A review by futurama
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors

slow-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

2.5

This book cuts through perspectives of the titular characters and their friends and family. Each chapter focuses on a different character's life, which works bc Cleo and Frank are so boring, but also doesn't work because some characters don't get the ending the deserve (ex. Zoe and Quentin). Some chapters read like short stories, especially the sugar glider chapter, and others feel like they are thrown in without a beginning or end. I liked it and I recommended it but overall it was just okay ? 

Also, did you notice the side characters are almost all marginalized? Santiago, Audrey, Quentin, Zoe, Eleanor...they all exist to prop up the main (straight, yt, boring) characters. Even the story acknowledges that Cleo and Frank are the most boring parts of the story. I enjoyed the chapters that did not feature the titular characters. 

The eventual (there has to be an adaptation, right?) tv show will be much better.