contemporary fiction
It was easy to get into Emma Straub's novel about Annie, a recently divorced woman on a theme cruise with a few thousand of her closest friends as they spend four days celebrating their love of a boy band from the 90s. After Annie's sister breaks her leg, Annie is forced to room with a stranger on the cruise or forfeit her money, so she goes on the solo adventure she didn't know she needed.
In American Fantasy, we see the cruise from several perspectives. Annie's of course, but also Sarah’s, a production manager who is responsible for ensuring the band is happy and that the guests are enjoying themselves and following the rules, and Keith’s, one of the members of the band, Boy Talk.
I found it interesting to see the cruise from so many different points of view - the fans who want to see their teenage dreams of spending time with the band come true, the band members who have a variety of reasons for setting sail with their fans and, of course, the production company putting it all together. Who, exactly, is living the fantasy?
There is humor, heart and introspection in the pages of American Fantasy and I enjoyed all of it. I definitely think this is a book that is probably going to be enjoyed more by those who know what it's like to want to revisit their younger years or are trying to figure out who they are going to be in their next chapter.
Marin Ireland narrated the audiobook and as always, did a marvelous job. I always enjoy listening to audiobooks when she's behind the mic.
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