Reviews

Cleopatra and Frankenstein, by Coco Mellors

nihlah's review

3.0

3.5

annabelreadss's review

5.0

I was unsure whether to rate this four stars or five, but I went with five because I think this book deserves it. The story was witty, emotional, unique, and just brilliant all-around.

I was hooked from the first chapter. The writing style is prestigious and witty, and I really enjoyed it. All of the characters were interesting to read about, even if some of them were dislikable. I loved how unique each person was and how their experiences were small and eclectic but mighty and profound in a way that gave a life-changing feel.

anorak86's review

dark emotional reflective slow-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

5.0

lenado's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

fienb_'s review against another edition

4.0

Loved the characters!

sknight's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-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

4.25

gafferz's review

5.0

I really loved reading this book! Zoomed through it super speedy fast. I've seen this book compared to Sally Rooney a lot (lol, because every novel written by a white millenial woman gets Rooney's name slapped on the front as a marketing tool), but I didn't really see that as the most compelling line of comparison. That isn't me backhandedly dismissing Sally Rooney or anything - I really like her writing too, but I just don't see it as particularly similar to Mellors'. In fact, C&F reminded me of White Teeth and On Beauty by Zadie Smith - not thematically, but because of the sensation I had while reading it. The book zips through lots of characters from vastly different social backgrounds, and it was fast paced, wide-reaching, smart, and absorbing, all of which are things I also like about Zadie Smith!
C&F also had none of the usual pitfalls I find with books that follow multiple storylines. It never felt sparse, rushed, or undeveloped, the relationships and characters all felt *real*, and not just vehicles or vessels for plot. I’ve heard this is being developed into a TV series and I would definitely like to watch it! 4.5 rounded up because I feel warm and mushy ❤️

booksmoviesandstories's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

marciprett's review

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

zembroo's review against another edition

2.0

For me it was like a conversation which lasted too long. Engaging at first but then you loose track of where it’s going and when you finally say goodbye to that person, you feel drained of energy, you don’t remember even where it all started and realise that there was no actual end to it - you just stopped talking.