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avasreads_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
⭐⭐⭐⭐
4/5
what a book to get me out of my reading slump! i haven't read a full length novel in a couple of months, and this one was kind of perfect for the occasion.
cleopatra and frankenstein follows the impulsive marriage between 24-year-old cleo and 43-year-old frank, to, broadly, secure cleo a green card. their marriage (inevitably) has far-reaching consequences, and the novel explores themes such as loss, complex relationships and addiction.
this beautifully vivid portrayal of the new york of the early 2000s makes me feel nostalgic for a time i don't remember, and the central characters lead a glamorous life of art, culture, drink and drugs. i loved how the characters felt painfully real - although the plot, at times, seemed almost unbelievable, readers recognise that they lead a ridiculous life. almost certainly backed up by a hefty trust fund, many of the characters don't seem to be burdened by student loans, paying the rent and bills, and can therefore gallivant around new york city. despite the perhaps unrealistic lack of financial struggles, this places emphasis on the mental and emotional journeys of the characters, which is objectively far more important. the characters are far from simple, and can be perceived to be both protagonists and antagonists, having both a positive and negative impact on each other. i love the unrealistic realism, it gives the novel an ethereal quality.
for me, the most interesting storyline was that of zoe's, the younger sister of frank. she is broke, nineteen years old and navigating a large city. i seemed to identify with her, whether that's because we are similar in age or i deeply sympathise with her and her situation i don't know. i hope she is happy, she deserves the world 🤍
it certainly won't be everyone's cup of tea, and definitely feeds into the 'sad girl' trope (i was delighted with the lana reference, or just delusional). regardless, i ate this the fuck up.
Graphic: Addiction, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Infidelity, Eating disorder, Drug use, Drug abuse, Cursing, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
garfriendofmine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Drug use, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Terminal illness, Dementia, Death, Mental illness, Infidelity, Animal death, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Gaslighting, Death of parent, Cursing, Classism, Blood, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
fairyko's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Graphic: Drug abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Toxic relationship, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexual harassment, Blood, Cursing, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Animal death
c_alma_d's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Sexual content, Self harm, Cursing, Alcoholism, Suicide, Mental illness, Drug abuse, and Addiction
celticthistle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Self harm, Grief, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Body shaming, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Drug abuse, Addiction, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Drug abuse, Addiction, and Blood
rieriereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
•••
My Rating System
5 🌟 - Life changing, a new favorite read
4 ⭐ - I loved it
3 ⭐ - I liked it
2 ⭐ - It was okay
1 ⭐ - I hated it but decided to not dnf
Graphic: Alcohol, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Pregnancy
livangel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Cursing
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Grief, Drug use, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Medical content, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Blood, Sexual content, Vomit, Suicide, Animal death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, and Physical abuse
philippmk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Abandonment, Terminal illness, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Suicide attempt, Blood, Death, Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Self harm
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Animal death
lidia7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
love the writing style
a lot of TWs, sorry if i forgot some
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Classism, Infidelity, Blood, Death of parent, Grief, Animal death, Cursing, Dementia, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Medical content, Sexism, Vomit, and Suicide
laurafrances's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Fatphobia, Grief, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Drug use, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Gaslighting, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Bullying, Addiction, Animal death, Body shaming, Cursing, and Eating disorder