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The Trauma Cleaner
- Narrated by: Rachael Tidd
- Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Biographies & Memoirs, Women
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Editorial 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, which won the Australian Prize for Literature in 2018, 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.
Sandra's extraordinary, ordinary life
Watch an interview with Sandra, accompanied by photos from throughout her lifePublisher's 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.
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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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- Stephanie
- 23-04-2018
Heartbreaking from every view. A lesson in empathy
If you could sum up The Trauma Cleaner in three words, what would they be?
upsetting. beautifully told
What other book might you compare The Trauma Cleaner to, and why?
Not sure. Im not a big reader. just getting back into it now.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
Every scene in a new clients home
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
A lesson in empathy
31 people found this helpful
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- Skye Doyle
- 30-05-2018
not what I expected
I thought this book was going to bed about trauma cleaning but it was more about the woman behind the business. Such an inspirational story.
18 people found this helpful
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- Philip
- 19-04-2018
A brilliant narrative masterly voiced
This is Sarah's Krasnostein’s amazing recounting of another's life and life experiences. What beautifully crafted writing. What a painful, sometimes horrifying, yet ultimately redemptive narrative.
At a point, close to the book's end, at which Sarah injects herself into the story—as she does, unobtrusively, at a few points—what she recounts resonates with me; as a father of a young woman who daily deals with her own demons, and as a person who lives with a low buzz of masked anxiety and has done for decades. Yet it is not this individual resonance that makes me absolutely love this book; it is that Sandra's story—Krasnostein's narrative—takes in such a sweep of Australian social history focussed through the lens of one person, achieving the remarkable in talking directly to many about how things have changed and how they could change some more. And then there are the tiny focused seconds that tell the story of forever.
Reading The Trauma Cleaner will reveal readers to themselves as much as revealing Sandra Pankhurst and Sarah Krasnostein and the numbers of other brilliantly drawn characters. I tead The Trauma Cleaner as an audiobook—it came up as a recommendation in Audible, which I use so as to keep up my reading and not to waste time—ironically—listening to the blather of talkback or the repetitive drone of newsradio, while driving. Rachael Tidd's voicing is simply par excellence—she takes the author's capture of the inimitable Australian vernacular, peppered as it often is with expletives and antipodean aphorisms, and truly brings it alive; the voicing of each of the characters, the redoubtable Pankhurst most particularly, shows a remarkable ear for casting voice talent and capacity for performance.
Before there was binge watching and binge listening, there were books that were unputdownable; this is one of them. It shows us that good writing and the book ain't dead yet. I continually shuffle and reshuffle my top 10 books—The Trauma Cleaner has immediately elected itself to that exclusive pantheon and it won't be dropping out. Read it; you must read it.
A little quote that I like: "What's the difference between a private library and a book hoarder?" wonders Sarah's father. Sarah and he muse on this for a second and then simultaneously posit "Faeces". I leave you with that tantalising tit bit.
52 people found this helpful
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- Roy
- 08-09-2018
Not as advertised
I was expecting an in depth account of crime scene cleanup, and instead got the (albeit amazing) life story of transexual as told by her number one fan-girl. The accounts of actual trauma clean up are pretty much back to back hoarder stories.
Most damaging to the book's credibility is the author's blatant and biased adoration of the protagonist.
Kudos to Rachael Tidd for some decent narration.
6 people found this helpful
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- Creatingorder
- 11-04-2018
Fascinating story
A fascinating story, written sensitively and evocative imagery, and narrated well so that each voice is immediately recognisable.
29 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 30-10-2019
Interesting but I wasn’t engaged by the writing style
Overall the story could’ve been really engaging but It was filled with airy descriptions of the authors impressions rather than just telling the story. I really thought about giving up but listened to it all. During the last chapter I found I completely lost interest and was looking forward to moving on.
