At 35, Coco Mellors is living the dream. Her debut novel, Cleopatra and Frankenstein, came out in 2022, and was the kind of runaway hit that even established authors silently pray for. It was on the Times and the Sunday Times bestsellers' lists. It's been translated into 20 languages, including Czech, Slovak, and Romanian. It's landed her an adaptation deal with Warner Bros TV. Last year, it hit the popculture bullseye - a cameo in And Just Like That.
Cleopatra and Frankenstein chronicled the heartbreaking decay of 24-year-old Cleo's harebrained marriage to Frank, a 40-something high-functioning alcoholic. A hotly debated plot point among the book's fans and critics involves Frank buying Cleo a sugar glider (a kind of possum) in an act of desperation to somehow lift her spirits.
MELLORS'S CHARACTERS ARE OFTEN IRRITATING AND UNLIKEABLE, AND YET THEY'RE CAPTIVATING, AND A HIT AMONG YOUNGER FANS
The book deals with complex relationships, addiction, dysfunctional family dynamics, and grief from the perspective of the four Blue sisters.
It works. She's thrilled. They name it Jesus. Then, Frank, in a drunken stupor, accidentally drowns Jesus in a toilet bowl. The pet, the fleeting distraction it provides, and its sudden, clumsy death is possibly the best metaphor for Cleo and Frank's blundering togetherness.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Fit Check? Look Behind You
In gyms, someone is always filming. We are all in the frame without meaning to be. Is privacy at odds with fitness goals? Is consent even possible with all those mirrors?
Avantika Dassani
Actor, @AvantikaDassani
Keep your i on this BMW
The brand's beloved sedan has now gone electric. The i5 M60 has a sci-fi roar and razor-sharp graphics. It's worth the hype
Why adapt when you can evolve?
Sometimes, the movie or show does it better than the book it is based on. Here's when to stream not flip
Sharp edges, blunt words
British chef Heston Blumenthal has gone public about his struggle with ADHD and bipolar syndrome. He hopes it calms kitchens down. It's hot in there already
The suitable boy
He's played lovers, taxi drivers, street rats and rich brats. He's redefining what it means to be the token Brown boy on set. But would he be on a reality show? Ishaan Khatter tells us why he's a career chameleon and how he got here
Stay stylish in your cubicle
Everyone's back at the office. Covid flexibilities are long forgotten. But being comfortable is still key. So, what are we wearing to work?
Hey, I found you online
Baby pics, emo selfies, old tweets outing the ex. If it makes you cringe, it makes HR departments do too. Here's how to clean up your digital footprint
Is It Scrolling Or Screening?
Being on the phone while the TV plays is the new normal. Just don't do it when there's company. A case for what it means to be present
This week, we're...
Preferring the spinoff.