I decided to read this novel for two reasons. The title, because Frankenstein is my favorite book, and I read somewhere that it was comparable to the first season of HBO's Girls. That's all very high praise to me, and perhaps all of popular culture. Despite this high praise I did my best to curb my expectations. What I found was a quirky, tongue-in-cheek romance novel tailor made for a certain generation who is only reading these types of novels. Not my taste, to be frank, however I found it enjoyable, easy, and surprisingly funny. I expect it to be a little "hidden gem" in the millennial/gen z demographic and I will sell it as so.

This book was magical from straight to finish. From the first sentence you’re completely invested in the characters, intrigued by their lives, hopeful for their futures. You’re sad when they’re sad, angry when they’re angry, happy when they’re elated, confused when they’re unsure. It was the most profoundly human reading experience I’ve had in a good, long while. What a beautiful triumph of words—what a beautiful triumph of the human soul.

I really wanted to like this but I felt like this was trying to be too Sally Rooney. Too cute or too "real".

It's all vaguely toxic and manipulative. There's always a power struggle. It's just....boring to me to read books like this with women who are just vaguely beautiful and men who doesn't deserve them.

thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was an interesting read. The author tells the story of the unlikely marriage between Cleo and Frank, exploring the way their relationship unfolds and how it impacts the others in their life. Through Frank and Cleo and the friends and family in their life, the author provides an insightful examination of connection in the modern age and the challenges of growing up at any age.

This is a terrific debut. Highly recommended!

Cleo, 24, and 40ish Frank meet in an elevator on New Year's eve. Their conversation includes this exchange:

"Pussy," said Frank quickly. "Is my bag."
...
"And you?"
"My bag? Dick." She laughed, then tilted her head to consider this further. "Maybe with a side bag of pussy. But just a small one. Like one of those little clutches you wear to the opera."
"Frank nodded. "An evening purse of pussy."
"Exactly. As opposed to, like, a duffle bag of dick."
"A portemanteau of penis."
"A carry-all of cock."
"A backpack of boners."

This is on page 8, and that's where I stopped reading. No mater how good the rest of the book is, I will never get past this. If reading about strangers discussing pussy and dick is your bag, you might like this book. It's not my bag.

Summary: Frankenstein is the monster and it’s repeated multiple times throughout the book, but in a self-destructive way, Cleopatra is too.

Frank and Cleo meet at a chance encounter and charm each other into marriage. Frank has abundance where Cleo has grown used to being left in want. And unlike the classic romance novel, you expect this is the tale of their undoing.

Told from their perspectives and at times those of their family and friends, the novel breaks down the trials of communication, temptation, and struggle to maintain your identity while growing into a relationship.

Review: The book version of a modern art painting. Eye-catching and has an air of artistic beautify but also undertones of what am I looking at? If you can get past the first 30% you will love it.

Very avant-garde feel. Openly referencing sexual topics, behaviors, and events. While they were far from pointless it was just too abundant for my reading taste. Liberal in its discussions on gender, identity, sex, feminism, attraction.

The characters were archetypes of what real people try to personify themselves as. I want to love it, but you can’t love something without acknowledging its shortcomings. The more you read the more you grow to love the title and how they fit the characters.

Read if:

you want to critically think about modern values, ideas, and societal behaviours
love reading about characters you hate
have the time to let the story unfold

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗲, 𝗶𝘁 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁.

Frank and Cleo meet on New Year’s Eve inside an elevator at a party in Tribeca, their playful banter lighting both of them up. Older gentleman that he is, Frank offers to walk her home and the two float on the air of shared intimacies. British Cleo tells him how she ended up in New York, about her parents divorce, her dad’s new family, her mother’s death, and her scholarship to study painting at a graduate program. Now at the age of 24, she is struggling and working hard as a freelancer, living in the East Village with the reality that her student visa is almost expired. Frank runs a successful ad agency (after years of working hard himself), and is quite a bit older, double her age in fact but as his friend Santiago says, ‘they are both young in spirit.’ In six months, they will marry. His support solves all of her problems and they do love each other, right? Even if it all happened in a flash, it is love, it must be! When I first started reading, I thought this was going to be a light, fast read. It felt more flirty than my usual reading taste, but then it became heavier as other characters involved in both their lives entered the story.

