Cleaner

Description

A cleaner in British parlance is a housemaid. Despite an advanced education in the study of art, the protagonist of this book is nameless and aimless. She lives with her parents, who seem eager to push her out of the nest. Accidentally, the daughter finds that she excels and enjoys cleaning, doing dishes, and scrubbing up. Also, by accident, she meets a fellow artist, Isabella, at a gallery. She is infatuated with her. She begs Isabella to hire her as a cleaner so they can become even closer. That is how she enters the life of the affluent couple, Isabella and her boyfriend. When Isabella disappears, she seamlessly moves into Isabella’s life and becomes the paramour of the girl’s boyfriend. Thus, she has an incredible wardrobe, an art studio, and entry into a luxurious lifestyle. The central question of this novel is whether a fortunate experience can elevate one or merely serve as an interlude to a meaningless, futile existence.