cleopatra and frankenstein by coco mellors

It told a story of real people who had real arguments who made real love! I did struggle at times with empathy for Cleo, particularly when she was attacking Frank, but I don't think I was suppose to. The characters throughout remained true and the author never felt the need to romanticise relationships. It was brutal and sensitive in equal measures. Some of the events were very true to my own life, and I felt that the author wrote about then in a way that demonstrated a deep understanding of depression. Some of it was difficult to listen to because it said out loud feelings I have struggled with myself. There was so much in the story that resonated. Not only was the performance wonderful, but the story held me completely. Ultimately, this chance meeting between two strangers outside of a New Year’s Eve party changes everything, for better or worse.Ĭleopatra and Frankenstein is an astounding and painfully relatable debut novel about the spontaneous decisions that shape our entire lives and those imperfect relationships born of unexpectedly perfect evenings. It reshapes their lives and the lives of those around them, whether that’s Cleo's best friend struggling to embrace his gender identity in the wake of her marriage or Frank's financially dependent sister arranging sugar-daddy dates after being cut off. He is everything she needs right now.Ĭleo and Frank run head-first into a romance that neither of them can quite keep up with. She offers him a life imbued with beauty and art - and, hopefully, a reason to cut back on his drinking. He offers her the chance to be happy, the freedom to paint and the opportunity to apply for a green card. Twenty years older, Frank's life is full of all the success and excess that Cleo's lacks. Her student visa is running out, and she doesn’t even have money for cigarettes. Sure, she’s at a different party every other night, but she barely knows anyone. For fans of Modern Lovers and Conversations with Friends, an addictive, humorous and poignant debut novel about the shock waves caused by one couple's impulsive marriage.

Cleopatra and frankenstein by coco mellors