Emma Straub is the New York Times bestselling author of four novels, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures, All Adults Here and the short story collection Other People We Married. Her books have been published in twenty countries. She and her husband own Books Are Magic, an independent bookstore in Brooklyn, New York.
Hugely talented ... if you are looking for some intelligent holiday reading then this is the book for you -- BBC 4 Woman's Hour Straub writes with such verve and sympathetic understanding of her characters ... Reading this novel has all the pleasures of reading one of Anne Tyler's compelling family portraits The New York Times [Modern Lovers] has the smart, cool sensibility of Straub's other novels, and you're sure to love this one just as much Elle A funny and insightful look at love and relationships Good Housekeeping A lovely, satisfying early-summer read EW.com Straub's novel might be set in well-trod modern literary territory (the parenting world of brownstone Brooklyn), but what she does with this familiar milieu is smart and fresh, offering new insights into the lives of people all around us Brooklyn Magazine Thoughtful and hilarious, Modern Lovers proves growing up doesn't stop in adulthood Real Simple [Straub] sets her observational wit on three middle-aged friends (former college bandmates) who find themselves in a crisis of identity as their now-grown children head off to college themselves Huffington Post What happens when you age out of your cool? It's a topic that filmmaker Noah Baumbach has explored, and Straub is his literary counterpart... With the multigenerational structure, it would be easy to compare Straub to other masters of the genre like Meg Wolitzer or Jennifer Egan, but she's already a master in her own right after The Vacationers, so Modern Lovers should prove to be a witty romp The Millions Wise and often hilarious, Modern Lovers is a testament to how the passions and secrets of our youth can last well into adulthood Buzzfeed [Straub is] a precise and observant writer whose supple prose carries the story along without a snag. Straub's characters are a quirky and interesting bunch... it's a pleasure spending time with them Kirkus (starred review) Straub spins her lighthearted but psychologically perceptive narrative with a sure touch as she captures the vibes of midlife, middle-class angst and the raging hormones of youth... Readers will devour this witty and warmly satisfying novel Publishers Weekly (starred review) Devilishly observed Booklist (starred review) Sprinkled with humour and insight, this is a Brooklyn novel with heart Library Journal (starred review) Emma Straub is consistently excellent Book Riot Emma Straub is quickly making a name for herself as an author who can deftly toe the line between literary and popular writing-her books are easy to breeze through, but there's also food for thought for the discerning reader Bookpage Praise for The Vacationers - Now this is what I call good holiday reading. Straub writes beautifully and amusingly ... hard to beat for sheer charm and gentle wit Daily Mail Emma Straub puts the fun back in dysfunction San Francisco Chronicle There's nothing more addictive than a darkly funny dysfunctional domestic drama. Straub's novel-set during a fraught family vacation in Mallorca-is pretty much the perfect beach read -- Entertainment Weekly Charming and absorbing, this is a novel that demands to be read in long, satisfying gulps -- Maggie Shipstead, author of Seating Arrangements Emma Straub is a magician, full of brilliance and surprise -- Lorrie Moore, author of Bark A gorgeous and witty storyteller -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray Love Witty and big-hearted ... leaves you smiling for days -- Maria Semple, author of Where'd You Go, Bernadette For those unable to jet off to a Spanish island this summer, reading The Vacationers may be the next-best thing... [A] gorgeously written novel ... When I turned the last page, I felt as I often do when a vacation is over: grateful for the trip and mourning its end The New York Times Book Review Delicious ... richly riveting ... The Vacationers offers all the delights of a fluffy, read-it-with-sunglasses-on-the-beach read, made substantial by the exceptional wit, insight, intelligence and talents of its author People (four stars) I loved The Vacationers; funny and poignant and beautifully observed -- Jojo Moyes, author of Me Before You Straub's novel is cast from the same mould as the likes of Liza Klaussmann's Tigers in Red Weather and Maggie Shipstead's Seating Arrangements ... The Vacationers is a holiday read in every way with a gently witty narrative that slips down as easily as a beachside cocktail Independent Emma Straub is a gorgeous and witty storyteller -- Elizabeth Gilbert Intimate, epic, beautifully observed -- Jennifer Egan Witty and big-hearted ... leaves you smiling for days -- Maria Semple Charming and absorbing -- Maggie Shipstead Funny, poignant and beautifully observed -- Jojo Moyes Emma Straub is a gorgeous and witty storyteller -- Elizabeth Gilbert Intimate, epic, beautifully observed -- Jennifer Egan Witty and big-hearted ... leaves you smiling for days -- Maria Semple Charming and absorbing -- Maggie Shipstead Funny, poignant and beautifully observed -- Jojo Moyes Emma Straub is a magician, full of brilliance and surprise -- Lorrie Moore