Clutch by Emily Nemen
What happens when the people who know you best also know exactly how to push your buttons? Emily Nemens’ Clutch is an insightful novel about friendship, motherhood, ambition and the complicated bonds that help us navigate life’s challenges.
The story begins with a long-awaited girls' weekend in Palm Springs. Gregg, Reba, Bella, Hillary and Carson have been friends since university, but now, approaching 40, they are scattered across America and juggling careers and families. Their reunion is meant to be a chance to unwind and reconnect. Instead, it marks the beginning of a few months that will test each woman and their friendship in unexpected ways.
The title, Clutch, works well on several levels. It reflects the strength of this friendship group, as well as the moments when everything feels a little fragile. Emily captures both the comfort of having people who know you inside out and the challenges that arise when lives take different directions. There is affection and loyalty here, but also jealousy, disappointment, misunderstanding and loneliness.
One of the novel’s strengths is the way Emily balances the personal and the political. Set in early 2023, the novel captures a particular moment in American life. Reproductive rights, workplace culture, ageing parents, social media, political division and the lingering effects of the pandemic all shape the lives of these women. These issues are woven naturally into the story, giving the novel a strong sense of time and place.
The five women are distinct and believable, each facing different pressures and aspirations. Some are questioning their careers, others are struggling with family responsibilities or relationships. As their stories unfold, the group chat that keeps them connected becomes almost a character in its own right. It reflects the reality of modern friendships, where support, advice and occasional frustration are often delivered through a screen. Emily writes with warmth, empathy and humour. She recognises that friendship is rarely straightforward and that even the strongest relationships require work.
Clutch captures both the joy of being known and accepted, while also acknowledging the tensions that arise when friends challenge each other’s choices. Clutch recognises that life rarely unfolds as we imagine in our 20s, but suggests that having people beside us through the twists and turns can make all the difference. For readers who enjoy contemporary fiction about friendship, family and the realities of modern womanhood.
Reviewer: Andrea Molloy
HarperCollins
