Cleopatra and Frankenstein promised a compelling read featuring two highly dysfunctional leads engaging in an impulsive marriage and its aftermath, perfectly pitched at millennial readers, especially Sally Rooney fans.

Cleo is a 24 year old painter from the UK, studying in the US. As her visa is coming to an end she meets Frank - 20 years her senior and owner of his own successful ad agency. They impulsively marry to help Cleo obtain a green card and what ensues is deeply problematic and at times heart-breaking. Cleo is clearly dealing with, or perhaps the point is not dealing with, her mental health issues, and Frank struggles to reconcile his wife with the woman he first met and develops a drinking problem.

While the novel deals with difficult topics and a deeply troubled relationship, it is often clouded in a strange light-heartedness, a dry humour and at times is borderline farcical. At times the characters had redeeming qualities but more often than not their sheer refusal to talk to each other was what fuelled so much of the disconnection between them. Though perhaps this is actually more realistic than we would like to think.

However, personally, it was difficult to get past the self-sabotaging and genuinely want to root for any of the characters. The other people in Cleo and Frank’s life only seemed to serve as plot devices for illustrating the fallout of their relationship breakdown. The only character I personally felt in any way invested in was Zoe, perhaps because she was the only one who seemed self-aware or demonstrated any growth. The point of no return for me were the scenes of animal cruelty - it was presented as simply because of the types of people they were, soon to be a funny anecdote from a former life but in fact their neglect was deeply traumatic.

I can see why some would enjoy Mellor’s style and even find the self-destruction of the characters compelling. Mellor’s has a distinctive voice and is sure to be one to watch in the future.

A lot about Cleo & Frank is personal to me. The people I’ve met, the choices and the insecurities. But mainly the desire to be rescued from this mind that wants to consume me, every waking moment!

Mellors’s “Cleopatra and Frankenstein” is like a rollercoaster ride through the complexities of love and life in New York City. In a whirlwind of charm and turmoil, we meet Cleo, an artistic spirit, and Frank, a seasoned media mogul, in a classic elevator meet-cute. Their chemistry is palpable, drawing us into their rapid romance and subsequent marriage.

The story dives deep into the messiness of modern relationships, portraying Cleo and Frank’s journey alongside a rich cast of characters. From Cleo’s expiring visa to the chaotic backdrop of NYC, Mellors crafts a narrative that feels both relatable and immersive.

While the book doesn’t tie everything neatly, it captures the essence of human vulnerability and the quest for true happiness. It’s not just a story of a marriage but a mirror to our own struggles and desires. “Cleopatra and Frankenstein” is a captivating debut that promises a bright future for Mellors as a storyteller. And that said, I am more than excited to pick up ‘Blue Sisters’!

A perfect book for a summer's day.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early review copy.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein was a very entertaining read with too many annoying characters and plot holes but that nevertheless provided a good amount of escapism.

Cleo meets Frank on New Year’s Eve, and they quickly get married soon after. Frank is, however, significantly older. Cleo and Frank may love each other, but they also bring out the worst in each other, further exacerbated by their age difference.

I thought this was a really uncomplicated read with not much substance but a whole lot of drama and entertainment. The whole book was like an adult version of a John Green novel, with Cleo giving major manic pixie dream girl vibes. She was very ‘I’m not like the other girls’, which was slightly aggravating but also did make me feel nostalgic for the books of my younger years.

All in all, a fun page turner, but it definitely won’t be for you if you’re looking for a story with actual meaning and substance.

I loved this book- the New York setting was incredibly vivid and well drawn and the characters were fascinating. It’s a very ‘cool’ book and I sometimes found it slightly too ‘zeitgeisty’ but generally thought it was a really good read

Not my usual read, but it was really good. Loved the characters and the plot was interesting and intrgueing. A little different than I expected but a great read none the less.

An absolute pleasure to read such a fabulous debut. It’s by far my favourite book this year. I cannot wait to read more by this talented writer. From the first few pages you fall in love with both characters and I actually felt like crying as I finished this. It’s so good. I’d give it a strong 5/5 and recommend it to anyone. My daughter and best friend have just bought it in my recommendation.

This book as truly divided the book reading world. Some loved it others not so much, For me I loved it. I found Frank & Cleo 2 interesting characters.
I enjoyed so much so that I bought a PB copy of the book to add to my vast collection.
Thank you to both the publishers and NetGalley for gifting me the book

Oh no. Comparisons to Sally Rooney do her a real disservice. While Rooney's work has issues her characters, at least in Normal People, feel real, flawed and authentic, I cared even when I didn't really want to. That is not at all the case with Cleopatra and Frankenstein. It is saturated with archetypes that feel cartoonish and stereotyped from Manic Pixie Dream-girl Cleo herself, to gay/trans best-friend with a drug problem, Quentin. It is a terrible example of shoehorning diversity into a story without subtlety or understanding, positively cringeworthy, especially when coupled with a plot that has been done to absolute death - whirlwind romance of poorly-suited hetero couple with a big age gap and an wealth of issues between them.

