A review by mstall_
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

emotional medium-paced
  • 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

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by
Coco Mellors is a captivating story about relationship, wounding choice, agency, and growing up. The story follows two central characters, Cleo and Frank, who meet one New Year’s Eve night in New York and decide a few short months later to get married. As they set off in their new life they feel nothing but hope and excitement for the future. However, they’re not truly prepared for the upheavals life will offer them.  Frank’s drinking becomes more and more problematic and Cole’s depression worsens and worsens. Thus follows the story of how these two people’s relationship impacts not only themselves but everyone else is their life, like ripples from a pebble thrown in a pond.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein is a testament to relationships that we know are not working, but because we are fearful and ashamed, we refuse to let go. It is a 300 and some odd page encouragement to release things in your life that do not fit anymore so that something  earth shattering can arrive.

Coco Mellors’ writing is witty and quick — every sentence is meaningful. The plot is intricately woven in such a way that you find yourself giddy when a small Easter egg pops up. The pacing for such a heavy character driven story is absolutely perfect. Highly recommend!