Yasmin Zaher's debut novel, The Coin, explores the exclusivity of owning a Birkin bag through its Palestinian protagonist in New York. Unable to easily acquire the bag, she becomes involved in a reselling operation while also working at a school. However, her true obsession lies in an elaborate cleaning routine she calls a CVS Retreat. The protagonist's fixation on cleanliness and a childhood memory involving a swallowed coin intertwine her identity, leading to a deeper commentary on obsession and privilege in society.
"The great majority of people are refused a Birkin, they get told that there aren't any available in the store... It's a side quest in my life."
"Cleaning becomes her true occupation, an obsession that spirals into a quirky routine, dubbed CVS Retreat, meticulously cleansing every inch of her body."
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