Where Cleo’s pals are in a different stage in life (having good times, more careless, free, exploring who they are, what they want) Franks own friends are older, more settled and successful. Of course their love is suspect to them all. Her best friend Quentin is jealous, and a little needy of her attention as he is dealing with the messes of his own heart. They had spent all their time together before Frank came along and now with his break-up with Johnny and Cleo’s marriage, Quentin is unsettled. Though he can freely explore his sexuality at ‘invite-only’ parties without disruption. His relationship with Cleo is a complex thing in itself, his deep love for her, the truth that he feels closest with no one else. He takes cheap shots, surely she married Frank for convenience, a visa! But he should be with her, even if they aren’t for each other sexually, he truly is her partner of the soul. He isn’t taking things well. In fact, he is spiraling into a bad place without her. The drugs he consumes aren’t helping him either.

Frank and Ander’s friendship is decades long and built upon intense rivalry, and Frank feels there is jealousy brewing there. With neither in long term relationship, why wouldn’t he be envious of Frank with beautiful Cleo by his side, even if Anders has all his models, Cleo is talented, intelligent, something special. But Frank truly has no idea what the real reasons are. Then there is Frank’s half-sister Zoe, from his mother’s marriage to an African American man, who he has given assistance to financially for years, deciding with his marriage it’s time to stop supporting Zoe. His sister certainly isn’t smitten with his new wife, despite shared youth and similarities in personality but surely it’s only a matter of time before she is won over. Zoe is resentful of the fact that Chloe doesn’t have to worry about money, as she now does. It’s easy to let your artistic, creative juices flow, be happy and light when money woes aren’t hanging over your head like a noose.

The point of view shifts, giving each character space inside the reader’s mind. I enjoyed Eleanor the most. Done with LA she is happy to land her new job as copy writer at the ad agency and in no time gets to know Frank. At 37 years old, she is living with her mother again in Jersey (temporarily, she reminds herself), her brilliant brother Levi rarely visits, busy doing his own thing and she is lonely. There is something grounded and clever about her, she doesn’t need model looks and dewy youth. Her humor helps her through painful realities, like her father’s illness. Frank and Eleanor hit it off, a friendship of like minds, the perfect pairing for work. When she is alone she knows she wants more out of life than where she is, thinking about people her age that are far more successful. Cleo represents youth, but Eleanor is far away from girlhood.

Frank is drinking more, Cleo isn’t happy about it, she isn’t happy at all, how can he make her happy again? He is finding that the things he has been able to provide her may be causing her to break. Each carry their childhood into adulthood, and sometimes it can be haunting. The novel isn’t solely about the age gap between them, as in any relationship threats from the outside exist, but it’s their own minds and problems that challenge their love more than other people. Can Cleo be an artist if she isn’t really painting? Who is she to point out his flaws? Their beginning seemed so magical, electric. How did they get here? There is nothing magical about fighting. There communication isn’t easy anymore and Cleo is slipping away.

It’s about love, mental health, the pain we carry into adulthood, the sacrifices we make for others, the gift of fully seeing people and the failure to. Addiction (to substances, sex, people, love, the past), marital highs and lows, evolving as people, the connections we make in the places we least expect and how to attain what the heart wants. No one in this novel is perfect or without flaws. In not always knowing their own mind, they cause pain. But there is beauty too. The human mind is the most alien thing of all, its amazing any of us make it work with another. Yes, read it.

Publication Date: February 8, 2022

Bloomsbury USA

“Frank had once seen an image of a tsunami wave carrying hundreds of species of sea life within it, sharks and stingrays and schools of silver-backed fish, all lifted high in the wave’s arc before crashing onto land… his response to her was titanic. Everything in him rose to meet her.”

I took a quick break from Dune to check out this advanced reader’s copy from Bloomsbury Publishing. I wasn’t expecting to have another 5-star read after the last two but this was a lot of fun.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein begins with a meet cute between mid-20’s British artist Cleo and mid-forties marketing exec Frank in early-aughts NYC. From there, Coco Mellors (in her debut) unweaves Cleo and Frank’s individual webs to glimpse into the lives of those around them. This narrative style, which reminded me of ‘Disappearing Earth’ by Julia Phillips, is delicious and leaves me wanting more from every character. We move quickly across time in the sometimes sweet, sometimes volatile relationship between Cleo and Frank. We see them both through multiple perspectives, putting together some of the plot through subtext in the lives of those around them. Mellors’ fresh and smart debut is drawing comparisons to Sally Rooney, which are definitely apt. This was a fun, sometimes dark, sometimes spicy, read that kept me glued to each page.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein is out on February 7. Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for providing this ARC!

5 out of 5. @raquelisreading on January 23.

This is one of those stories that is allll about setting and character. It's basically the story of a marriage mismatch, and its unraveling. I liked the urban-ness of the story - it's set in NYC's art world (contemporary). The author pokes light fun at performance art and the culture around it, and also the advertising world; and the way these two worlds clash and collide within the marriage. It's funny but not mean-spirited. You also get an oddly positive perspective on escort culture (just a tad, portrayed in a very non-dangerous light). There's self-destructiveness, and damage to other people, and damage control.

