JORIS MERTENS
Thanks to my parents (for everything), also to Ann Jossart, Johan Stuyck, Reynold Leclercq, Maurice Lomré, Pollie & Philippe, Martini & Kurt, Frank Van Passel, Bart Schoofs, Nadia Gibert, Anthony Simon.
Thanks to my parents (for everything), also to Ann Jossart, Johan Stuyck, Reynold Leclercq, Maurice Lomré, Pollie & Philippe, Martini & Kurt, Frank Van Passel, Bart Schoofs, Nadia Gibert, Anthony Simon. 1
Jonathan Cape, an imprint of Vintage, is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies Vintage, One Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens, London SW11 7BW
Jonathan Cape, an imprint of Vintage, is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies Vintage, One Embassy Gardens, 8 Viaduct Gardens, London SW11 7BW
First published in Great Britain by Jonathan Cape in 2025 First published as Bleekwater in Belgium by Oogachtend and Joris Mertens in 2022
First published in Great Britain by Jonathan Cape in 2025
Original title: Nettoyage à sec by Joris Mertens © 2022, Rue de Sèvres, Paris
First published as Bleekwater in Belgium by Oogachtend and Joris Mertens in 2022
Copyright © Joris Mertens 2022
Copyright © Joris Mertens 2022
Translation copyright © Julia Blackburn and Sandra van Beek
Joris Mertens has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this Work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
Joris Mertens has asserted his right to be identified as the author of this Work in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
Dry Cleaned was published with the support of Literature Flanders, from which the author received a working grant
Dry Cleaned was published with the support of Literature Flanders, from which the author received a working grant
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No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner for the purpose of training artificial intelligence technologies or systems. In accordance with Article 4(3) of the DSM Directive 2019/790, Penguin Random House expressly reserves this work from the text and data mining exception. penguin.co.uk/vintage global.penguinrandomhouse.co.uk
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A.
Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A.
The authorised representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68
The authorised representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
HB ISBN 9781787334816
HB ISBN 9781787334816
Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.
Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.