4 people found this helpful
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- Giulia
- 05-07-2018
I don't know why this grated on me
I'm not sure if it was the writing style or the delivery that I struggled with but something about this was very off-putting for me. The story itself is very interesting but I did not enjoy the way it was told
22 people found this helpful
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- Suzan
- 17-04-2018
The Trauma Cleaner
Sarah brought back the memories of Sandra’s indomitable spirit and gritty humour back in floods, I cried and empathised with little boy on the outside looking in his family, chuckle d with memories of 70s clubs where I worked on upper and lower esplanade, and of course working as a trauma cleaner with the hardest taskmaster and trainer who drilled into me ‘Excellence Is No Accident ‘ a training that was to change my life more than I could have possible known then . Unique style of writing that brought Sandra to life with each chapter .
11 people found this helpful
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- The Quiet Reader
- 13-05-2018
Both absorbing and distracting
Firstly, the narrator was very good and easy to listen. However, the story or stories both fascinated and disappointed. At times, I found it difficult to follow, bouncing around from one life incident to another. It is at times preaching and then at other times a deeply compassionate look at the actions of its subject. Bewildering is another word I'd ascribe to this book. Possibly, a pruning edit might have kept the book more taut. I'd certainly would have liked more on the 'trauma' side and perhaps less on the 'personal' side, though of course what occurred in the personal side much effected the trauma side. I feel there is enough for an additional book that deals with this book's title without the personal narrative. The book may have been better served if divided up into separate distinct parts without the constant overlap. This is not to diminish, of course, that this is a life journey of endurance and verve that most of us would find impossible to cope with let alone try to understand. One of the more unusual books I have come across and certainly recommended, though not for every reader's taste I suspect.
14 people found this helpful
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- Jane
- 15-11-2019
a must read
This was a book about humanity, the horrific upbringing and the most beautiful hearted woman she has became.
2 people found this helpful
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- Amanda
- 03-10-2018
An Outstanding Read
I don't think I've ever read a book that has evoked so many different emotions. An absolutely brilliant read from the beginning right through to the end and I still can't stop thinking about it several books later.
1 person found this helpful
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- Brendan
- 15-05-2022
The most extraordinary biography you'll ever read
Sandra's life story is beyond incredible - truly a must-listen. The descriptions and detailing are mostly overwritten, the only thing that detracts from the book. Quite irritating after a while, and a bit wanky.
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- Avery Wade
- 30-03-2022
Not what I expected
I was hoping for a really deep dive into crime scene cleaning, not endless chapters about the protagonist’s background or how she came to be doing the work she’s doing. In addition, there was precious little of anything related to true crime scene work.
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- Anonymous User
- 11-10-2021
Heartwarming and gut wrenching in equal measure
And extraordinary story about an extraordinary life. Sensitively written and narrated. Highly memorable and deeply moving.
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- Pauline Holden
- 02-09-2021
Story to learn from.
A most beautifully written story. The author's captivating and empathetic account of a tragic set of circumstances that is someone's life. Captivating.
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- Michelle Procter
- 04-05-2021
Indescribable & Perfectly written
An amazingly well written recount of a life that is more valuable and lived than most. A woman who has experienced beyond what most can imagine, yet to say she picks herself up is wrong, as she doesn't tumble down.
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- Anonymous User
- 14-05-2020
brilliant story
well written, beautifully spoken. I was emotionally involved and couldn't put it down. highly recommend!
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- Vanessa
- 10-04-2020
Interesting ... thought consuming !
Brilliantly narrated! A book with a difference. A book sharing a world so unlike mine. it was both compelling and dreadfully sad but with so much hope for the future. in her own way Sandra was a wonderful role model of being driven to achieve her goals ! It took me 9 months to read this book. i would listen... I would think ... and be so personally wounded by the hurt and sadness of this womens life. Brilliantly wrritten ... an amazing author! Congratulations 💐
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- Michelle
- 14-01-2020
Recommended
The book reads like a long form love letter to Sandra. The language is lush and evocative, I kept finding myself turning the author’s phrases over in my mind. Simply wonderful.