The most interesting character in the story is Eleanor, who appears about halfway in. She is the only one who gets a first-person voice, which made me feel her subjectivity more than the other characters'. I don't know how the author did it but somehow without any real exposition, she was able to demonstrate how significant Eleanor was to Frank, right from their first meeting.

Very good story - I will recommend it to literary fiction fans and fans of the NYC art world setting. Thank you!

I can't explain why but this book game me anxiety through it all.

I can officially say that the title of a book was more interesting and captivating than the content in it.

I actually liked it but I didn't particularly have a good time reading it!

*Please check trigger warnings, as this story includes themes like self-harm, substance abuse, and other sensitive subjects.*

This story takes its reader on a raw, emotional journey through all the beautiful, dark and messy parts of loving someone - whether that be a romantic partner, a close friend or difficult family member.

Cleo, a 24 year old British painter, meets Frank, a 40-something advertising firm owner, after a New Years Eve party. Although their relationship begins as a genuine friendship, Cleo and Frank's meeting takes place just before her student visa ends - catapulting them into a spontaneous marriage of convenience. Thus begins their turbulent, thrilling and toxic relationship. We are taken through the progression of their time together as well as their relationships with friends, family and coworkers via chapters written in multiple point of views.

The book was enthralling and totally captured my attention during the couple of days it took me to finish. It was nicely paced, as well. Each character (whether likable or unlikable) had satisfying development, and were written in a way that you can relate to their experiences in some deep way that you didn't expect. The commentary on spirituality by way of praying/speaking intentions into "air" whether that be "Thank you" or "Help Me" elicited some tears. Mellors' ability to comment on human experiences in such a conversational tone while connecting right to a tender heart spot is applaudable. However, the young woman/older man toxic relationship with substance abuse issues set in New York City can be overdone and cliche at times - but this book progressed and complimented the dynamic by way of its secondary characters. My favorite brief character story lines were that of Santiago and Zoe, because they were genuinely so interesting. The characters were three-dimensional, funny and likable (they were also the only characters not completely self-absorbed with the ability to make reasonable decisions - aside from Eleanor who was fine). The side character povs were also essential in understanding plot progression, as the plot is character driven and written from a stream of consciousness. Overall, I enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend!

Thank you, Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing, for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A hilariously deadpan, earnestly serious, just-farcical-enough-to-be-true portrait of love and rupture set against the backdrop of New York City.

This book follows the marriage of Cleo, a 24 year old struggling artist in New York City, and Frank, a successful business man in his 40s, as well as many of the people in their lives during the duration of their marriage.

The story is really beautifully written, the author does a great job of creating a full picture of each character and where they are in life. However, I personally found it hard to connect or care about the main protagonists of the story (Cleo & Frank) and was much more interested in the small insights we got into the lives of the secondary characters. Frank’s younger sister, Zoe, was by far my favourite character and I spent most of the book wishing the story was about her rather than Frank & Cleo.

Although this book moves through time very quick, it reads at a very slow pace. It is well written, but I think the story itself is just personally not for me but I would definitely recommend this book to others who enjoy this type of story! I look forward to seeing more books by this author.

Big thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury for the digital ARC!

Cleo, a beautiful, mid-twenties, artist meets the mid-forties, self-made Frank at a New Years Eve party. With her student visa about to expire and her struggling career, she will have to leave New York very soon. As the night goes on and despite their age gap, and contrast in professional success, a bond is formed and a relationship emerges.
Frank offers Cleo more then she could ever hope for; the freedom to pursue artistic expression, applying for a Green card and yes, marriage. This sudden twist of fate will also set the stage for the introduction of some wonderful characters as they grow together as friends, as they grow older and as they discover how unpredictable life can be regardless of status, excesses, triumphs or failures. Being amidst these individuals provides food for thought and the ability to understand the ‘hu’ in human.
The conversations are crisp, the characters lively and the story so well written that it was simply, unputdownable.
Thank you NetGalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and Coco Mellors for the pleasure of reading an ARC in exchange for an honest book review.

