The Intoxicating Allure of Impulsive Love
You know that moment when you’re teetering on the edge of something big? That delicious, terrifying instant before you take the plunge? Coco Mellors’ debut novel “Cleopatra and Frankenstein” captures that feeling and stretches it out over 400 glorious, gut-wrenching pages. It’s a story about love, sure, but it’s also about the mess we make of our lives when we’re young and stupid and brave enough to believe that love conquers all.
The novel follows Cleo, a 24-year-old British painter adrift in New York City, and Frank, a 44-year-old ad executive with more baggage than JFK on a holiday weekend. They meet, they fall hard, and they get married faster than you can say “green card marriage.” But this isn’t some cutesy rom-com setup. Nah, Mellors is after something grittier, more real. She’s painting a portrait of a relationship that’s equal parts intoxicating and toxic, and she’s doing it with the kind of raw, unflinching honesty that’ll make you wince and nod in recognition.
A Cast of Characters You’ll Love to Hate (and Hate to Love)
Look, I’m gonna be real with you—there’s not a single character in this book who isn’t deeply flawed. And that’s what makes it so damn good. Cleo’s a hot mess of insecurity and artistic ambition. Frank’s a functioning alcoholic with mommy issues. Their friends are a parade of beautiful disasters – there’s Quentin, Cleo’s best friend, who’s struggling with his gender identity, and Zoe, Frank’s wild-child half-sister, who’s one bad decision away from a total meltdown.
But here’s the thing – Mellors writes these characters with such empathy and nuance that you can’t help but root for them, even when they’re being absolute trainwrecks. It’s like watching your messiest friend make terrible choices at a bar. You know you should intervene, but part of you just wants to see how it all plays out.
Cleo and Frank: A Love Story for the Dysfunctional Ages
At the heart of the novel is the relationship between Cleo and Frank. And oh boy, is it a doozy. Their whirlwind romance is intoxicating at first—all passion and possibility. But as reality sets in, we start to see the cracks. Frank’s drinking becomes impossible to ignore. Cleo’s mental health starts to unravel. And that age gap? Yeah, it’s not just a number.
In Cleopatra and Frankenstein, Coco Mellors doesn’t shy away from the ugly parts of their relationship. She shows us the fights, the misunderstandings, and the moments of cruel indifference. But she also gives us glimpses of the tenderness and connection that keep them coming back to each other. It’s messy and complicated and painfully real.
Supporting Players: A Chorus of Dysfunction
While Cleo and Frank are the main event, the supporting characters are far from forgettable. Quentin’s journey of self-discovery is particularly compelling. His struggle to reconcile his gender identity with his family’s expectations is heartbreaking and beautifully rendered. And Zoe? Man, that girl is a force of nature. Her reckless behavior and daddy issues could’ve been cliché in less capable hands, but Mellors gives her depth and vulnerability that make her impossible to dismiss.
New York City: The Ultimate Enabler
Let’s talk about setting for a sec. New York City isn’t just a backdrop in this novel – it’s practically a character in its own right. Mellors captures the frenetic energy of the city, its ability to make you feel simultaneously invincible and utterly insignificant. It’s the perfect playground for these characters to make their mistakes and chase their dreams.
From gritty East Village apartments to glitzy Tribeca lofts, Mellors paints a vivid picture of a city that’s always pulsing with possibility. It’s a New York that feels lived-in and authentic, not some sanitized postcard version. You can practically smell the street vendor hot dogs and hear the rush of the subway.
The Art of Unraveling: Mental Health and Creativity
One of the most striking aspects of “Cleopatra and Frankenstein” is its unflinching portrayal of mental illness. Cleo’s struggle with depression is particularly raw and affecting. Mellors doesn’t romanticize it or use it as a plot device – she shows the daily grind of living with a mental illness, the way it seeps into every aspect of life.
There’s also a fascinating exploration of the relationship between mental health and creativity. Cleo’s art is inextricably linked to her emotional state, and we see how her depression both fuels and stifles her work. It’s a nuanced take on the “tortured artist” trope that feels refreshingly honest.
Frank’s Demons: Addiction and Self-Destruction
Frank’s battle with alcoholism is equally well-drawn. Mellors shows us the gradual slide from social drinking to dependency, the lies and justifications, and the toll it takes on his relationships. It’s not pretty, but it’s painfully authentic. And the way his addiction interacts with Cleo’s depression creates a perfect storm of dysfunction that’s impossible to look away from.
The Price of Growing Up: Youth, Ambition, and Compromise
At its core, “Cleopatra and Frankenstein” is a coming-of-age story—not just for Cleo, but for all the characters. We watch them grapple with the realities of adulthood, the compromises and disappointments that come with growing up. Cleo’s struggle to balance her artistic ambitions with the practicalities of life is particularly poignant. And Frank? He’s proof that sometimes growing up is a lifelong process.
Mellors captures that bittersweet moment when youthful dreams collide with reality. It’s a universal experience, but she makes it feel fresh and immediate. There’s a sense of nostalgia for a time when anything seemed possible, tempered by the hard-won wisdom of experience.
Love in All Its Forms: Beyond Romance
While Cleo and Frank’s relationship is the central focus, Mellors explores all kinds of love throughout the novel. There’s the fierce, complicated love between siblings (Zoe and Frank), the ride-or-die loyalty of best friends (Cleo and Quentin), and even the messy, boundary-crossing love between mentor and protégé (Frank and Eleanor).
These relationships are just as richly drawn as the central romance, and they provide a welcome counterpoint to Cleo and Frank’s volatile dynamic. Mellors shows us that love – in all its forms – can be both a lifeline and a noose.
The Verdict: A Stunning Debut That’ll Leave You Reeling
Look, I’m not gonna sugarcoat it—”Cleopatra and Frankenstein” isn’t always an easy read. It’s intense, it’s messy, and it’ll probably make you feel things you’d rather not. But holy hell, is it worth it. Mellors writes with a clarity and emotional intelligence that’s rare in debut novels. Her prose is sharp and incisive, with moments of surprising beauty that’ll catch you off guard.
This isn’t a book that offers easy answers or tidy resolutions. Instead, it gives us something far more valuable – a raw, honest look at the complexities of love, identity, and growing up. It’s a story that’ll stick with you long after you turn the last page, leaving you with a hangover of emotions and a newfound appreciation for the beautiful mess of human relationships.
Who Should Read This Book?
If you’re a fan of Sally Rooney’s “Normal People” or Hanya Yanagihara’s “A Little Life,” you’ll find a lot to love here. Mellors shares their talent for dissecting relationships with unflinching honesty. But she’s got a voice all her own—less detached than Rooney, less overwhelmingly bleak than Yanagihara.
This is a book for anyone who’s ever made a reckless decision in the name of love. It’s for anyone who’s struggled to reconcile their dreams with reality. It’s for anyone who’s ever looked at their life and thought, “How the hell did I end up here?”
Final Thoughts
“Cleopatra and Frankenstein” announces Coco Mellors as a major new talent in contemporary fiction. It’s a debut that crackles with energy and emotional honesty, marking the arrival of a writer unafraid to dive into the messiest parts of the human experience. Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself reaching for the phone to call that ex you probably shouldn’t. Just… maybe wait until you finish the book first.
