For me, this book was a mixed bag.

The novel contains three parts, all interrelated. It begins with Lily, a Chinese American whose parents raised her to be "American." She doesn't speak any of the Chinese languages, and has numerous identity (and personality) issues. She eventually marries Matt, a white man who is from an extremely rich family, and they have a child, Nico, who looks completely white, with blonde hair and blue eyes - so white that he questions his own Chinese identity and does a DNA test to ensure that he is, indeed, 50% Chinese. The next section of the book features Nico, now Nick, who has grown up without his father. He chooses a college, far from home, and goes through his college years trying to figure out life, unsuccessfully reconnecting with his father.. Finally, the last section of the book is about May, Lily's mother, who, come to find out, engaged in genetic manipulation in an attempt to mold humans. Not only had she been involved in this pursuit, but she had done so with Matthew's father, Otto. (Yes, this is super confusing). Long story short, Lily's genetics were negatively impacted, as was her relationship with Matthew, once she came to find out all that had happened unbeknownst to her. May is sorry for the strife she caused not only Lily, but others, and spends her last years trying to reconnect with her daughter, from whom she has been estranged.


The writing in this book is excellent, as is the character development. I am left somewhat confused, especially regrading the genetic manipulation; I still do not know if what they did is a real thing, to any extent, or if this was an element of science fiction, inserted into the book. At least in my case, as I read, I had to consciously try to make sense of what was going on, as each section ends kind of abruptly. The themes that are explored in this book: family, identity, race and ethnicity and forgiveness, are all compelling.


#netgalley

Everyone has been buzzing about this book.
I picked it up even though the cover doesn't give anything away about the content of the book.
This family story drew me in and kept me reading.
I am recommending this book to library patrons who like family sagas.

I wasn't sure if this book would live up to all the hype online, but I loved it! Families are so complicated, and I think this book handled it beautifully. It took me a while to get into it, but then I sped through it. Some storylines were better than others, but I enjoyed getting to know all the characters and have recommended this book to a lot of people since finishing it. I can't wait to see what the author does next! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Wow. Real Americans is a book that truly hits home. From the very first page, I was hooked by its raw, honest portrayal of what it means to be American today. The author’s storytelling is nothing short of brilliant, blending stories with larger social issues in a way that feels incredibly real and relatable. It’s one of those reads that makes you pause and think, sparking deep conversations long after you’ve put it down. If you’re looking for a book that digs into the heart of American identity and leaves you with a new perspective, this is it. It’s an unforgettable journey that I can’t recommend highly enough.

This book is great. Told in multiple points of view in a Chinese-American family: second generation Lily, her son Nick who looks nothing like his mother, and her immigrant mother, Mei. The first two portions of the book, with Lily as the narrator, and then Nick, were very different stories of identity and coming of age. Mei's story was by far the most interesting, told at the end of her life, spanning her entire life. There are a lot of themes and ideas in this book, and I would have happily read another hundred or more pages.

Although I initially received an eARC of this book, I ended up purchasing it on my own after publication....

Yet another book I had an eARC of, didn’t get a chance to get to before it came out, only to end up with a physical copy after seeing so much praise for it. It was actually one of my contenders for book club a few months ago during AAPI heritage month (we went with Kaikeyi, in the end) and I kept meaning to get to it soon and @lauras.library reading it in July and giving it a great review was the push I needed to commit.

This book follows Lily, a second generation Asian-American, who is lost post graduation with her art degree from NYU. And then, she meets her boss’s nephew at a holiday party and her life is changed.

I know it sounds like this book will be a romance—but it’s so much more. The phrase “genre-bending” perfectly encapsulates how this book has a little of everything. It follows 3 generations in a family and how their lives weave together but also explores ideas like race, class, medical ethics. I’m hesitant to say more because I went into this book knowing nothing except that it was about an Asian-American family, and I think this is all you need to know.

Being the daughter of immigrants myself, I resonated with a lot in this book. But also, this book challenged me to re-examine how I approach that identity and everything that comes with it. I also learned about The Cultural Revolution- a piece of history I admittedly knew little about.

