Review of ​Role Play by Clara Drummond

​Role Play by Clara Drummond is a novel about Vivian Noronha, a curator as well as daughter to a well-off family in Brazil. She sees herself as middle class, though has servants and her family owns multiple properties, putting her firmly in the wealthy class. Throughout the novel, Vivian goes to parties, does drugs, has sex, and lives a life of a Brazilian elite. Though, under the surface there are problems: Vivian grew up in a conservative household where sex was taboo, had medical problems with her eyesight, and was put on medication for her depression. There’s a moment where her cousin, Albertinho (whose father is actually the one supplying Vivian’s family with money), makes her drink until she blacks out because she doesn’t want to answer his invasive questions. Then, one night at a party, one of the usual vendors selling beer, Darlene, doesn’t appear. Vivian asks another vendor, and it turns out Darlene had died. This causes Vivian, not necessarily to feel pity for Darlene, but to think about Vivian’s life in context to Darlene’s. At the end of the novel, Vivian has rough sex with Luiz Felipe, in a way to work through her feelings both in relation to Darlene and to her family.
 
Drummond provides a really strong and nearly satirical voice to Vivian, which shows on the outside she’s a strong, rich woman. Though, on the inside has loads of insecurities that materialize in the way she approaches sex and partying. It’s a really interesting look into the lives of the elite, and the problems that they encounter.
 
Final Rating: 4.5/5