Nostalgia at sea: emma straub charts a course for fandom
Emma Straub, purveyor of charming narratives and owner of Brooklyn’s beloved Books Are Magic, has set sail into a decidedly more whimsical territory with her latest novel, American Fantasy. It's a story born from a late-night internet rabbit hole and a desire to escape the weight of recent grief—a journey that landed her, quite deliberately, on a New Kids on the Block cruise.
The unexpected muse: boy bands and bereavement
Straub’s inspiration for American Fantasy emerged from a particularly poignant moment. Following the loss of her father and the release of a more somber book, she sought a creative departure. “I was crying every day,” she admits, “and I wanted to write something really different.” The solution? A nostalgic dive into the world of 90s boy bands, specifically, the New Kids on the Block. What began as a curious online discovery—a cruise dedicated to the beloved group—became the surprising framework for her next literary endeavor.
But this wasn’t just a whimsical whim. Straub, known for her keen observational skills, emphasizes the importance of firsthand experience. “I went on the New Kids on the Block cruise for research, it was also for profound, deep, personal pleasure,” she explained in a recent interview with Vogue. Undeterred by the potential for awkward scrutiny, she opted to travel solo, a deliberate choice to “fade into the wallpaper as much as possible and just observe.”
More than just a cruise: exploring the power of nostalgia
The novel’s premise—a group confronting their past and anxieties amidst the manufactured joy of a celebrity cruise—resonates with a broader cultural phenomenon: the enduring power of nostalgia. Straub deftly explores why these childhood obsessions continue to hold such sway. “What was your boy band?” she playfully asks, prompting a reflection on the universal allure of adolescent passions – be it New Kids on the Block, Backstreet Boys, or even Laura Ingalls Wilder. The connection to our formative years, she posits, runs deep.
Balancing the demands of running a thriving bookstore with the creative process presented its own unique challenges. “My family got really sick of me talking about New Kids on the Block,” Straub laughs, acknowledging the immersive nature of her research. Thankfully, a capable staff at Books Are Magic allowed her to focus on the manuscript, transforming a peculiar fascination into a captivating novel.
American Fantasy isn't just about a cruise or a boy band; it's about reckoning with the past, embracing the unexpected, and finding solace in the shared experiences that define us. Straub’s latest offering proves that sometimes, the most profound narratives emerge from the most delightfully absurd places.