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The Trauma Cleaner
- Narrated by: Rachael Tidd
- Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
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The Trauma Cleaner
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Editor reviews
Emotional scars and mental-health struggles can manifest in a variety of ways. Among the least well-known, however, is how they can affect a person’s home. Sandra Parkhurst has made it her life’s work to enter these spaces, whether it be the rat and roach-infested homes of hoarders or the boarded-up dwellings of those struggling with addiction, to help restore order and bring peace to those living on the fringes of society.
Sarah Krasnostein's The Trauma Cleaner, shares Parkhurst’s story in tender, heartbreaking detail. Narrator Rachel Tidd brings to life the story of a woman tormented by hostility and transphobic abuse, who managed to remain full of warmth and compassion towards society's most vulnerable. At turns moving, enthralling and deeply upsetting, this fundamentally human story underscores Parkhurst’s remarkable strength and humour in the face of tragedy and adversity.
Summary
Husband, father, drag queen, sex worker, wife. You've got to hear Sandra's incredible story.
Sarah Krasnostein's The Trauma Cleaner is a love letter to an extraordinary ordinary life. In Sandra Pankhurst she discovered a woman capable of taking a lifetime of hostility and transphobic abuse and using it to care for some of society's most in-need people. Audible's editors fell in love with Sandra because of her warmth, humour and grace, and we think you will, too. Here’s what we thought of The Trauma Cleaner:
"As an acquiring editor at Audible, I read a huge number of books but this one completely stopped me in my tracks. This is one of the most 'human' books I’ve ever read, with Sandra’s deep emotional empathy told with warmth and humour. Really though, it's incredibly hard to describe this book because it's truly original – you just have to listen to it!" - Harriet, Audible Editor
"Sarah's memoir of Sandra's extraordinary life is one of the most heartfelt, deeply moving and fundamentally human stories I've listened to in a long time. Much like Brian Reed did for John B McLemore in his remarkable S-Town, Sarah paints an incredibly intimate portrait of a woman whose empathy and will to survive shines through with incredible potency. Rarely have I come across a non-fiction story told with such poetic attention to detail." - Tom, Audible Editor
About the book
Sandra Pankhurst founded her trauma cleaning business to help people whose emotional scars are written on their houses. From the forgotten flat of a drug addict to the infested home of a hoarder, Sandra enters properties and lives at the same time. But few of the people she looks after know anything of the complexity of Sandra's own life. Raised in an uncaring home, Sandra's miraculous gift for warmth and humour in the face of unspeakable personal tragedy mark her out as a one-off and make this biography unmissable.
This is a truly unique book, taking the humanity of S-Town, the beauty of H Is for Hawk and the sensitivity of When Breath Becomes Air to create something of startling originality. Sarah gives listeners a window into a life in a way only unforgettable pieces of writing can.
Due to the nature of some of Sandra's life experiences there are parts of the book which some listeners may find upsetting.
About the author
Sarah Krasnostein is a writer and a lawyer with a doctorate in criminal law. A fourth generation American and a third generation Australian, she has lived and worked in both countries. She lives in Melbourne and spends part of the year working in New York City. The Trauma Cleaner (Text Publishing / St Martin's Press) is her first book.
Sandra's extraordinary, ordinary life
Watch an interview with Sandra, accompanied by photos from throughout her lifeMore from the same
What listeners say about The Trauma Cleaner
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Bee
- 31-03-18
Fascinating
If, like me you are interested in weird and wonderful human behaviour and what makes us do what we do, you'll love this book. I was sorry when it finished.
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40 people found this helpful
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- Mrs. Lisa J. Goldblatt
- 02-04-18
A Fascinating Read
This is such a heartfelt and at the same time shocking story. I could not stop listening to it and am now going for round 2. I cannot recommend it highly enough.
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40 people found this helpful
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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- Justin D. Rumsby
- 25-03-19
Not what I was expecting
I was expecting to hear about the daily life of The Trauma Cleaner. I thought this would be focused on the job.
Instead, I hear more about the chief cleaner herself. The author, despite false political trends doesn’t paint a gushingly over sympathetic piece about Sandra.. that said, i don’t think I can be that charitable. I had a lot of sympathy for Peter/Sandra’s childhood. However, sympathy wages to losing it altogether as the Peter to Sandra story unfolds. Peter/Sandra doesn’t come across as a particularly nice person to the people that have got close to him-her. Mind you, giving childhood story, is it any wonder.
I suppose more focus on Sandra gives light relief to the description of what the cleaners experience and find when doing the job. Some people really are breathtakingly filthy! Hoarding is one thing but the way they kept house?
If you’re of a delicate disposition, you might not want to read this.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- victoria hogg
- 09-04-18
Brilliant
What a story! What a brave, strong, powerful woman. I loved this book. A great read.
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- tyto14
- 07-09-21
Excellent and gripping
This excellent and gripping story is well narrated and well written, so that just enough difficult content is shared before switching tack. The content is heavy and graphic in places, so not for everyone. The protagonist's story explains why they had to go through the traumatic journey of gender re-assignment, She is a wonderful person and somebody so full of character and personality that I can understand why the the author was so fascinated with her and wanted to write this book. I listened to the whole book two days straight - I found it fascinating
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- "polkadotcutie"
- 18-12-18
Loved every minute!
This is a brilliant and fascinating book. I was moved and inspired. Highly recommended! Sandra is a unique person and her insight into trauma and her ability to show complete compassion and lack of judgement to the most marginalised members of society is truly wonderful. The narrator was excellent and really captured the tone of the book perfectly.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- helen
- 30-11-18
A very unique perspective on a very unique person
I loved this very unusual book. The subject, a dying transsexual who had been adopted at six weeks old who had been physically and emotionally abused from the age of seven who went through many lifetimes during the course of her life. Just amazing.
I love you Sandra Anne Pankhurst.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- HH Galaxy
- 25-04-18
Amazing!
What a wonderful tribute to a remarkable person. Absolutely stunning. The descriptions were so beautiful, and painted such vivid pictures. I am humbled and enriched by hearing this book. Thank you Sarah and Sandra. Bless you both.
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- joanna hardiman
- 15-05-18
beautiful
was wary of the title of the book and also fascinated. it has touched me and is beautiful,harrowing,honest and a story of someone overcoming too much adversity a d how she copes with it.absolutely loved it.
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- Mrs F.
- 12-04-18
amazing!
A moving story, no - heart rending.- delivered with excellence by the narrator. Couldn't leave it
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