I think the biggest thing about this book I didn't like is that at multiple points, I felt like the book was building up for something huge to happen and when that thing happened, I kind of felt like "oh that's it?" but I don't think that necessarily made me dislike the book overall. I also wonder if the ~hype~ around the book set my expectations too high.

Thank you for the eARC, regardless!

For the size of this book, it reads very quickly. I liked that it was sorted between three time periods and three main voices, but stayed committed to the same narrative throughout. I was shocked by the events and things revealed, and the ending really pulls the whole story together nicely. I can see why this was a Read with Jenna choice!

From my experience of the first third of the book, I was not expecting this story to become the generational saga it turned out to be. I especially like that we weren't given the generations in chronological order—the journey from daughter as a solo narrator to a shared narrative between grandson and grandmother was unique and added dimension to the story. I will need to sit with this longer to determine if this will be a favorite for the year, but it was certainly a memorable story with a lot of rich nuance. I especially like the interwoven conversation about inherited traits, as both a scientific topic and a more intimate one. I'm not sure whether to fully classify this story as science fiction, or even speculative fiction, but the dip into the near future was believable as well as quietly upsetting.

Thank you to Knopf for the opportunity to read and review! I can see why everyone has been raving about this book, and I can't wait to see more from this author.

I really liked the first half of this book so it was a total disappointment when it totally lost me in the second half! I felt like it left a really strong story unfinished. I do really like Rachel Khong's writing style though, and as a 20 something some of Lily's experiences definitely connected with me.

The first part of this book was great but about half way through I started to lose interest. Family drama. Dynamics between parents and their children. And the struggles all families
Go Through. The authors style of writing also started to deter me. Short, choppy sentences that I didn’t mind at first but that eventually started to bother me.

I really enjoyed reading Real Americans. I appreciated the various timelines and seeing how one character's actions affect others later. I would read more from Khong.

Easiest 5 star I’ve read in a long time. I loved how the storylines were woven together. It packed an emotional punch and left me thinking about the ethical questions of IVF and gene manipulation. Entertaining, thoughtful, and one of the best books I’ve read all year.

I loved part one and was riveted. I liked part two for the most part, and I’m glad the big reveal didn’t turn out to be what I thought it was going to be. As an Asian-American who passes as white, I really related to a lot of the imposter syndrome felt by both Lily and Nick. But I think the reason for Lily’s estrangement from her mother is a bit odd. I also found Mai’s section dull, which is the only reason this isn’t 5 stars.

Rachel Khong's "Real Americans" is a captivating and profound exploration of the intricate web of choice, chance, class, race, and genetic engineering within a Chinese American family. Khong's sophomore novel showcases her growth as a storyteller, weaving a rich tapestry of interconnected lives across three generations. Structured as three linked novellas, each with its distinct yet intertwined narrative, "Real American" creates a multifaceted portrayal of family dynamics and societal pressures.

The plot development is meticulously crafted, beginning in 1999 in New York City with Lily Chen, who encounters Matthew Maier, a wealthy heir, in a seemingly chance meeting at an office party. This serendipitous event sets the stage for their whirlwind romance and subsequent family life. The narrative then shifts to 2021 on a remote island off the coast of Washington state, focusing on Lily and Matthew's teenage son Nick, who grapples with his father's absence and his own identity. The final section, set in 2030 in the San Francisco Bay Area, is narrated by Lily's elderly mother, May, whose reflections on her youth in China during the Cultural Revolution, and her fascination with genetics, provide a poignant backdrop to the family's saga. Khong deftly interweaves these timelines, creating a cohesive and compelling story that spans decades.

Characterization is a standout feature of this novel. Each character is vividly drawn and deeply human, with their strengths, flaws, and idiosyncrasies laid bare. Lily, Matthew, Nick, and May are all compelling figures, each grappling with their own challenges and making significant, sometimes flawed, choices that reverberate through the family. Khong's ability to elicit empathy for her characters, despite their mistakes, is a testament to her nuanced writing. The ripple effects of their actions, causing anger and estrangement, are portrayed with such authenticity that readers can't help but feel a mix of dismay and hope for their futures.

