Wow I loved this book. The 3 POVs, the way secrets and events are revealed as the story progresses and each side is shared, the beautiful ending (!!!) I loved it all. it touched on so many important topics while still being an immersive story that I couldn’t put down. If you love the book tomorrow, tomorrow & tomorrow, you will love this!

This gorgeous book gutted me. An epic tale spanning three generations, Real Americans grapples with what makes us and how much choice we have in who we become.

The character work is exceptional and each time we switched perspectives I longed to go back to the last… until I fell in love with the current narrator. The story is perfectly placed and the mysteries reveal themselves at exactly the perfect time. It’s an exceptional book that I’m still thinking about, trying to work out the questions it raised.

In the last months of the year 1999, Lily Chen is a twenty-two year old woman who lives in New York City, where she works as an unpaid intern at a media company. At a party, she meets Matthew and they start dating. The two are from two entirely different backgrounds, two backgrounds that, without knowing it, are connected to each other and that form a red line in the story. Lily's parents are scientists that fled China during Mao's cultural revolution. Matthew is an heir to a high profile pharmaceutical empire. Lily and Matthew's dating continues and they become the parents of Nick. But soon after Nick is born, Matthew leaves and Lily moves to Washington Island where she starts a new life.

We fast forward to the year 2021, in the middle of the corona pandemic. Nick grows up and when he is in the age of starting college, he gets curious of his own background, which he starts researching without Lily's knowledge, as she doesn't have any contact with Matthew or her parents anymore. Nick feels Lily is hiding something about her own and her parent's past. Digging up his past raises even more questions than answers, but later on, from his grandmother, he learns more about her past that is strongly interwoven with his own in the present time.

This is a book I have mixed feelings about. What I liked most of it was the first parts of the book, in Lily's POV. That clearly is the part with the strongest storyline that is easy to follow. When it changes to Nick's pov, the story still is good, but it gets lost in too much unnecessary details and things that don't help the story any further and that make the story at some parts uninteresting and the reading of it, very slow. In this part, for example, it get's stuck in too much college details, and too little real action in the story. For anyone not familiar with biomedical science, the story can also be somewhat confusing, as it at some point wasn't clear to me if the biomedical science in the book was based on reality or fantasy. The last part was also somewhat slow and confusing, this point was mostly about the history of Lily's parents in China before they fled, and what the connection with them is to Matthew's parents. I found the overall storyline good, as I love Chinese-American books, and I also love the multigenerational part, but the story get's lost, as I mentioned earlier, in too much unnecessary dialogues and details that don't help the story any further and which makes it a slow read that doesn't hold the interest of the reader for long. I truly wanted to like this book more that I did, as my expectations of it where high, but it didn't live up my expectations.

The Real Americans explores multigenerational trauma through the lens of a mother, daughter, and grandson. The book is revealed in three sections, each with a different point of view. Interestingly, the POVs don't move in historical order but start with the middle generation, the daughter, move on to the grandson and end with the grandmother's perspective as an octogenarian. This worked as the grandmother was the more reliable witness and cleared up a lot of unanswered questions. I found all the characters likable, each in their own brokenness. In other words, even though there is plenty of dysfunction, and the main characters had their flaws, each was in their own way redeemable.

Khong's novel is a masterful blend of historical and contemporary fiction, with a sprinkle of fantasy/magical realism. While magical realism can be a tricky genre to navigate, 'The Real Americans' strikes a perfect balance, never straying too far from the realm of reality (for me). Some characters possess a unique relationship with time, capable of entering a state where time slows or even halts momentarily. This fusion of literary styles is a treat for readers, although those who prefer more traditional narratives might find this aspect of the book a tad perplexing.

Some science is described in the book (primarily molecular biology as it relates to gene regulation). It is an essential part of the story but at a high level. I'm a scientist and cringed at some of the descriptions - they weren't wrong, per se, but stretched what is feasible. Also, self-experimentation is pretty out there - it happens in novels but not IRL. It's needed for the story, but I don't enjoy storylines that defy things like research ethics committees and such. The book covers a mainstream family-owned research facility, but at times, it's a little too "mad scientist" for me. If you are picky about how science is portrayed in books, consider this before you pick up this book. I enjoyed it despite some reservations about the science because I see the story as more about the family dynamics and legacy than I see it as hard-core science fiction.

