Real American was the September bookclub pick and I thankfully was able to listen to the audiobook while I read the paperback. In this post, I’ll share my thoughts on it. I wonder if I’ll feel differently after the discussion.
Synopsis
“How far would you go to shape your own destiny? An exhilarating novel of American identity that spans three generations in one family, and What makes us who we are? And how inevitable are our futures?Real Americans begins on the precipice of Y2K in New York City, when twenty-two-year-old Lily Chen, an unpaid intern at a slick media company, meets Matthew. Matthew is everything Lily is easygoing and effortlessly attractive, a native East Coaster and, most notably, heir to a vast pharmaceutical empire. Lily couldn’t be more flat-broke, raised in Tampa, the only child of scientists who fled Mao’s Cultural Revolution. Despite all this, Lily and Matthew fall in love.In 2021, fifteen-year-old Nick Chen has never felt like he belonged on the isolated Washington island where he lives with his single mother, Lily. He can’t shake the sense she’s hiding something. When Nick sets out to find his biological father, the journey threatens to raise more questions than answers.In immersive, moving prose, Rachel Khong weaves a profound tale of class and striving, race and visibility, and family and inheritance—a story of trust, forgiveness, and finally coming home.”
My thoughts
I generally liked it. Although, it felt like the author was trying to do too much -magical realism, non-linear storytelling, and juggling multiple themes. I don’t usually mind when a book tackles a lot, as long as it doesn’t feel like things are being thrown in just for the sake of it. Real Americans was ambitious, but it didn’t quite come together. That said, I didn’t hate it.
The story is told in three parts, following a multigenerational family: Mei, a scientist who left China for America after the revolution, her daughter Lily, and her grandson Nick. I found Lily’s story the most compelling, but it ended too abruptly for my liking. I also quite like Mei’s story but I think it may have to do with the fact that I like science. The author does a good job exploring how family secrets can affect generations, but honestly, half their problems could have been solved with better communication.
The family dynamics were probably my favorite part, especially Nick’s relationship with his parents. It really highlights how we sometimes keep secrets to protect those we love, but end up doing more harm.
What didn’t work for me was the pacing, the lack of cohesion in the story, and the disjointed timelines.
Themes
Family, identity, and life as a first- and second-generation immigrant, Culture, and Chinese history.
My Rating
You might enjoy Real Americans by Rachel Khong if you like:
- Multigenerational family drama
- Complicated family dynamics
- Science & genetics
- Stories on identity, culture, immigration, & Chinese history
To read other reviews, click here.
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