43 pages • 1 hour read
The Clean House
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Book Brief
92
Play • Fiction
Northeast America • Contemporary
2004
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Clean House, a play by Sarah Ruhl, follows Lane, a busy doctor, who hires Matilde, a young Brazilian woman mourning her parents' deaths, to clean her home. Matilde befriends Lane's sister Virginia, who loves cleaning, and they uncover Charles, Lane's husband, is having an affair. The plot delves into love, loss, and complex human emotions, as the characters navigate their intertwined lives. Topics of infidelity and coping with terminal illness are present.
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Humorous
Romantic
Fantastical
Reviews & Readership
2,765 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Sarah Ruhl's The Clean House receives praise for its whimsical yet poignant storytelling, blending humor with themes of loss and love. Critics appreciate Ruhl's unique voice and imaginative approach, though some feel the play's tone shifts can be jarring. Overall, it’s recognized for its emotional depth, clever dialogue, and inventive narrative structure.
Who Should Read The Clean House?
A reader who enjoys The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl would appreciate witty, bittersweet narratives that blend humor with profound themes of love, loss, and human connection. Fans of The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde or Wit by Margaret Edson will find similar charm and depth.
2,765 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Matilde
Matilde
A Brazilian woman in her late twenties who works as Lane’s live-in cleaning lady, mourning her parents and aspiring to be a comedian while dealing with depression.
Virginia
Virginia
Lane’s older sister in her late fifties, dissatisfied with her life as a homemaker, and finds solace in cleaning and admiration for more adventurous lifestyles.
Charles
Charles
Lane’s husband, a charismatic and successful surgeon who becomes romantically involved with his patient Ana, whom he considers his soulmate.
Ana
Ana
An Argentinian woman and breast cancer patient who becomes romantically involved with Charles, choosing quality over quantity in facing her illness.
92
Play • Fiction
Northeast America • Contemporary
2004
Adult
18+ years
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