The Cleaners

In "The Cleaners," a thought-provoking short story by Ken Liu, two sisters face a pivotal choice about their past while navigating the everyday magic and complexities of memory. Gui, a professional cleaner devoid of personal memory, cleanses objects of their emotional burdens, while Clara, who feels the weight of the past, is challenged by their sister Beatrice’s sensitivity to memory. As the sisters confront their shared history, they explore the implications of what to remember or forget. Part of the "Faraway" collection, this tale invites listeners to engage with themes of memory and its transformative power.