Other aspects of the book I enjoyed:
The part of the story set during the Cultural Revolution in China was interesting and matches the personal stories my Chinese friends have told me.

Part of the story is set on a remote Puget Sound island, rarely used in literature. I enjoy original settings. This book covers 1960s China, Puget Sound, NYC, and San Francisco.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an electronic ARC in exchange for a review.

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of <i>Real Americans</i> in exchange for an honest review. I blasted through this book - I couldn't put it down!

This is very <i>Little Fires Everywhere</i> meets speculative fiction and historical context, and I loved it! It won't work for everyone - the story is slower-paced, and the shifting narratives were a bit jarring at times, especially at the end (although I will say that the narrators all had pretty specific voices, which was brilliant. Often with shifting narrators I feel like they're all the same person with a different name, but this one felt unique and well done.... I digress). The mix of historical fiction with speculative fiction was really well done, though, so let me break down the reasons this worked for me (and explain why it might or might not work for you as a reader):
- The science aspect - genetics is a big focus - is something I am super interested in already. I've been fascinated by genetics since I was a kid, and even wanted to go to school for it. This does a fantastic job of explaining the scientific aspects without jargon and making them appropriate for readers. If you're not a science person, you'll probably still enjoy this because it's very approachable, but it's definitely going to be more interesting to readers that are already invested in the science and ethics of this topic.
- I thought the pacing was great - I was incredibly invested and wanted to continue reading. However, the story focused on really heavy issues, and on family dynamics more than it did actual 'plot'. I wanted to know what would happen and figure out some of the mysterious elements, but not everyone likes stories like that. I happen to love them!
- There is a lot of ambiguity and purposeful 'hang the reader out to dry and make them think' elements. Again, I love this. Others don't. Be aware.
- Themes are a bit overexplained at times. That said, there's still a lot of ambiguity (see above point). I liked that it wasn't overly hidden but wasn't 'hit you over the head' obvious.

Overall, I loved the themes, ideas, characters, and story. I thought this was incredibly well done, and I know I'll be thinking about it for a while!

It’s Y2K when Lily Chen, a struggling intern in NYC, crosses paths with Matthew, a wealthy heir to a pharmaceutical dynasty. Despite their vastly different backgrounds— Lily has humble beginnings as the only daughter of Chinese immigrates who escaped Mao’s Cultural Revolution—the two fall in love and begin their lives together.

Lily’s story is the beginning of a multi-generational immigrant tale that takes the reader to Mao’s China in the 1960’s to San Francisco in the future (2030). Lily and Matthew have a baby and then the story jumps to 2021 where we meet Nick Chen, the son of Lily who desperately wants to connect with his father. Finally we jump to May’s story (Lily’s mom), her experiences in China and why she emigrated to America, and it’s her story that provides the ultimate answers and connections between the three stories. Weaved throughout these accounts are questions many of us have: How far would you go to shape your life in the mold you want? What if you had made a different decision? What makes us who we are? Is it fate? Genetics? Environment? Our own actions? What does it mean to be a Real American?

There were a lot of questions and themes about immigration that I don’t feel qualified to expand on, but felt tremendous empathy for as a parent— pressures to fit in, pressures on the children of immigrants, decisions made by immigrants for what they believe is the good of the family or child, but in a different culture, is that always the best way forward?

Multi-generational stories are my jam and I’m always considering what makes people tick— why do we make the decision we do? Lily, Nick, and May were fully fleshed out characters, each with their dreams and insecurities on display, making it easy for the reader relate and sympathize with the choices they made.

Read this if you are interested in:
Multi-generational sagas
Immigrant experiences
Complicated family relationships
Chinese culture

I definitely expect that this one will be on my top 10 for the year— it’s been a few days and I’m still thinking deeply about many of the questions above! Thank you to @aaknopf for the ARC!

I was hooked from the first line, and while I enjoyed Parts I and II the most, I overall really liked this. The questions are our fates truly inevitable, do we have the right to influence others’ fates even if capable, and what really makes us…us were all explored here. It’s important to note there are some not fully explained or fully believe scientific things central to who Khong is answering these questions. I was okay with that, despite wanting a bit more. That aside, I have a feeling these characters and this story will stay with me for awhile.

