Pretend I'm Dead

Mona is a 24-year-old house cleaner in Massachusetts who forms an unlikely bond with Mr. Disgusting, a middle-aged drug addict she meets while volunteering at a needle exchange program. After their relationship ends, she relocates to New Mexico for a fresh start, continuing her work cleaning homes. In Taos, Mona encounters an array of complex characters through her housekeeping business. She develops relationships with her eccentric clients while navigating her own past trauma and searching for stability in her new surroundings. Through sharp humor and unflinching observation, Pretend I'm Dead explores themes of identity, belonging, and the universal desire for human connection. The novel examines how people's private spaces reveal truths about their lives, and how cleaning others' messes can sometimes help clean up one's own.

Readers note the raw, unflinching humor and authenticity in Beagin's portrayal of a cleaning lady navigating relationships and self-discovery. Readers appreciated: - Sharp, dark comedy that doesn't feel forced - Vivid descriptions of cleaning work - Complex characters, especially the protagonist Mona - Realistic portrayal of addiction and trauma Common criticisms: - Plot meanders without clear direction - Second half loses momentum - Some found the humor too crude - Characters' decisions can feel frustrating Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (230+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "Like spending time with your most interesting friend who also happens to be a mess" - Goodreads review "The narrator's voice is perfect but the story goes nowhere" - Amazon review "Unforgettable characters but needed more plot structure" - LibraryThing review

Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh This portrait of a woman's isolation and self-destructive patterns in small-town New England presents the same unflinching examination of life's darker corners found in Beagin's work.

My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh A woman's quest to sleep for a year reveals the same sardonic perspective on modern life and psychological struggles that characterizes Pretend I'm Dead.

The New Me by Halle Butler The story follows a temp worker in Chicago whose inner monologue and observations mirror the raw honesty and dark humor of Beagin's protagonist.

Cleaning Up New York by Bob Rosenthal This memoir of working as a house cleaner in 1970s New York City shares the gritty authenticity and insight into the intimate spaces of strangers' homes.

The Idiot by Elif Batuman The protagonist's deadpan observations and outsider perspective on life's absurdities align with the tone and sensibility of Pretend I'm Dead.

🧹 The character of Mona was partly inspired by Beagin's own experiences working as a house cleaner for over 25 years. 🏆 The novel won the 2017 Whiting Award in Fiction, a prestigious honor that recognizes emerging writers showing exceptional talent and promise. 🎨 The book's New Mexico sections draw from Beagin's time living in Taos, where she was an artist-in-residence at the Wurlitzer Foundation. 📚 Originally written as separate short stories, the pieces were woven together into a novel at the suggestion of Beagin's literary agent. 🌟 The book has been praised for its unique approach to discussing class dynamics in America, particularly through its intimate portrayal of domestic spaces and the relationship between cleaners and clients.