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- Pauline Ballard
- 21-11-2019
A bit slow and repetitive but an important topic
I must admit that, even though the topic is current and very important, I struggled to listen to the whole story and skipped a few chapters
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- Bee
- 31-03-2018
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.
40 people found this helpful
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- Mrs. Lisa J. Goldblatt
- 02-04-2018
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.
40 people found this helpful
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- Tamagochi
- 16-05-2018
Great promise underdelivered
This book has a great promise - biography of a transgendered person, employed in an exotic industry, located in Australia. Just think of of all the unique experience and insights she must have had throughout her life and could share with the reader. While we do get sizeable bits of this and that, the pieces never seem to connect into complete picture and I was left rather disappointed with the story.
There are several noticeable problems with it. One is stated right away: Sandra is unreliable narrator. Her memory is full of holes, incomplete fragments and some of her recollections can be pure fiction. It has probably been partly mitigated by documents and interviews with other people, but I could not shake the feeling that parts came straight from author's own imagination. Like the scene when Sandra asked for permission to marry her future wife, told with excruciating emotional details yet a minute later admitted probably had never happened.
Another letdown was author's obvious infatuation with the subject of this book. We're told again and again how she adores Sandra and everything she does. Thus we get a very idealized version of a person. The reader is never presented with alternate points of view: of Sandra's children, co-workers and friends for example. Even more annoyingly, author is very keen on justifying all of Sandra's actions and denies her personal responsibility. This made me cringe at times.
A final note is on the narrator. Her voice was too timid, constantly on the verge of bursting into tears and did not reflect Sandra's bold personality well. Some chapters were overly dramatized and were rather distracting. Overall I did not feel a connection with the characters.
58 people found this helpful
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- Eddie
- 07-10-2018
Wanders all over the place
Interesting but it jumps all over the place and at times you're not sure if it's on about the author or one of the authors clients.
13 people found this helpful
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- Michael Maher
- 08-05-2018
Narrator's voice really grated on me
Excellent human interest story but I gave up half way through as I couldn't abide the narrator- sorry
6 people found this helpful
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- Anna Williams
- 07-05-2018
Pure Beauty
I found the writing of the story exceptional. Sandra the centre of everything but other stories weaved in of the past present and future with such clear connections. Sandra is an inspiration, bold and beautiful, mixed with pain and vulnerability. The narrator of the story really amplifies how well the book was written. I can't put my finger on it, I think it was the fact that changes in the narrative were not accent changes. Instead, there are slight changes in tone that give the narrative a life of its own. I liked that there were not too many cliches or inspirational quotes. Instead, there are some extremely powerful points at the end of the book. The book offers a deep layered reflection. This reflection makes it stand out from other books of similar nature. The descriptive narrative was unique and original. Overall it was simply beautiful. The writer made me want to know Sandra. In actual fact, I could feel as though I was there with Sandra wherever she was. Incredible.
5 people found this helpful
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- SERA Bluefalcon
- 14-07-2020
completely compelling
absolutely amazing story and a deep heartfelt experience. worth every moment and learnt so much about another's point of view.
3 people found this helpful
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- cumbriana
- 02-01-2020
Grim tale
It wasn't what I expected. I found it a grim tale and gave up after an hour.
3 people found this helpful
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- AS
- 19-04-2018
An exquisit lesson in humanity
If you could sum up The Trauma Cleaner in three words, what would they be?
exquisite, touching, human
What was one of the most memorable moments of The Trauma Cleaner?
The Trauma Cleaner s a story of an extraordinary woman and her extraordinary journey through life. A lesson of perseverance and fight for identity and self-worth. A story of being lost and finding yourself through toughest of times. A real lesson in humanity though by the strangest of characters that there could be.
What about Rachael Tidd’s performance did you like?
The performance is deeply moving and artistic contributing to the narration.
3 people found this helpful
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- Zozi
- 16-05-2018
Not as expected
Not enough trauma
cleaning.... more of a biography - should be called the life of Sandra Pankhurst
14 people found this helpful
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