A True Drama

Book Review:

Actor Wilson Protheroe encounters a mysterious and unsettling role offstage, leading to a dramatic twist in his personal narrative.

“A True Drama” by Rafael Menton weaves a compelling narrative around Wilson Protheroe, a seasoned actor who finds himself entangled in a real-life drama far removed from the stages he is accustomed to. The novel opens with Protheroe reflecting on his career and the diminishing returns of his lifelong pursuit of stardom, setting the stage for a story that delves deep into themes of identity, desire, and the unforeseen roles we find ourselves playing.

Protheroe’s journey begins with his arrival at a seemingly ideal lodging in Guildford, provided by a widow named Saanvi Khatri and her housekeeper, Deepa Bakshi. This setup quickly devolves into a surreal and unsettling experience, as Protheroe senses an undercurrent of manipulation and control beneath the surface of his interactions with his landlady and her housekeeper. The narrative skilfully intertwines Protheroe’s disorientation and loss of autonomy with broader reflections on power dynamics, cultural displacement, and the nature of performance itself.

The novel’s strength lies in its intricate character development and the psychological depth with which it explores Protheroe’s descent into a role he never auditioned for—a role that blurs the lines between subject and object, actor and acted upon. Menton crafts a world where the boundaries between the stage and reality are not just blurred but entirely dissolved, forcing the protagonist to confront his deepest fears and desires in the face of an inscrutable and controlling influence.

As the story unfolds, “A True Drama” offers a critique of the entertainment industry, the commodification of identity, and the exploitation inherent in relationships defined by power imbalances. Menton’s prose is rich and evocative, capturing the eerie atmosphere of Protheroe’s lodgings and the psychological tension that builds with each chapter. The novel’s exploration of themes such as consent, autonomy, and the performative aspects of everyday life is both timely and timeless, resonating with current discourses on gender, race, and the nature of consent.

Comparatively, “A True Drama” evokes elements found in the works of authors like Kazuo Ishiguro and Ian McEwan, where the focus on the psychological and the mundane serves as a backdrop for exploring complex emotional landscapes and ethical dilemmas. However, Menton distinguishes his work through a more direct engagement with the theme of performance, both literal and metaphorical, and its impact on the self.

In conclusion, Rafael Menton’s “A True Drama” is a compelling narrative that challenges readers to consider the roles they inhabit, the performances they give and witness, and the unseen scripts that guide their actions. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, the art of performance, and the often unsettling intersection of the two. For those intrigued by the psychological underpinnings of identity and power, Menton’s novel offers a rich, unsettling journey into the heart of what it means to perform and to be performed upon.

For readers who enjoyed “A True Drama,” books such as “The Remains of the Day” by Kazuo Ishiguro, for its exploration of self-deception and the cost of loyalty to an unworthy cause, and “Amsterdam” by Ian McEwan, for its intricate psychological drama and moral complexity, might also resonate. These works similarly probe the depths of their characters’ psyches, offering nuanced insights into the human capacity for self-delusion, the search for meaning, and the complexities of ethical decision-making