A review by earth2sammi
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was hard to rate because there are so many pros and cons of this book. I find the cover kind of misleading because it doesn't look like Cleo or Frank so like. Is it just there for the vibes orrrrr am I missing something. I don't really like Cleo and I don't really like Frank, but I don't think that matters. I did LOVE Eleanor, but I also dreaded her chapters. I just wish that everyone had been better to each other. Everything seemed so vapid and pretentious.

I think I would have rated this book a lot lower if not for the last chapter. I think it did show how Cleo had grown--her not talking to Quentin anymore was heartbreaking but it was also what was best for her. I like the thought of Cleo and Frank still being friends, but it does make me sad how they hurt each other so much. Cleo's art almost send Frank into a panic attack, and he also didn't fully believe in her talent, and he was so quick to mentally get angry at her and mock her for using crystals. It's like they can't stand each other but they need each other to be in their lives. It's so confusing. I like that Cleo and Zoe are friends now, and that Zoe has found her niche. Anders is a cliche. I understand Cleo's jealousy of Eleanor getting the sober, more attentive version of Frank, but I don't think Cleo would have been ready for that version either. I don't know. I don't think I ever want to read this book again.


Also, ended up talking to my therapist today about the line "But the people who did get that love, they grew up to be different from us. More secure. Maybe they're not as shiny or successful as you and I feel we have to be. But it's not because they're not interesting. They just don't feel they have to do the tap dance, you know? They don't have to prove themselves all the time to be loved. Because they always were." That did a number on me. 
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