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.

Such a wonderful take on the fascinating dynamics of race, immigration, science, and family. I finished each section wanting to understand more about the family and I loved that the story kept me thinking about so many greater concepts.

This was a very complex story written so well that I felt like I knew the characters. The point of view flowed so easily between the characters and the timelines! I loved everything about this book and I want to read more books by this author! Recommend.

This book had the perfect amount of character development and plot. It was binge-worthy while still providing thought-provoking ideas. Everything about this was leading up to be a 5 star read until the magical realism aspects kicked in. I'm left with more questions than answers as to why this was included in the book.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Real Americans by Rachel Khong.

This was such an interesting story. It has two real points of interest, being Asian in America, with a unique scientific twist.

It's told by three narrators, Lily, a lovestruck girl during the Y2K day, her grown son Nick, and Lily's mother. Between the three points of view we learn so much about how, particularly, Nick came to be.

There's nothing about this novel that I could ever see coming. It's fresh, innovative, and still very human. I love a story that digs deep into family secrets, lore, and legends, and that's exactly this. The character development is fantastic, and the story is captivating.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Knopf for the digital review copy! I remember feeling very moved by Rachel Khong’s debut novel Goodbye, Vitamin and eagerly requested her latest.
Though I wasn’t sure how I would feel about her foray into historical fiction, as it’s not always my favorite genre. Yet, the bulk of the story is more recent history and the main character is a contemporary of mine. Being able to relate to where Lily was life during the Y2K era, I was immediately drawn in to this emotional roller coaster of a family drama filled with such realness. Though the narrative touches on timely moral issues (race, class, consumerism, genetic engineering) it doesn’t feel didactic.
I think I (slightly!) prefer her first novel, and Real Americans didn’t quite rise to a full five star review for me because sometimes the jumps in time felt jarring, I thought the ending fizzled/didn’t pack as much of an emotional punch as it could have, and the connection formed between the youngest and eldest characters at the end seemed unrealistic. But I absolutely love Khong’s writing and it was an absolutely beautifully compelling story with twists that just kept me enthralled. Highly recommend!