Cleopatra and Frankenstein

Cleopatra and Frankenstein is an example of contemporary fiction that combines both romance and grit. In recent years, literary fiction has highlighted both male and female characters who struggle to understand themselves within modern Western society’s capitalistic structures, an emphasis on sexual relationships over meaningful romantic ones, and identity crises. These novels are written to reflect the structures and pressures of the modern millennial world. Unlike traditional romances or coming-of-age stories, characters in this particular style of fiction are often flawed, aren’t always good to themselves or to others, and hit rock bottom before they can start considering how to change. Their journeys reflect the harsh realities of a life informed by capitalistic society in which money and productivity are difficult to come by and individual identities are warped by the onslaught of outside influences.

This trend is largely attributed to the Irish millennial author Sally Rooney. Her novels Conversations with Friends (2017), Normal People (2018), and Beautiful World, Where Are You? (2021) feature a host of characters, both male and female, whose various levels of success and financial stability further enhance their ennui, their existential stress, and their unstable sense of self. Like Cleopatra and Frankenstein, Rooney’s novels glamorize anguish and don’t provide neat resolutions.