The pacing of the novel is perfectly balanced, allowing readers to immerse themselves in each character's journey without feeling rushed. Khong's prose is both bold and delicate, addressing life's biggest questions through artfully crafted scenes and dialogue. The themes of genetic engineering, race, and class are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, prompting readers to ponder the complex interplay between nature and nurture.

Overall, "Real Americans" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant novel that explores the essence of what it means to be human, making it an immensely enjoyable and enriching read.

This book was truly incredible to me. After finishing Lily’s section, I was sad to start another character’s POV (something I’ve never really experienced before) and by the time I finished that character’s POV the same thing happened.

The New York setting, not to far from the future genetics, social commentary on race and class, and the characters (!!!) made this such an unforgettable read

Real Americans is an engrossing, magical, lyrical, and unique work of fiction that will appeal to so many readers. I’m so excited to see what Khong writes next!!

A good story on what it means to be a real American, DNA ethics, science, immigration, class, and the Chinese revolution. Three POV sections of 3 main characters. At times the time jumps were confusing. I so liked Lily and following her struggles of growing up with Chinese immigrant parents in the US, dealing with the finding romance as a Chinese woman, and raising her son who didn’t look Chinese. Her husband Matthew I found pathetic, something was off about him and we find out why later in the story. I enjoyed her son Nick and how he struggled to do the right thing. May’s story about living and working in Mao’s China and her escape was well written but I found the ending of her story not that strong, a lot left unsaid. 3.5 stars, good book club title.

3.5-3.75 stars. Real Americans is about 3 generations of a family. The first part is Lily’s story, then her son, Nick’s story continues. The last story told is May’s, who is Lily’s mom.

The first two stories were very interesting to me for the most part. But I struggled to get through May’s story.

What I learned about myself is that I don’t like science in my books. There is something that is happening in this book, scientifically, that my mind just put up an instant block on. It’s happened with other books lately, not just this one.

I read for entertainment which I got mostly from Lily and Nicks stories. Maybe if May’s story had been first, the science introduced then, my rating and enjoyment would have been higher? Who knows.

Overall, I liked this book fine until I didn’t. If you like science in your books (think Angie Kim, Andy Weir), grab this one. You’ll probably enjoy it. If you didn’t love those authors, maybe skip this one.

Thank you to #netgalley and #knopf for the e-copy of #realamericans . This book is available now where books are sold.

I wish I had picked up this multi-generational book about identity earlier this summer. Despite having multiple plot-lines and characters to keep track of, I never felt lost and I enjoyed every chapter watching the plot-lines get closer to intersecting. I anticipate this book being on multiple 2025 'Best of Fiction' lists!

REAL AMERICANS is such an intriguing story with so my plot lines to keep track of to the point it felt like a chore. Did I like this story? Yes. But was it a bit clunky and hard to follow? Also yes.

While incredibly important, I think this story was trying too hard to include such delicate topics that none got the true attention they deserved. It felt like three separate stories that included some of the same characters each through the lens of someone different. It was interesting to see different scenarios play out based on the current landscape of that characters life, but it didn’t mesh as well as it could have.

Would I still recommend this story? Yes, but make sure you’re paying attention and not multitasking. For that, if you’re willing and able, I’d recommend a physical or digital option rather than the audiobook.

Big thank you to Netgalley and Knopf for the ARC.

Content warnings: sexual assault, classism, racism, suicide, violence

Lot’s of food for thought in this 600 pager at this time in the world after a worldwide pandemic and other threats looming. I think that many of us are thinking about science and hoping that our scientists are finding ways to cure the ills of ourselves and our planet. Although scientific experimentation is at the heart of the story there is also a smattering of Chinese history and culture as well as a cast of interesting characters to sympathize with and definitely kept my interest throughout.