Scan barcode
oxidized_copper's review against another edition
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
3.0
Sandra led an extraordinary life and i’m so glad I know her story.
This book would’ve benefited from more editing. The pacing is clunky for the first half and then improves the last third. I understand there were struggles with memory loss (bc the author thoroughly explains 5+ times) but the author inserts her opinions, self, and psychological analysis of people a great deal. More emphasis on facts would’ve been appreciated.
note: the transparency with the memory loss is important and appreciated. I just didn’t need a full page each time, rather a quick note.
This book would’ve benefited from more editing. The pacing is clunky for the first half and then improves the last third. I understand there were struggles with memory loss (bc the author thoroughly explains 5+ times) but the author inserts her opinions, self, and psychological analysis of people a great deal. More emphasis on facts would’ve been appreciated.
note: the transparency with the memory loss is important and appreciated. I just didn’t need a full page each time, rather a quick note.
jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
4.0
I hope I don't need a trauma cleaner in life or in death but if I do I hope I get one like Sandra Pankhurst. This is a unique Australian memoir; one where the author subtly inserts herself into the telling of a life not her own. Sandra is and has been so many things: trans, father, step-mother, husband, drag queen, sex worker, wife, businesswoman. She has experienced horrendous violence and many traumas and she has inflicted trauma on others, namely her wife and children. It can be hard to reconcile but this book beautifully explores the complexity of Sandra's life as well as the lives of some of her trauma cleaning clients.
heidilreads's review against another edition
3.0
I think the title is misleading... The main character's life is more than one of her occupations.
alma_g's review against another edition
1.0
DNF. I purchased this book to read about trauma cleaner, not about the sad and abusive childhood of the trauma cleaner that the author states repeatedly has memory issues. Had this been made clear I wouldn’t have bought the book as biographies and especially sad ones are not my thing. This book was less trauma cleaner and more sad and misunderstood life which is not why I bought it. Got about half way through and gave up. This could have been such a great book.