Review by trlshah - Cleopatra and Frankenstein

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trlshah 's review for:

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

4.0

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.

While Frank is away on a two-week shoot, Cleo has a torrid affair with his best friend, Anders. When Frank returns, she cannot bring herself to tell him. Convinced that she will never leave Frank, Anders moves to Los Angeles. The breaking point comes when Cleo attempts suicide. Though Frank and Cleo try to mend their relationship, they realize that separation is inevitable. Cleo moves to Italy to attend Art School, rekindling her creative self. Frank acknowledges his alcoholism, joins AA, and starts dating Eleanor. Anders remains in Los Angeles, and his affair with Cleo stays a secret.

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