This is such a remarkable novel and I am in awe of the story Rachel Khong has created for this book. I absolutely loved her debut novel, Goodbye Vitamin, and have been looking forward to this one for some time; it did not disappoint.

Separated into three parts, each in its own time period (1999, 2021, mid-60s) and with its own narrator, the story brings together three generations of a family that has simultaneously separated and come together. There are so many interesting themes here: fortune - both wealth and luck; choices - those we make and those that are made for us; legacy - including the timely topic of genetic engineering; and the American "dream," through the lens of class, race, education, and several other factors. Khong's writing is take-your-breath-away beautiful, full of highlightable phrases and sentences that forced me to pause for further reflection.

If you enjoyed books like The Vanishing Half and/or The Dutch House, you should give this one a try!

This multi-generational story about a Chinese-American mother and her son explores identity and family. The book started out really strong but took a twist that I could have done without.

A beautifully written fascinating story of an American family. Told in three parts, it starts with Lily, daughter of Chinese immigrants, who meets and marries Matthew, scion of an incredibly wealthy family. Theirs is a charmed life until the birth of their son Nico when a secret comes out. The narrative then shifts to Nick, a high school senior living on an island in Washington State with his mother Lily. His friend prods him to find his father, who Lily has stubbornly refused to identify, and this changes everything. Critical to Nick's story is that he does not appear to be Chinese, that he looks almost exactly like Matthew. The narrative then leaps ahead once Nick has graduated and is working in tech to Mei, Lily's mother, who suffered mightily in China. She tells her life story to Nick and wants nothing more than to see Lily again. Khong pulls the threads through these people, makes them seem very real, and will keep you entranced and engaged. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A terrific read.

I really enjoyed this multigenerational novel about the choices that people make, and the effects on future generations. It's told by three people: Lily, her son, and her mother. I liked the first two parts best! The third part, a mix of Lily's mom and her son's story, was a little messy, and a little hard to follow. I saw one reviewer say it reminded them a bit of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, and I do see that connection. I think many readers will like this book, though!

This is a beautifully written story. I loved the multiple POVs, the almost fantasy feel to it, and the way the stories wove together. The pacing and the way the stories connected through the different timelines are what really sets this book apart. This was a very unique read and I was sucked into the story for the entire book.

I loved this novel. Rachel Chong is a fantastic writer who is able to capture character and plot in a perfectly balanced way. Real Americans is a multigenerational family story told in three parts. Part one begins with Lily, a first generation Chinese-American, living in NYC in the Y2K era. Lily is unsure of what she wants to do with her life and struggles with finding meaning and connection in her life and laments her bad luck. When she meets Matthew, Lily feels like her luck has changed. He is good looking, wealthy and crazy about Lily. The couple marries and through IVF are able to conceive their son Nico.
Nico, now referred to as Nick, is the narrator of the second part of this story. Years have passed and he and Lily live alone in a remote home outside Seattle. Nick and his best friend Timothy, high school juniors, are trying to figure out who Nick's father is. Lily has never told him about Matthew and the reader doesn't know what exactly happened.
Part three is narrated by May, Lily's mother, years in the not too distant future. May begins her story as a little girl working the rice fields in China. She tells us about all that she has been through in life and all the choices that she had to make along with the consequences of those choices.
There is no way to quickly summarize this novel and do it justice. It's messy and complicated in the way that life is complicated and messy. There are many difficult topics weaved throughout including racism, family betrayal, and medical ethics. Khong's writing is compelling with just a touch of the fantastical. Thankful to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this 5 star book.

Author Rachel Khong continues to impress me with her writing; specifically her ability to inhabit her characters and develop complex plots. REAL AMERICANS is filled with juicy characters and the three timelines and accompanying subplots are thoroughly engaging. I was so engaged in following the story that I may have missed some crucial details; at times I felt as though there were missing pieces. I just wanted to see where the story was going; namely, where did the characters end up, after all was said and done. It was worth the wait to get there and oddly enough, might be even better when read a second time. I received my copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

A magnificent book that will stay with you.

Following three generations of „Real Americans“, the book is told, successively, from their three different points of view.

