank and Cleo's idyllic marriage begins to unravel within a year. Frank is attracted to a new hire, Eleanor but refrains from pursuing her.
In many ways, the characters embody the traits of their private monikers—Cleopatra and Frankenstein. Cleo, like Cleopatra, is breathtakingly beautiful, attracting lovers and friends who dote on her. Yet, at her core, she is lonely, wanting, and vulnerable. Frankenstein is defined as "a person who creates a monster or a destructive agency that cannot be controlled or that brings about the creator's ruin." Similarly, Frank appears to be sorted-out, hardworking, and accomplished—the ideal husband. However, his latent self-destructive tendencies surface as he refuses to acknowledge his drinking problem until it is too late.
A poignant read showcasing Coco's fluid prose and memorable characters. The novel explores how family trauma, loneliness, and addiction erode relationships. What starts as a passionate romance quickly fractures under the weight of unresolved past wounds, revealing the insidious ways that trauma can shape love, self-worth, and relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual content