A Maid Is Suspected of Killing a Child in 'Clean,' a Novel About Class and Power

The narrative structure of Clean may sound like a suspense story, but it’s really a memoir-in-miniature narrated by Estela—a sharp woman who’s had to funnel her life into the rooms of her employers’ house. It paints an intimate portrait of her existence, showing the depth of her character and her experiences, while also reflecting broader societal issues.

Clean is an intense novel about class and power and the kind of deep down rot that lingers, despite the most vigorous scrubbing. Through Estela's reflections in her interrogation cell, we are presented with a microcosm of bigger social tensions, particularly against the backdrop of protests against income inequality and the oppressive nature of her working environment.

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