A review by carolina_c
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
"Cleopatra and Frankenstein" is a book about a 20 something year old woman and a man 20 years older than her that impulsively get in a marriage that will change everything around them.
just even before reading the book I felt as if this was going to be a reading experience different from other books. before even reading the book I either read really good reviews or horrible reviews of it.
I would say that for me it was a very unique reading experience. I basically devoured the first half of the book in a week or two. After that I think I would avoid reading it. Either because I didn't want it to end since I've become attached to the characters not because of some feeling of being like them but just because I was reading about them and felt like I should watch out for them. On the other hand I think some parts of the book can be very stress inducing and sometimes I even felt sick. I think that's great when a book can do that much. But because of that I think a 3.75 review is good enough.
I liked this book but I'm a bit biased since I tend to like the sort of no plot books. I'd say the characters aren't that relatable to most of the people reading the book... Expect for Eleanor maybe. I don't see that as a flaw though since books aren't meant to just be mirrors of things we already know or of what we already are.
I'd say this book is very character driven and since I don't want to spoil anyone and I think the characters are what makes the story go on and keep the readers on the tip of their toes I think I should rate the characters and not the plot itself!
Starting with Cleo our main character. I personally liked Cleo. She could come off as too melodramatic but I think that's just how she was. At the end of the day she was still just in her twenties trying to figure herself out. Still I have to say it was a bit mean and painful when she shows Frank her final art piece.
It's Frank's turn now. I also liked Frank. I think he got the ending he needed and I was glad to see him get better by the end of the book though I find it unfair to Cleo how he only did it when he did it...I think Frank was a very flawed character and unfortunately for me I tend to like those characters a lot. Still he was very imature.
I think for Anders I can just say...The bathroom scene in his chapter...The man has some serious issues. I found it quite sweet how he took care.of his ex girlfriend's son even though he didn't have too. I think that gave him some depth but it still didn't make me like him.
Eleanor seemed to me the realest of all the characters. Her chapters were always quite comforting and seemed private like we were reading her diary's entries. When she made jokes I laughed and when she was sad I cried with her. I liked Eleanor and I was happy for her. Even though I'll admit that I kinda didn't like her in the beginning...
Quentin is Cleo's troubled best friend. I have to admit that in the beginning of the book I found him funny even though his behaviour was probably questionable...I mean his wedding present...? As the book went on I started to get tired and annoyed of him. I think for me he truly remembered me and encapsulated a toxic best friend I once had...And I had to say it hit a nerve every time he was reckless and every time he dismissed Cleo's problems. So I would have to say he is definitely not on my top 3...
Santiago is on my top 3 though! I quite liked Santiago and his whole character development. I liked to read about his past as I liked to read about his present. The way he cared for Cleo and also for Frank always made me smile.
Last but definitely not least I'm rating Zoe. Zoe is Frank's younger sister. I found her to be quite funny and it was entertaining to read about her life. I liked to read about her development and the way she grew as the narrative went on.
I think that's is all I have to say. I enjoyed reading this book and maybe a couple of yours from now when I'm in my twenties I'll reread this and find it even more realistic.
just even before reading the book I felt as if this was going to be a reading experience different from other books. before even reading the book I either read really good reviews or horrible reviews of it.
I would say that for me it was a very unique reading experience. I basically devoured the first half of the book in a week or two. After that I think I would avoid reading it. Either because I didn't want it to end since I've become attached to the characters not because of some feeling of being like them but just because I was reading about them and felt like I should watch out for them. On the other hand I think some parts of the book can be very stress inducing and sometimes I even felt sick. I think that's great when a book can do that much. But because of that I think a 3.75 review is good enough.
I liked this book but I'm a bit biased since I tend to like the sort of no plot books. I'd say the characters aren't that relatable to most of the people reading the book... Expect for Eleanor maybe. I don't see that as a flaw though since books aren't meant to just be mirrors of things we already know or of what we already are.
I'd say this book is very character driven and since I don't want to spoil anyone and I think the characters are what makes the story go on and keep the readers on the tip of their toes I think I should rate the characters and not the plot itself!
Starting with Cleo our main character. I personally liked Cleo. She could come off as too melodramatic but I think that's just how she was. At the end of the day she was still just in her twenties trying to figure herself out. Still I have to say it was a bit mean and painful when she shows Frank her final art piece.
It's Frank's turn now. I also liked Frank. I think he got the ending he needed and I was glad to see him get better by the end of the book though I find it unfair to Cleo how he only did it when he did it...I think Frank was a very flawed character and unfortunately for me I tend to like those characters a lot. Still he was very imature.
I think for Anders I can just say...The bathroom scene in his chapter...The man has some serious issues. I found it quite sweet how he took care.of his ex girlfriend's son even though he didn't have too. I think that gave him some depth but it still didn't make me like him.
Eleanor seemed to me the realest of all the characters. Her chapters were always quite comforting and seemed private like we were reading her diary's entries. When she made jokes I laughed and when she was sad I cried with her. I liked Eleanor and I was happy for her. Even though I'll admit that I kinda didn't like her in the beginning...
Quentin is Cleo's troubled best friend. I have to admit that in the beginning of the book I found him funny even though his behaviour was probably questionable...I mean his wedding present...? As the book went on I started to get tired and annoyed of him. I think for me he truly remembered me and encapsulated a toxic best friend I once had...And I had to say it hit a nerve every time he was reckless and every time he dismissed Cleo's problems. So I would have to say he is definitely not on my top 3...
Santiago is on my top 3 though! I quite liked Santiago and his whole character development. I liked to read about his past as I liked to read about his present. The way he cared for Cleo and also for Frank always made me smile.
Last but definitely not least I'm rating Zoe. Zoe is Frank's younger sister. I found her to be quite funny and it was entertaining to read about her life. I liked to read about her development and the way she grew as the narrative went on.
I think that's is all I have to say. I enjoyed reading this book and maybe a couple of yours from now when I'm in my twenties I'll reread this and find it even more realistic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Animal death