Boyd Halverson, an alcoholic and pathological liar, feels life isn’t worth living anymore, so he robs a bank, grabs the bank teller as a hostage, and begins his odyssey across America in search of his ex father-in-law. While on his journey, Boyd little by little reveals his real life and his made up one. During his search he encounters a number of intriguing, amoral characters.

Judging from the title of O”Brien’s novel, one can figure out that Boyd’s journey is in some ways the author’s view of what has happened in The United States in the last few years. Although the tone of America Fantastica is often lighthearted and comical, its underlying message is serious. If you are far to the right and a Trump fan you will not enjoy America Fantastica.