The dialogue aims for sparkling and lands squarely in contrived, I almost put it down in the first chapter, the very first time Cleo and Frank meet, because of it but ploughed on. People do not talk like this. When the characters are in company (where it appears that no-one really likes anyone else) they seem to be constantly competing for the prize of best bon mot. When not in company they seem to be rehearsing for when they are. There is no inner life or inner voice to any of them, no complexity beyond whichever issue(s) they have been assigned by the author.

Speaking of issues, there's an extensive check-list of them - mental illness, disordered eating, being in the closet, gender dysphoria, alcohol and drug addiction, abuse, self-harm , misogyny, racism - and not one of them is explored meaningfully, just there to give the story pep and edge and shock-value and it is both infuriating and dull.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein is one of my most anticipated reads of 2022. After reading it I can say that it is a book that not everyone will like. Some will say the romance is pretentious and do not make sense, at some moments I did feel that. I do love the gorgeous cover and the design the team did for this book. It is aesthetically pleasing and even though I didn't give this book 5 stars it makes me want to own it. The story is chaotic and convoluted at some places but enjoyable. It definitely has it's own charm.

Wasn’t sure if I’d like this as opinions are divided and I often don’t like these kinds of contemporary lit fic. But it was an enjoyable read, funny and interesting. Glad I gave it a go in the end.

This book has divided opinion on Goodreads - I’m coming down on the “I enjoyed it” side. I like a book that has absolutely nothing in common with my life: the vulnerable, arty Cleo, and the quick, excessive Frank may as well be from another planet with their lifestyle, excesses and impulsive marriage.

There are a fair few vulnerable characters in this novel: Cleo, Zoe (Frank’s sister), Quentin (Cleo’s gay best friend) and Eleanor. Actually Eleanor comes late to the story, and I could have read so much more about her. She’s funny, has an interesting family and simply has a lot of interesting things to say.

I’ll just add that there’s an attempted suicide in this, and both Cleo and Frank have some pretty serious mental health issues. Whilst I think they were sensitively and well dealt with, they may be upsetting for some readers. And then there’s the Flying Squirrel incident. I’d be more than happy to never have to think about that again.

So, if you like reading about complicated relationships and self-destructive behaviour, then this will be the book for you. It’s certainly a book that I’ll remember.

whew this was all over the place! i enjoyed the first 1/3 of this book but then it became boring and convoluted in an unenjoyable way. i found i was pushing myself through it and not enjoying it at the least. definitely would read again from coco mellors though!

— thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

Frank and Cleo meet on New Year's Eve and marry after a whirlwind romance. But their relationship doesn't go smoothly at all, partly because of Frank's drinking and partly because both have issues from their childhood, until things reach breaking point.

I was quite confused by this book - really great writing, great NYC setting which really comes alive, and a whole cast of quirky characters but.... I didn't really feel any emotional investment in them and some were really unlikeable which made it difficult to read. However, Eleanor's appearance in the book saved the day! I loved her and the bits of the book with her in. And I really loved the ending of the book. So a confusing review but overall, recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Set in a richly evocative New York awash with bohemian glamour, Mellors' wondrously human debut details the temporary magic and long-term messiness of a spontaneous relationship between a beautiful young artist and a wealthy older man.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein, the luminous debut novel from Coco Mellors, is a book about many things: It's a great, swooning love story; a shattering depiction of how addiction and mental illness warp our lives; and a perceptive, witty portrait of globalized New York

A thoroughly engaging novel that draws you into the idiosyncracies of modern-day New Yorkers. Yet, the novel manages to maintain a timeless feel - Gatsby for the 21st century.

A great read a real page turner. A highly unusual character driven story. Would recommend to anyone who likes a strong lead character

Ah, such high hopes for this debut, but it really missed the mark for me. Yes, the premise was good and there was humour, sadness and everything in between, but it didn't flow or gel that well for me.

Definitely a marmite book!

This was a brilliant book. Cool, chic, gripping, and full of clever insights into relationships and men and women. Highly recommended.

This book has been getting so much attention on Bookstagram - and rightly so! It’s an absolutely captivating debut, with incredibly drawn characters caught up in the tumultuous whirlwind of the New York arts scene.
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Even though this world is a hundred times more exciting and flamboyant than mine, there is something so realistic and relatable in the dialogue and situations that Coco has written.
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Two characters - Frank and Cleo - who are chaotic, passionate, impulsive and magnetic, drawn together into an impossible web of addiction and drama. Maybe if they’d met in another time, another place, I can’t help feeling that their love would have set the world on fire! 🔥 alas they are deeply complex and flawed (aren’t we all) and everything is complicated as a result.
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I actually sat and inhaled this for hours one evening, and went to bed and DREAMT about Cleo and Frank - THAT’S how real they felt! I read this on my Kindle thanks to NetGalley and will defo be buying a hardback copy to add to my collection 🫶🏼
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Also Cleo seems like a total fashion icon and I need a Pinterest board of her outfits please 🙏🏻
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Ps. Retweet if you love Jesus the sugar glider 💔