Clare's Boutique: Three Stories and One Essay

By Eric Giroux

"This author has talent to burn." -- Publishers Weekly

In three heartfelt new stories, award-winning author Eric Giroux introduces Clare Renault, suburban-white-boy rap fan nonpareil. Funny and poignant, the stories trace Clare's growth to young adulthood in the Greater Lowell, Massachusetts, of the eighties and nineties--rap's golden age.

"Ice Time"

A winter's journey takes a harrowing turn for Clare and Jack, former best friends.

"Hamburger Hill"

Eighth graders Clare and Sanjay grapple with a painful secret at the dawn of gangsta rap.

"Stickup"

Home from college, Clare opens a used record store, mourns his father, and weighs his future.

"Novels as Albums (And Albums that Influenced My Novels)"

An affectionate personal essay about the music that shaped Giroux's novels, Zodiac Pets and Ring On Deli.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1734224088
• ISBN13: 9781734224085
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: New Salem Books
• Length: 66 Pages
• Weight: 0.21 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.0" x 8.0"