There was a moment where I thought this book would not live up to the promise, and the characters were falling into caricature, but I'm glad I held on. This was a really great read that for me evoked hints of Jennifer Egan's A Visit from the Goon Squad. Although not quite separate stories for each narrator, there were interwoven narratives and POVs, and an overarching story line involving Cleo and Frank. Cleo and Frank's relationship is tumultuous and well written. There were points in their dialogue where I thought "wow, I've had the same discussion with a partner". They are damaged people who bring their damage into their relationship and don't understand why their relationship is crumbling. There is a substantial age gap (20 years) that is, again, realistically painted. There is *a lot* of drug use, and although I don't have any experience with that, how their addiction fuels and ruins their relationship was relatable and well written as well. They have a circle of friends and family that have their own issues -- some are written more successfully than others (and early in the book, I feared that this this where the book would fall into tropes and stereotypes) and with a few minor quibbles, I really enjoyed how these side characters moved in and out of the narrative.

Then Eleanor was introduced, and the whole book just improved. The most successful parts of this book are her sections, and I just wanted the story to continue so I could hear more from her, her mother, and brother. Absolutely loved loved her character and the writing in her sections. Her observations and how the author weaves together her story from short bursts of text were fantastic.

"I am lonely, of course. I'm so lonely I could make a map of my loneliness. In my mind, it looks like South America, colossal, then petering out to a jagged little tip. Sometimes I'm so lonely I'm not even on that map. Sometimes I'm so lonely I'm the fucking Falklands."

"He looks like soft serve."

"So what?" ... "Let me tell you something," says my mother" Those are two of the most powerful words in the English language. Right between them is a free and happy life."

Really great debut.

Cleopatra and Frankenstein has left me utterly speechless. This book found me when I wasn’t even necessarily looking for it. I feel so deeply for every character involved in this book, even the ones who have seemingly unlikeable traits are likable because they’re just so raw. The main characters have at least one chapter where readers can see into their heads and it’s always the most fluid thoughts. The way the story is told is not very plot heavy, but the characters are all very well developed. I think fans of Sally Rooney and/or Ottessa Moshfegh would devour this novel. My final thought: Justice for Jesus.

I requested this book because I saw the comparisons to Ottessa Moshfegh and Sally Rooney. These are two very different authors who I love, so I gave it a shot and I was not disappointed. Cleo, a beautiful twenty-something year old artist meets Frank, in his early to mid-forties at a New Year's Eve party. As they get to know each other they realize they’ve got something special despite the age gap. A short while later, they’re married, Cleo is married in a gorgeous nightgown- which really set the stage for the rest of the novel, in my opinion. I enjoyed the characterization and flaws of even minor characters- like Quentin! Cleopatra and Frankenstein covered many different topics such as: sexuality, gender, substance abuse, toxic relationships, wealth, class, race, marriage, addiction and mental illness. I appreciated the honesty and awkwardness of relationships, friendships, life and social class. I definitely see Moshfegh in the way the characters and their flaws and privilege were portrayed and I see Rooney in how the ordinary is described in such a way that it is relatable and can make you uncomfortable. I appreciate literature that can bring about this reaction and I enjoyed this book.

I love the cover and the title and the beginning of this novel. But I'm in the wrong headspace for the middle/end. I am tired of reading about broken promises and failed marriages and depression - it hits too close to home. I wish I'd found this at the right time bc I can tell it's well done and deserves a wide audience!

i’m in awe of this book. it’s masterfully written, i cannot believe someone sat down and wrote this because it’s so so wonderful. there is so much depth in the relationship, the interactions feel effortless. the writing is genius. the time frame was so perfect - i loved this book. i cannot wait to read everything coco mellors publishes. i just know every reader will think this book is marvelous when it comes out! so incredible!

"How did a person learn to live? Learn to be happy? She had surrounded herself with people who didn't know. This couple, with their his-and-hers vacuums, had figured it out."

This debut novel follows the whirlwind romance between Cleo and Frank, who meet at a New Year's Eve Party in NYC. After the couple quickly get married and start living together, it's clear that the struggles facing them as individuals create serious problems within their relationship. As more characters connected to Cleo and Frank get their own chapters and storylines, The book unravels a tangled dynamic between this NYC group and the crumbling marriage.

Coco Mellors really delivered with this debut for sure. Cleo and Frank were complex characters with their issues being talked about in a very unique but realistic way. While their individual struggles such as alcoholism and parent relationships were well executed, the struggles happening in their marriage were also so well done.

While the writing set-up got confusing at some points, I still found myself relating to and sympathizing with the characters Mellors crafted. The author was able to give little snippets of side characters while never losing the impact Cleo and Frank's dynamic had on the story. I did go into this book expecting something more romance-based focusing on the two protagonists but still was pleasantly surprised.

I definitely think this is a book you should be picking up on the February 8th, 2022 publishing date. If you are looking for a book with flawed characters similar to Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney, then I highly recommend it.

Please look up TWs for this book and there are serious topics discussed. Thank you to Netgalley for giving me a digitial ARC.