A Manual for Cleaning Women
A Manual for Cleaning Women
Fiction | Short Story Collection | Adult | Published in 2015
Book Brief
432
Short Story Collection • Fiction
2015
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin is a collection of short stories featuring female characters from diverse backgrounds dealing with struggles such as addiction, illness, and alienation, often narrated in first-person, with tales like "Angel’s Laundromat" and "A Manual for Cleaning Women" exploring their raw, human experiences. The book includes themes of alcoholism, abuse, and mental health struggles.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Emotional
Gritty
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
34,989 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Lucia Berlin's A Manual for Cleaning Women impresses with its keen observation and richly detailed vignettes, illustrating the gritty beauty of ordinary life. Critics praise Berlin's authentic voice and depth, though some note the uneven quality of the stories. Overall, the collection is celebrated for its vibrant, raw prose and its compassionate portrayal of human resilience.
Who Should Read A Manual for Cleaning Women?
Readers who savor raw, poignant short stories will delight in Lucia Berlin's A Manual for Cleaning Women. Comparable to Raymond Carver's What We Talk About When We Talk About Love and Alice Munro's Dear Life, this collection appeals to those who appreciate vivid, character-driven narratives that explore complex human experiences.
34,989 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
432
Short Story Collection • Fiction
2015
Adult
18+ years
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