Ever been in a book discussion where you give insights you hadn’t even considered? This was the case after discussing the short story, “I Cleaned The,” with the AIFA University Book Club.
On Friday, February 11, 2022, AIFA Book Club held a joint book club session for the University of Ibadan and University of Lagos students on the short story, “I cleaned the” by Kanya D’Almeida. The discussants touched on themes ranging from classism to the treatment of domestic workers and persons with disabilities.
Commencing the icebreakers, Ivan Bekaren read the short story ‘I Cleaned The -’ by Kanya D’Almeida, which won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2021. The story follows the unnamed narrator as she recounts her life as a domestic worker for a rich family, Ronnie Mahatthaya and Lila Missy, and how she becomes their disabled child’s (Chooti Baba) sole caretaker till her death. The narrator tells this harrowing backstory to Rita, her roommate in an infirmary for Colombo’s shunned women. D’Almeida travels between the past and the present as the narrator describes the close bond, she built with Chooti Baba (the disabled child) while also nursing Rita, a tobacco addict. Rita eventually dies and the narrator, having nothing left, looks at what the future holds for her.
Ijeoma Ezenwere, the Society’s Programme Coordinator adding to the discussion, expressed her love for a part of the story that highlighted Rita’s approach to life even in her last days on earth, “Rita lived and enjoyed life despite her illness and wasn’t going to allow her pain to drive her to moodiness. She sought ways to enjoy the moment and for me, this teaches me to enjoy every moment I have either with friends or family.” Other book club members agreed to Ijeoma’s submission on living one’s life to the fullest.
Further deliberating on the author’s phrase, “you can learn everything about a person based entirely on their discards. Mood, temperament, health, it’s all there”, Ivan, participant from University of Lagos, opined that biologically, one can detect a person’s health history through the waste products they pass out. Ivan also added that it is possible to know someone’s history through their reaction to issues.
The club members also touched on the themes reflected in the story and at the end of the session, expressed eagerness to attend future book club sessions. This is one of AIFA’s goals, to raise more readers in the society.
