Emma Staub's AMERICAN FANTASY-Is a Fiasco from the Get Go

Emma Staub is an American author in her mid 40s who is touted as a voice for middle aged women. In her latest novel, AMERICAN FANTASY has garnered a lot of good buzz as being a beacon for older women's fantastical fantasies of rejuvenation on a mini-vacation featuring the heartthrob rock band of their youths.  This benign if not jovial premise quickly sinks off-shore.  Annie agreed to go with her younger sister on this short cruise following her recent divorce as an opportunity to recharge.  The cruise features the favorite rock group from their youth and the chance for their fans known as "The Talkers" to co-mingle with the band members who are also in their 40s and 50s.  "Human connection-the hole weekend was supposed to provide. It was to give the middle-aged women the vacation they always dreamed of, with the boys they'd always dreamed of." Sadly, Annie's sister broke her leg leaving Annie adrift; to sail solo.  Not a huge fan of either the rock group Boy Talk or cruises, Annie is game anyway for a getaway that's already  paid for. Annie's roommate, Maira is an old pro on board. Knowing all the ropes, Maira steers Annie affably around the ship. The story's setup seemed benign if not lighthearted. But, truth be told, the 50 somethings with extra skin folds and flabby limbs, dressed in prom outfits or peignoirs for pajama party night were pathetic. Annie, along with the other women on board were seeking a break from their bored, mundane lives and and an escape back to a time in their prime.  So too are the aging boy band members whose heyday has passed and are looking for more pay days using their glory days.  The combustible combination of tensions amidst the bandmates and calculating competition among the women to grab the attention of the bandmates becomes grating. Annie's unassuming demeanor wins her notice from Keith in the band who is struggling with his brother also in the band  Keith was dealing with strains in his marriage and finding meaning in his life. Annie/Keith's happenstance heart-to-heart and lingering farewell kiss on are enough to make everyone on board seasick. Sarah, the managing director on board has numerous knots to secure and plenty of problems to unravel to keep things running smoothly. However none of these tales of behind the scenes or aging in a youth conscious society sustain wind.  Instead, everyone and everything feels shallow. The intended depth falls fathoms short of any profundity. And, its anchoring message didn't proffer an insight of any heft.  "Annie didn't know what was going to come next, and neither did The Talkers, for all their theories and message boards.  There were no guarantees in life. Annie knew that now.  She hadn't when she was younger."  The cruise was mired in a morass of whining and yearning for years since passed.  Don't bother signing up for this tedious journey that is neither titillating, entertaining or clever.  You'll just be stuck in the doldrums.