The Trauma Cleaner
Ratings16
Average rating3.7
15
Ratings16
Average rating3.7
"Before she was a trauma cleaner, Sandra Pankhurst was many things: husband and father, drag queen, gender reassignment patient, sex worker, small businesswoman, trophy wife. . . But as a little boy, raised in violence and excluded from the family home, she just wanted to belong. Now she believes her clients deserve no less. A woman who sleeps among garbage she has not put out for forty years. A man who bled quietly to death in his living room. A woman who lives with rats, random debris and terrified delusion. The still life of a home vacated by accidental overdose. Sarah Krasnostein has watched the extraordinary Sandra Pankhurst bring order and care to these, the living and the dead--and the book she has written is equally extraordinary. Not just the compelling story of a fascinating life among lives of desperation, but an affirmation that, as isolated as we may feel, we are all in this together."--Jacket flap.
Reviews with the most likes.
A good read, but to be honest, I was looking for the story of running a trauma cleaning business, not necessarily the history of the woman who runs it. We spend at least every other chapter going through this woman's story, and while it's an incredible life...I don't really care that much. This is more of a biography than about the business she runs, and I feel it's a bit disingenuous to not say that.
This story found within the pages of THE TRAUMA CLEANER One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay, and Disaster was unexpected. I find myself a bit mislead because I wanted this to be about a woman who cleaned up messes and made it easier to cope and move on from the traumatic event of Death what I got was a book about a woman who transitions from being a man to a woman. When I start off my review and say I feel mislead I so not wish anyone to think I am disappointed this is still a three-star read. I find Sandra's candor refreshing. While helping people deal with there lives and delimas we get a glimpse of who Sandra was and who she wanted to be. If you take anything away from this book I hope that acceptance and self-awareness is what you get. The strength that is depicted in these pages is not something to take lightly. I am so glad to live in a day and age where I can say that people need to do what makes them feel like the best versions of themselves and not give into what society wants them to be. Sarah Krasnostein is very courageous in telling Sandra's story just as Sandra is amazing for opening up and being herself regardless of the rough road. Rhank you netgalley and all parties for my arc.
The Trauma Cleaner tells the story of Sandra Pankhurst, who runs a company that handles cleaning for traumatic circumstances such as death and hoarding. This biographical narrative alternates between sharing these cleaning experiences and relating Sandra's tumultuous journey to her present career. From an abusive childhood as an adopted boy, to achieving her true identity with sex reassignment surgery, to leaving sex work behind and finding success in several careers, Sandra has had a truly unique life. While it is tough to read about some of the awful experiences Sandra has endured, what shines through is her incredible resilience and the positive impact she has had on others. The narrative is a bit confusing at times, but is an interesting read nonetheless.
4/4.5. A powerful biography of Sandra Pankhurst's life. What an incredible woman and what an incredible story. Thank you to Sarah for sharing this poignant and moving story with the world.