In 1999, we met Lily, the American-born daughter of Chinese immigrants May and Charles. Lily is working as an unpaid intern in New York and trying to figure out her life when she meets Matthew, the son of a pharmaceutical dynasty. Despite the odds, Lily and Matthew fall in love.

What follows - Lily and Matthew‘s relationship that‘s refreshingly drama-free and adult, their marriage and the birth of their child, Nico/Nick; Nick‘s own adolescence with his single mother, in search of himself; and eventually, May‘s confessions to her grandson - is a stunning, moving, utterly honest tale of family, identity, belonging, race, and fortune: how we might try to change it, and who we might hurt in the process.

Told in beautiful prose, sweeping four decades from 1999 New York to 2030 San Francisco, and including flashbacks to Mao‘s China, „Real Americans“ is an unforgettable book whose ethical questions - how much we can and should interfere in other people‘s fortunes, even those of our children - will stay with you for a long time.

Moving, honest, thought-provoking, unpretentious and yet unimaginably rich. A true triumph.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

„Real Americans“ is slated to be published on April 30, 2024.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a multi-generational family saga of a Chinese-American family. The story follows three POVs and timelines: Lily Chen, daughter of Chinese immigrants; Lily's son, Nick; and Lily's mother, Mei.

Lily does not really know what she wants to do in life and feels the weight of expectations. Nick wonders about his father his whole life and why his mother left him. Will he look for his father and if he does what will he find? Mei came from a poor family in China but always wanted to be a scientist. She gets into university right before Mao takes over China. She escapes China to come to the United States. Each character's decisions impacts the story and the family.

This is an interesting story that has me pondering where I came from and my immigrant ancestors. It will also make you think about choices that families make with the best intentions.

Recommend for literary domestic drama lovers!

REAL AMERICANS has an interesting premise and I think it’s very earnest. I read most of it in one sitting on a plane, and I was invested enough to not put it down. But ultimately it fell flat. Khong tried to tackle lots of BIG subject matter (ancestry, belonging, Asian-American identity, the American Dream, parenthood, friendship, secrets, college, etc etc etc....) but she bit off more than she could chew. Nothing was explored in depth enough.

The pacing and structure were often ham handed as well; this a book with a plot contrived almost entirely of unbelievable coincidences, and it was too long. The light speculative elements felt out of place....the prose was uninspired and merely serviceable...

I can see Khong's expansive vision and respect the promise here, but the execution was severely lacking.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC!

I loved this beautifully crafted multi-generational saga. Lily is studying and working as an unpaid intern in New York city in the late 1990s-early 2000s when she falls in love with Matthew. Matthew turns out to be richer than Lily imagined and although initially skeptical of the relationship, the two quickly get married. Lily's parents, May and Charles are geneticists who migrated from China in the 1960s and have kept their past mostly hidden from Lily. This is the setting for this fantastic novel told in three parts and three different points of view over a period spanning decades. While the story started off as a light-hearted romance, it really sucked me in by the time I got to Part Two. I am unable to decide whether Part 2 or Part 3 is my greater favorite. If you love a well-told tale with elements of relationship drama, history, scientific possibilities and some magical realism thrown in, look no far. This is one of the best books I have read recently. Love the original plotline, the well-developed characters and the lucid, easy writing. Totally recommend!!

Thank you Netgalley, Knopf Publishing and Rachel Khong for the ARC.

3.5 stars rounded up

Typically, I enjoy a slow-burn, multigenerational family saga, and Real Americans was definitely a slow burner. Each part of the book is from a different character's perspective, and in a different time period. The story of Lily and Matthew, May and Charles, and Lily and Matthew's son, Nick, was emotionally wrenching, as they tried and mostly failed to heal past wounds. I felt like the relationships were fairly realistic, even though my questions about how things happened were not completely answered. The family saga aspect of the novel is its strength.

I struggled a bit with some of the scientific experimentation and time warping that was woven through the story; it felt a little unnecessary even though it demonstrated a connection between the generations. Also, the ending of the book felt strangely rushed and ultimately unfinished. Overall, the book is enjoyable, albeit a bit uneven.

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage & Anchor for the digital ARC of Real Americans. The opinions in this review are my own.

Great writing and an interesting concept. I had a tough time with the pacing. This is definitely a slow and steady type of book. I didn’t mind the three parts and the different timelines but I felt they ended a little abruptly. Too much and not enough.