Clean

by Michele Kirsch

A remarkable powerful memoir in which cleaning and getting clean intertwine as a strange and magical form of redemption.

Genres: Nonfiction

286 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 2019

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent hard-lived tale of a woman’s descent into drug and alcohol dependency and coming out the other side. Some really good writing here, including some sentences I just had to read over a few times because they were so delicious. I feel a bit more like I understand the addictive mentality now that I’ve read it. Recommend!

[Suzanne Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, loved this book! Insightful, harrowing and hilarious. Compulsively readable and engaging. Meditation and autobiography on getting clean - by cleaning houses and getting sober. Moving insights into motherhood, work and emotional chaos of addiction. Highly recommend.

[Anna Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a very well written, and frank account of her life and addictions. I never once felt that Michele was looking for sympathy. She was aware of what she was doing, she seemed to be searching for the 'Why'. It is sad when she walks away from her children to get help eventually. Her 2nd husband and Father of her children, seemed very grounded and brought their children up. I hope Michele can find some peace, and hopefully some kind of relationship with her 2 now grown up kids. I cannot fully understand what brought Michele to the stage she reached, other than her addiction to Valium. I wondered if perhaps there was something more deep seated, that she has totally blocked out which caused her addictions. I wish her well for the future. I would recommend this book as 100% good read.

[Theres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kirsch talks about her descent into and reascent from addiction. About every other chapter is also an anecdote from her cleaning job. I ended up reading this all in one day - very gripping and occasionally very very funny!

[Emma Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Thoroughly enjoyed. So much truth in her musings of addiction. The experience of our younger selves can damage us so much until we recognise we need help and that we are a soul worth saving

[Nick Watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant heartbreaking but heart rendering read

This amazing autobiography made me realise that my life really hadn’t been that bad. It’s also proof positive that drugs (and the booze) don’t work. Thank heaven’s she’s come out the other side.

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very intelligent and well written account of the author’s addiction. You don’t feel she is looking for any sympathy or explanation. It is just told as it is with great honesty and humour. A really refreshing read.

[Alison Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an unsettling read. Compelling, but boy did I find the author unlikable.

I'm interested to see if this one will stick with me. I think it might.

[Paul Hansbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to read it again.

[Grace Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent raw memoirs , moving and amusing , without self pity or misery. A story showing how easy it is to fall down the cracks , but then be clean of the dirt.

[AR Devine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wry, witty, laugh out loud funny and at times sad. My favourite read of 2019 and one of the best memoirs Ive read in years.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a moving, witty and memorable account. Loved this book and the way it captured the love hate nature of London and how we are all prey to its vicissitudes, temptations and despair.