Olivia Nuzzi’s ‘American Canto’ receives tough feedback from critics

Olivia Nuzzi’s “American Canto” Faces Criticism

Olivia Nuzzi, a former reporter for New York Magazine, has released her book, “American Canto,” but it hasn’t exactly won over the critics. Some reviews have gone so far as to label it “absolutely awful.”

Nuzzi had garnered significant attention prior to her book’s release, largely due to her relationship with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which she documented while covering his campaign for the 2024 election. The book is described as offering a “fascinating first-hand account” of how American reality has shifted over the past decade, particularly amid Donald Trump’s rise, and claims to provide a deep dive into a confusing narrative.

Interestingly, while this book is not supposed to be a memoir, it comes after Nuzzi’s departure from New York Magazine, which was reported to be linked to her alleged affair with Kennedy. She previously published a profile on him during his presidential bid for 2023. Currently, Nuzzi holds the position of West Coast Editor-in-Chief at Vanity Fair and has faced allegations from her former fiancé, Ryan Lizza, who accused her of being romantically involved with politician Mark Sanford.

In a review from The New York Times, Alexandra Jacobs described “American Canto” as “drifting and unfocused,” arguing that it craves the structure of a well-developed policy document, but doesn’t quite deliver. The review noted the book’s many scenes depicting immigrants, highways, and the Oval Office are largely ineffective. They summed it up as “self-serious and downright disappointing.”

Meanwhile, Keith Olbermann expressed that he may have dodged a bullet considering the surrounding controversy tied to Nuzzi. In a separate piece, New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg criticized Nuzzi for her apparent lack of self-reflection regarding her relationships, particularly with Kennedy. She remarked that the book gives off a “creepy” vibe due to this absence of introspection.

Kennedy has denied any physical relationship with Nuzzi, complicating the narrative further. A review in the Washington Post labeled “American Canto” as “unforgettable,” albeit in a negative context, suggesting that the book is strikingly uneven, with many sections considered poorly executed.

This ambivalence continues in the New Yorker, where an article mused on whether Nuzzi was skilled at generating buzz on social media, but fell short in her memoir.

Molly Fisher of Vanity Fair described the book as a perplexing artifact amid a backdrop of scandal and gossip, noting its lack of chronological structure makes it challenging to extract coherent insights about the situations discussed.

Helen Lewis from the Atlantic argued that, while the book may have some merit, it ultimately lacks honesty. She criticized Nuzzi’s rebuttal to those asking for clarity, suggesting that her refusal to be understood may explain the reasoning behind not publishing a memoir. Overall, reviews have pointed out that “American Canto” feels like a rushed first draft, written too soon after the scandals that have followed Nuzzi.