Key Takeaways:
- Olivia Nuzzi, a former New York Magazine star profiler, has released a memoir called "American Canto" about her affair with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- The book’s release was met with mixed interest, with some bookstores reporting slow sales and online sales ranking low on Amazon’s bestseller list.
- Despite the lack of commercial success, the Nuzzi saga has been a topic of discussion among journalists and media professionals, with many following the drama and scandal surrounding her affair and subsequent book release.
- The book’s release coincided with a major winter storm in the Northeast, which may have contributed to the slow sales.
- Nuzzi’s book is not the only political memoir to have seen mixed success this year, with other notable releases such as Kamala Harris’ "107 Days" and Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman’s "Unfettered" also experiencing varying levels of success.
Introduction to the Nuzzi Saga
The news of Olivia Nuzzi’s book release was a sensation in political and journalistic circles. Nuzzi, a former star profiler at New York Magazine, had lost her post after it was revealed that she had been having an affair with one of her profile subjects, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Despite the scandal, Nuzzi has bounced back, becoming the new West Coast editor at Vanity Fair and releasing her memoir, "American Canto". The book tells the story of her affair with Kennedy, who is now the secretary of Health and Human Services for Donald Trump.
The Book’s Release
The release of "American Canto" was met with mixed interest. At the Barnes and Noble on Fifth Avenue, only seven copies were on display, and not many had sold by lunchtime. At a branch of the local independent chain McNally Jackson Books, a few volumes were on display, but no one was lining up to buy them. In fact, not a single copy had sold by 3 p.m. on the day of the release. The store’s employee, Alex Howe, noted that the store had ordered several dozen copies, but supply was outpacing demand.
Comparing Sales to Other Memoirs
The slow sales of "American Canto" are not unique to Nuzzi’s book. Other political memoirs have seen mixed success this year. Kamala Harris’ "107 Days" was displayed on a shelf with other bestsellers, but Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman’s "Unfettered" was deemed a "flop" by store staff. The release of "American Canto" coincided with a major winter storm in the Northeast, which may have contributed to the slow sales. However, online sales have also been disappointing, with the hardcover edition ranking No. 6,709 on Amazon’s bestseller list.
The Online Reaction
Despite the lack of commercial success, the Nuzzi saga has been a topic of discussion among journalists and media professionals. Many have been following the drama and scandal surrounding her affair and subsequent book release. On social media, commentators have deemed the early numbers disappointing, and there appears to be a gap between how ready people are to read the story and how ready they are to pay to read it. In fact, there were only 33 people waiting for the four electronic copies in circulation at the Brooklyn Public Library.
The Fascination with the Nuzzi Saga
The Nuzzi saga has been an animating subject for McNally staff, who were discussing her new release among themselves. One employee mentioned that she had been heavily invested in the drama, dissecting the turn of events with everyone from her friends to her uncle. Alex Howe, the store’s employee, likened his fascination with the latest salacious scandal involving RFK Jr. to "a car crash on the highway where I feel curious and also bad for them". Although he said he probably won’t read "American Canto", he wished Nuzzi well, noting that it can be hard to compete with other popular authors for attention and sales.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the release of Olivia Nuzzi’s memoir, "American Canto", has been met with mixed interest. While some bookstores have reported slow sales, the Nuzzi saga has been a topic of discussion among journalists and media professionals. The book’s release coincided with a major winter storm in the Northeast, which may have contributed to the slow sales. However, the lack of commercial success does not necessarily mean that the book is not worth reading. As Alex Howe noted, it can be hard to compete with other popular authors for attention and sales, but Nuzzi has at least tried something that’s really hard for any author, regardless of whether you’re a reporter or whatever else.
