CLEANNESS By Garth Greenwell Wisely, Greenwell has returned to the same setting that made his debut novel What Belongs To You so distinctive: Sofia, Bulgaria. It’s a country that rarely makes the news and many would be vague about its geographic location. Part of the appeal of both books is that we see a city and country through the author’s eyes.
It’s a country where attitudes towards LGBTI people are not very evolved. In one story, the narrator takes part in a political protest through Sofia. A small number of LGBTI friends also protest and identify themselves with rainbow flags. They are attacked by their fellow marchers for being gay. In another story, reference is made to a priest who advocated throwing rocks at gay people.