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3.5 

Clean

By Alia Trabucco Zerán & Sophie Hughes
Clean by Alia Trabucco Zerán & Sophie Hughes digital book - Fable

Publisher Description

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.

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202 Reviews

3.5
“This was a reflective story that delves into memory, identity, and the weight of personal and political history. The writing is lyrical and pretty easy to follow, with a narrative that flows between timelines. While the story is competently told, I found myself questioning its deeper purpose. It felt like the narrative didn’t fully justify why it needed to be told, and the open-ended conclusion, though likely intentional, left me wanting more closure or impact. Ultimately, it has its moments, but it didn’t fully resonate with me. It’s a decent read, but not one that left a lasting impression.”
“I have never read a book like this. It is very interesting but sad. I’m glad I read it . If you want something different this is for you. The title fits but not in the way you think .”

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