Clean

A Novel

By: Alia Trabucco Zerán, Sophie Hughes - translator

Narrated by: Silvana Kane

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER!

FEATURED ON NPR FRESH AIR, NPR WEEKEND EDITION, CBS MORNINGS, AND NBC THE TODAY SHOW

“A brilliant literary thriller.” – NBC The Today Show

"A masterclass in suspense … Extraordinary." – Paula Hawkins

“Terrifying, explosive and exhilarating” – Katie Kitamura

"A modern masterpiece." -LitHub

From a global star and International Booker Prize finalist, a razor-sharp, unforgettable novel about a maid who’s seen too much and a family at a breaking point

A young girl has died and the family’s maid is being interrogated. She must tell the whole story before arriving at the girl’s death.

Estela came from the countryside, leaving her mother behind, to work for the señor and señora when their only child was born. They wanted a housemaid: “smart appearance, full time,” their ad said. She wanted to make enough money to support her mother and return home. For seven years, Estela cleaned their laundry, wiped their floors, made their meals, kept their secrets, witnessed their fights and frictions, raised their daughter. She heard the rats scrabbling in the ceiling, saw the looks the señor gave the señora; she knew about the poison in the cabinet, the gun, the daughter’s rebellion as she grew up, the mother’s coldness, the father’s distance. She saw it all.

After a series of shocking betrayals and revelations, Estela stops speaking, breaking her silence only now, to tell the story of how it all fell apart. Is this a story of revenge or a confession? Class warfare or a cautionary tale? Building tension with every page, Clean is a gripping, incisive exploration of power, domesticity, and betrayal from an international star at the height of her powers.

The voice of emptiness.

From the beginning the narrator and the story wouldn't let me stop. I don't think there was an ounce of joy in the whole thing, yet, I couldn't stop listening. I feel like I should warn you because it was like I was in a spell listening to this.

An Chilean Story from the Women who Don’t Talk

Loved Estella’s story that is the opposite of magical realism of male South American writers. I listened to the translated novel which enlivened Estella’s statement after she is imprisoned. Loved it!

Oedipus

A thought provoking fictional documentary style story of one woman's search for meaning. Haunted with visions of the past while being accustomed to a routine in the present. A melancholy tone that evokes a feeling of empathy and leaves you imagining the future fate of the characters.

So very sad

Hopelessness at its best. Left me feeling very sad. I found the end confusing & wondered “what happened “. I don’t feel I can recommend this one. Sorry. I wanted to like it.

Mixed Feelings

It was slow and boring but somehow kept me listening. Wasn't at all about the mystery of the girl's death. Will leave you feeling sad.