Nostalgia, cruises, and new kids: emma straub's latest dive
Emma Straub, the author behind beloved novels and the proprietor of Brooklyn’s Books Are Magic, has charted a course to explore the peculiar intersection of nostalgia, fandom, and the surprisingly fertile ground of celebrity cruises. Her new novel, American Fantasy, isn't just a book; it’s a meticulously observed, deeply funny, and surprisingly poignant reflection on the enduring pull of the past—specifically, the 1980s boy band, New Kids on the Block.
A cruise inspired by grief and a decade's obsession
The genesis of American Fantasy is, as Straub reveals, rooted in a period of personal loss. Following the death of her father and the release of a particularly somber novel, she sought a creative counterpoint. “I was crying every day,” she confesses, “and I wanted to write something really different.” The answer, unexpectedly, arrived in the form of an advertisement for a New Kids on the Block cruise, a proposition that struck her as both absurd and utterly compelling.
But this wasn't a frivolous jaunt. Straub, keen to avoid the complexities of traveling with companions, embarked on the voyage solo, a deliberate choice to “fade into the wallpaper as much as possible and just observe.” It was a research mission, certainly, but also a deeply personal exploration—a pilgrimage to the heart of a childhood obsession. “I loved New Kids on the Block as a child,” she admits, “and maybe that was part of it too; maybe my deep fandom was partly unsatisfied because I didn’t see them as a child.”
The enduring power of boy band nostalgia
Straub's reflections on the pervasive hold of childhood nostalgia echo a broader cultural phenomenon. Why do these manufactured pop sensations retain such power decades after their initial reign? “Well, let me ask: What was your boy band?” she playfully challenges, before launching into a humorous anecdote about her mother’s surprising lack of awareness regarding New Kids on the Block’s presence in New York City during her youth. The question, however, reveals a deeper truth: for many, these bands represent a formative period, a soundtrack to adolescence, and a repository of shared memories.
Balancing the demands of running Books Are Magic with the creative process proved a challenge, but Straub credits her capable staff and supportive husband, allowing her to immerse herself in the world of NKOTB. “My family got really sick of me talking about New Kids on the Block,” she jokes, a testament to the book’s all-consuming nature.
American Fantasy arrives as a charming, self-aware evocation of a bygone era, a reminder that even the most seemingly frivolous pursuits can yield profound insights. It’s a testament to Straub’s ability to find the extraordinary within the ordinary—and to turn a New Kids on the Block cruise into a vehicle for exploring the complexities of grief, fandom, and the enduring power of nostalgia. The book's success, celebrated with a free croissant and matcha, is a fitting reward for a writer who has once again proven her knack for capturing the human heart.