Brooklyn native emma straub’s secret city: a literary escape beyond manhattan

From the bustling streets of Manhattan to the quiet charm of Brooklyn Heights, author Emma Straub’s life and work are inextricably linked to New York City. But her latest novel, American Fantasy, transports readers to a surprisingly nostalgic setting: a 1990s boy band cruise ship—a world entirely divorced from the familiar landscapes she’s come to define.

A childhood divided: subway rides and brooklyn roots

Growing up on the Upper West Side, Straub’s early experiences were sharply contrasted by her frequent subway trips to Brooklyn Heights, beginning in ninth grade. “That’s just what I did—took the subway back and forth,” she recalls. “It became a routine.” This duality—Manhattan’s grandeur versus Brooklyn’s burgeoning identity—shaped her perspective and continues to subtly permeate her writing, as seen in her previous novels, Modern Lovers and This Time Tomorrow, where Brooklyn serves as a vital backdrop.

The village within: a brooklyn story

Her first apartment, rented on Smith Street in Carroll Gardens, just two blocks from her future bookstore, Books Are Magic, cemented her connection to the borough. “We walk everywhere, to work and to our children’s school,” Straub notes. “I feel like I live in a tiny little village. Sometimes I forget that the city—I still think of Manhattan that way, The City—is just across the water.” This intimate understanding of a specific neighborhood—the local businesses, the familiar faces—is a core element of her storytelling.

Local gems: recommendations for a brooklyn escape

Best Time to Visit: “Fall or spring, depending on your allergies,” she advises with a wry smile. “My birthday is in late April, so perhaps I am biased, but I think autumn or springtime in New York is ideal. Just ask Ella Fitzgerald!” Favorite Restaurant: “Popina,” a hidden Italian gem on Columbia Street, is her go-to. “It’s always delicious, and the people who run it are so kind to my children, who would eat there every day if we let them.” Breakfast Staple: “Montague Diner—it’s perfect, every time, and we always run into a half-dozen people we know. Eggs, oatmeal, pancakes—they do it right.” Caffeine Fix: “Poppy’s makes a mean matcha and more importantly, the best tahini brownie in the world. They also make salads, but let’s face it, I usually walk in for a cup of tea and walk out with a pastry.”

Beyond the plate: culture and community

Favorite Theater: “My friend Adam Rubin runs Art of Play, a charming shop of curiosities with a tiny theater. Every week, Adam and his friends host magicians from around the world—intimate shows that feel like secret encounters.” Must-Shop: “Seriously, you need to go to the Consistency Project. They’re wizards with vintage denim. You walk in, they measure you, and they just start bringing you piles of jeans that fit. It's a miracle.” Bookstore Obsession: “I love the light coming through the window, the open door on a beautiful day, and my neighbors and their babies and dogs. The books are what brings everyone across the threshold, but I think it's the community they find inside that keeps them coming back.”

A brooklyn oasis: nature and tranquility

“Brooklyn Bridge Park is a miracle,” Straub exclaims. “In a city as big as New York, it’s impossible to imagine the permissions needed to build something on a grand scale, but Brooklyn Bridge Park truly transformed the edge of the neighborhood. It’s open to everyone, and used by everyone.” Peaceful Retreat: “Cobble Hill Park always makes me feel like I’m Hugh Grant and/or Julia Roberts in the last scene of Notting Hill. The benches are perfect for reading or just sitting and chatting. A dreamy little secret.”

The view from above: a manhattan perspective

“If you want to look at Manhattan but also want to eat a delicious meal that also makes your children happy, go to the roof of Fornino,” she suggests. “I can’t wait for summer.” Local Favorite: “Lassen and Hennigs—breakfast, lunch, dinner, iced tea, a slice of cake. I would wither and die without their salads and sandwiches and genial conversation.” Splurge Worthy: “Gage and Tollner. I love an old-school steakhouse, and this one is just right.”

A hidden truth: brooklyn’s literary legacy

“People rightly think that my little part of Brooklyn is quite boring, but what most people don’t know is Brooklyn Heights’ extremely impressive literary history. Truman Capote, Walt Whitman, Carson McCullers! So many giants of American literature lived in these few square blocks.”

Finding strength: a personal journey

“About six months ago, I started working out with a trainer (shout out to Michelle!) at Form Fitness, a tiny subterranean jewel box of a personal training gym just across from Borough Hall. I have never before felt so comfortable in a gym, and here is why—Form is expansive, in terms of body size, gender, ability—all the things that usually make gyms intimidating or creepy or otherwise toxic. Form Fitness makes me feel both strong and supported, and what could be better than that?”

A touch of luxury: pampering and relaxation

“My sons (10 and 12) and I love Posh Nails, which, just like Books Are Magic, has locations on both Smith Street and Montague Street. I always pick a bright red, and my sons think I’m terribly boring, but we all love the friendly people who work there, and the foot massages, and the warm towels.”

Ending on a note: the city’s enduring appeal

Ultimately, Straub’s story isn’t just about a specific neighborhood; it’s about the enduring magic of New York City, a place where contrasts—Manhattan’s grandeur and Brooklyn’s intimacy—create a uniquely vibrant and compelling narrative.