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by Coco Mellors
Cleopatra and Frankenstein drops you into the lives of Cleo, a British artist adrift in New York, and Frank, an older advertising executive, after an impulsive, drunken marriage. What unfolds isn't a fairytale, but a raw, often painful exploration of what happens when two people from different worlds try to build a life together. Mellors writes with a sharp, observant eye, delving deep into their vulnerabilities, their friends' lives, and the quiet crises that simmer beneath the surface of urban existence. The reading experience is intensely emotional and reflective, moving through moments of genuine connection and heartbreaking misunderstanding. It's a bittersweet journey about finding identity, navigating unconventional romance, and the messy business of adult relationships. Pick this up if you appreciate character-driven stories that feel honest, a little unvarnished, and leave you thinking about the complexities of love long after the last page.
If Cleopatra and Frankenstein's raw honesty about modern relationships and navigating an identity crisis in a big city spoke to you, we've curated a list of books that hit similar emotional notes. Many of these recommendations, like Conversations with Friends and Beautiful World, Where Are You, explore the messy, often complicated dynamics of unconventional romance and friendship. Others, such as Exciting Times and Luster, similarly delve into the struggles of young people finding their footing, often as outsiders, in vibrant but challenging urban environments. You'll find the same sharp prose and deep emotional dives into characters grappling with love, art, and their place in the world.
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by Sally Rooney
Like Cleopatra and Frankenstein, this novel explores the messy, often destructive dynamics of modern relationships and the power imbalances within them. It features a similar focus on young artists in an urban setting navigating intimacy, infidelity, and the complexities of adulthood.
by Naoise Dolan
This book captures the same witty, cynical, and highly observational tone found in Mellors' work, focusing on a young woman caught in a complicated love triangle. It shares the theme of being an outsider in a glamorous but isolating urban environment.
Luster mirrors the sharp, visceral prose and the exploration of age-gap dynamics and self-destruction seen in Cleopatra and Frankenstein. It provides a raw look at a young woman trying to find her place in a world that feels both beautiful and hostile.
by Elif Batuman
Fans of the intellectual and artistic discussions in Mellors' novel will appreciate the cerebral and observational style of this coming-of-age story. It captures the awkwardness and intensity of early adulthood and the search for meaning through language and art.
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by Sally Rooney
This novel deals with the same 'quarter-life crisis' themes, focusing on friendships and romances that are tested by time and differing life paths. It balances philosophical musings with the intimate, often painful details of modern connection.
by Emma Straub
Set in a vibrant Brooklyn neighborhood, this book explores the evolution of relationships from youth to middle age. It shares the ensemble cast feel and the focus on how past artistic identities shape present-day realities.
by Emma Cline
Much like the character of Cleo, the protagonist here is an outsider navigating a high-society world she doesn't quite belong to. It shares the same atmospheric, slightly tense 'vibe' of a life spiraling out of control in beautiful settings.
This novel offers a sharp, satirical, and deeply emotional look at the breakdown of a marriage and the complexities of New York City life. It matches the 'big city' energy and the nuanced character studies found in Cleopatra and Frankenstein.
by Lily King
This book resonates with the artistic struggles and romantic entanglements that drive Mellors' narrative. It is a more hopeful but equally poignant look at a woman trying to balance the demands of her art with the needs of her heart.
Capturing the same intoxicating and often damaging allure of New York City, this novel follows a young woman’s education in appetite, drugs, and love. It mirrors the 'rise and fall' trajectory and the sensory-rich prose of Cleopatra and Frankenstein.
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