Cleanness

In Garth Greenwell's highly anticipated follow-up to 'What Belongs to You,' 'Cleanness' delves into the intricate life of an American teacher living in Sofia, Bulgaria. Against a backdrop of crumbling Soviet architecture, political unrest, and the windswept beauty of a landlocked city, the protagonist navigates a profoundly transformative period marked by both the discovery and loss of love. As he contemplates his imminent departure from the city he has come to call home, he revisits a series of intimate encounters that have indelibly shaped his years abroad. These include a queer student's confession that echoes his own first love, a stranger's seduction that descends into paternalistic sadism, and a romance with another foreigner that opens and subsequently heals old wounds. Through these deeply personal and often unsettling experiences, Greenwell meticulously explores themes of foreignness, obligation, desire, and the profound human need for connection—not just with others and the places we inhabit, but also with our own elusive, evolving selves. The novel expands upon the world of his acclaimed debut, offering startling insights into the complexities of identity and memory.