The Cleaners cover art

The Cleaners

Faraway collection

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The Cleaners

By: Ken Liu
Narrated by: Kate Rudd
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About this listen

Touch the past or wash it away? Two sisters have a choice in this unforgettable short story of everyday magic and the power of memory by the Hugo and Nebula Award-winning author Ken Liu.

Gui is a professional cleaner at A Fresh Start, scrubbing away the unpleasant layers of memory that build up on the personal objects of his customers. Memory-blind himself, he can’t feel those wounds. Clara can, and she prefers them irretrievable. Until her sister, Beatrice, ultrasensitive to memory, raises one that could change Clara’s mind. For Gui, the past is gone. For Clara and Beatrice, deciding what to remember reaches to the heart of their shared history.

The Cleaners is part of Faraway, a collection of retold fairy tales that take the happily-ever-after in daring new directions. Whether read or listened to in one sitting, prepare to be charmed, moved, enlightened, and frightened all over again.

©2020 Ken Liu (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Anthologies & Short Stories Fantasy Fiction Short Stories Magic

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All stars
Most relevant
Suspension of disbelief is a must for this one, however it comes so easily it will surprise you. Storytelling is exquisite, wordcrafting skill is beautiful with Ken Liu, and a very human and empathetic dimension is the red thread through the whole narrative.

Storytelling superlative with a delicate supernatural touch

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