Emma Straub's Novel 'American Fantasy' Explores Boy-Band Nostalgia and Personal Loss
Emma Straub's latest novel 'American Fantasy' draws inspiration from her childhood obsession with New Kids on the Block and a 2023 research cruise. The Brooklyn-based author and bookstore owner wrote the book following her father's death in 2022, seeking to create something different from her previous work. Straub attended a New Kids on the Block cruise alone to observe interactions without being perceived. She balances writing with running Books Are Magic, relying on her husband and capable staff. The novel explores themes of nostalgia and fandom, joining a literary tradition of cruise narratives that includes David Foster Wallace's 1997 essay collection and Lauren Oyler's 2023 account. Vogue interviewed Straub about her publication day celebrations, which included free matcha and croissants from her local coffee shop.
Key facts
- Emma Straub published 'American Fantasy' in 2024
- The novel was inspired by New Kids on the Block and a 2023 cruise
- Straub's father died in 2022, prompting her to write something different
- She attended a New Kids on the Block cruise alone for research
- Straub owns and operates Books Are Magic bookstore in Brooklyn
- Her husband helps run the bookstore while she writes
- David Foster Wallace's 1997 essay collection 'A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again' features cruise writing
- Lauren Oyler wrote about a Goop cruise in 2023
Entities
Artists
- Emma Straub
- David Foster Wallace
- Lauren Oyler
Institutions
- Vogue
- Books Are Magic
- New Kids on the Block
- Goop
Locations
- Brooklyn
- New York City
- New York