American Fantasy
A Novel
Book • 2026
Emma Straub's 'American Fantasy' follows the comedic and chaotic events of a four-day cruise populated by a once-famous 1990s boy band and thousands of devoted, now-middle-aged fans.
The novel explores fandom, nostalgia, and the messy personal lives of performers and attendees as tensions and revelations unfold at sea.
Straub blends sharp humor with empathy, examining how fame and memory shape relationships and identity.
With her characteristic warm, observant prose, she captures the absurdities of modern celebrity culture and the intimate heartbreaks beneath public personas.
The book was promoted as a highly anticipated release and reflects Straub's continued interest in contemporary character-driven fiction.
The novel explores fandom, nostalgia, and the messy personal lives of performers and attendees as tensions and revelations unfold at sea.
Straub blends sharp humor with empathy, examining how fame and memory shape relationships and identity.
With her characteristic warm, observant prose, she captures the absurdities of modern celebrity culture and the intimate heartbreaks beneath public personas.
The book was promoted as a highly anticipated release and reflects Straub's continued interest in contemporary character-driven fiction.
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Dan Bova
Emma Straub
Snack Break: Novelist Emma Straub
