'A Manual for Cleaning Women' is a captivating collection of stories that delve into the raw, honest lives of women navigating the struggles of everyday existence. Lucia Berlin brilliantly captures the essence of grit and grace through her vivid and relatable characters, each with their own unique journey. From a cleaning woman in the gritty neighborhoods of San Francisco to her reflections on addiction, motherhood, and creativity, these tales resonate with authenticity. Berlin’s prose is both sharp and lyrical, making the mundane feel extraordinary. This book invites readers to explore the beauty found in the chaos of life—will you uncover the secrets hidden within?
By Lucia Berlin
Published: 2016
""I can’t trust people who don’t drink. I can’t trust people who don’t write.""
A Manual for Cleaning Women compiles the best work of the legendary short-story writer Lucia Berlin. With the grit of Raymond Carver, the humor of Grace Paley, and a blend of wit and melancholy all her own, Berlin crafts miracles from the everyday, uncovering moments of grace in the Laundromats and halfway houses of the American Southwest, in the homes of the Bay Area upper class, among switchboard operators and struggling mothers, hitchhikers and bad Christians. Readers will revel in this remarkable collection from a master of the form and wonder how they'd ever overlooked her in the first place.
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“"I can’t trust people who don’t drink. I can’t trust people who don’t write."”
A Manual for Cleaning Women
By Lucia Berlin
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Lucia Berlin (1936-2004) was an acclaimed American short story writer celebrated for her poignant, evocative tales that often drew upon her own varied life experiences. Her notable works include 'A Manual for Cleaning Women,' a posthumous collection that showcases her unique blend of humor and pathos, as well as 'Evening in Paradise' and 'The New Yorker' stories, which reflect her remarkable ability to illuminate the everyday struggles of women and marginalized individuals. Berlin's writing style is characterized by its lyrical prose, rich character development, and unflinching honesty, often blending autobiographical elements with fiction to create deeply resonant narratives. After facing years of obscurity, her work has gained significant recognition, establishing her as a prominent voice in contemporary literature.
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