The novel tells the story of a Chinese American woman who is an American Born Chinese woman, Lily. It starts in the late 90s and is told from her perspective. It fast forwards 20 years or so and her son, Nick, takes the stage. It finishes with her mother, May, describing her escape from China.

Very complex story involving May's work as DNA researcher, Nick's separation from his father and Lily's need to hold on to her son. Spanning over 50 years, I thought this was a compelling novel.

Real Americans is a wonderful book about family, generational trauma, how decisions effect the future, cultural expectations, as well as other things. Told in 3 parts by 3 members of a Chinese family from different generations, while not told chronologically, it's a study in show a family develops, thrives, or suffers, and how the past shapes the family of today. The author has a lovely writing style that flows beautifully. It brings the reader along into the lives of the characters and makes the reader care about what happens to them. She also did a good job of evoking the atmosphere of New York and San Francisco, where two of the characters reside. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an enjoyable, but thoughtful, read. Thanks to Net Galley for this ARC!

The book is divided into three parts, each centering a different perspective that’s compelling in its own way. I found the first section, Lily’s, to be the weakest: Lily becomes a fuller character only after her chapters are done. Her story feels the most overdone of the three — she falls in love with a wealthy man who showers her with wealth, effectively reducing her personality to her class consciousness. As the novel progresses beyond Lily’s narrative, it morphs into something fresh as it reveals its original angle, one involving magic and sci-fi. While this angle is intriguing and lends the novel unique appeal, it feels slightly out of place, jarring at first and underdeveloped by the end. Still, this is a touching, if familiar, family saga that proves a fast and well-written read. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and Knopf for the ARC.

I have such good things to say about this book. Real Americans does an incredible job telling the story of 3 generations and the various struggles they dealt with. These struggles include issues with family, cultural oppression, mental health, education, ethics, and more. The book starts with Lily, then picks up with her son Nick (while chronologically still moving forward) and ends with May, the mother of Lily and grandmother of Nick, and her retelling of the past and her perception of current state. It’s beautiful written and its impact is significant. I had a hard time putting it down.

I find NetGalley NetGalley books are often hit or miss. Well, this one definitely was a hit. It’s a story of three generations of a Chinese immigrant family trying to make it in America. The first generation struggles to fit in, with the language and the completely different culture in America. Lily is the second generation, born and raised in America,doesn’t even speak Chinese, yet she feels her Asian look makes her subject of discrimination.
She definitely struggles with identity, too American to be Chinese, yet too Chinese ( why) to be treated as a “Real American”.
Nick, Lily’s son is the third generation. He is also struggling with identity, never knew his biological father growing up and when he finds him as a teenager, there are more questions, than answers. I enjoyed the book, especially Lily’s and Nick’s stories.Mei’s story was a little drawn out and confusing, I am taking one star off for that.
I received a complimentary copy, opinions are my own.

Every. Single. Time. 🤣 I type “Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review” the Goodreads app closes. Yes, I C&P, but this is annoying! Anyway, thank you NG! The book is closer to a 3.75 than a 4. There is no possible way every single book I read is a 4 or 5, but that doesn’t make them unenjoyable.

This is a multigenerational story that seems a little bit stereotyped as we start with Matt and Lily’s story. Billionaire white guy trying to fly under the radar and a Chinese woman seemingly disappointing her parents and herself after graduating from NYU. I am not a white male billionaire nor a Chinese female so if you disagree, have at it. Part one is Matt and Lily, their relationship which culminates in marriage and the birth of their son. Lily struggles with what she will do with her life, struggles with motherhood which she really never wanted for herself and struggles to be a the daughter her parents want. We meet the parents briefly. Her mother May/Mei does seem truly unlikable. His father tries to put Lily at ease in the family.

Part 2 has Lily and her son Nick living on the West Coast. She loves him beyond anything she could have imagined. Nick is unaware of his paternal lineage. He is sheltered from all tech by Lily.

Part 3 is Mei’s story and this is lengthy. I was truly engrossed in the China she was raised in (not a fan of Mao’s here). Unless you make the time to read about China’s history and its governance, rulers, wars, etc. you read only a couple of lines in a high school history book about this happened and then that happened. Mei recounts every step in her journey from destitute and ignored daughter to her university schooling, her years as a scientist in China, how she escaped Mao’s China for the US and her marriage to Charles/Wen. There is no mysticism. Chinese culture is very different from Western Culture. Part 3 pulls Mei, Lily, Nick, Matt, Otto and Charles together as the author binds her story. There is no epilogue. I had to think about how the author ended the story. It is both spot on and somewhat wanting.

I loved this book! A genuinely fresh, surprising, and readable take on the American immigrant story, full of characters who were flawed and real but who I was fundamentally really rooting for. Propulsive plot, emotional depth, overall a great read.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

I loved this book. I wasn't sure, initially, what I was going to think or feel about it. I wasn't in the mood (my mood-reading ways can be an annoyance) for a multigenerational novel but I'd recently read and loved Goodbye, Vitamin, so I tiptoed into this one. I was promptly drawn into this mesmerizing story.

My husband asked, "What's that one about?" and I (only partially through the book) said, "It's hard to say at this point. It's about mothers and daughters, mothers and sons, fathers and sons. Friendship. It's about identity and race and choices and attempts to control our lives and the lives of people we love. It's a peek into the cult of Mao Zedong and I was reminded of the frightening parallels with MAGA cultists. It's about being human."

"That's a lot," he said.

"But it's just the right amount," I said. And, having finished the book, I still think so.

At the beginning of this book, Real Americans appears to be primarily about the struggle of being a first generation American with Chinese immigrant parents. Lily, one of the main characters, was brought up by her Chinese parents as American as possible, not even learning to speak her parents’ native language. She contemplates her cultural identity as the people she meets make assumptions about her based on her outward appearance and yet she does not feel as connected to her Chinese heritage due to her upbringing. But Real Americans is more complex than that. This is a generational story focusing on Lily, her mother Mei, and Lily’s son, Nick- how in each generation the mother tried to do what was best for her child (also in an attempt to avoid the mistakes of her own parents), but in the end the same mistakes were somehow still made. Mei(May) is a Chinese immigrant from Southern China who fled to America during Mao Zedong’s reign. She worked so hard to give her daughter the opportunities that she did not have as a girl who grew up in China. This isn’t simply a generational saga, as there is a scientific/ethical twist that makes it that much more interesting- I won’t spoil it for you but I was surprised and intrigued by it. This book is thought-provoking in the best way, the characters are realistic and easy to identify with, and the prose is so easy and enjoyable to read. I also haven’t read many books (fiction or otherwise) about China during Mao Zedong’s leadership so it has made me interested to learn more.
If you like generational stories, historical fiction, and ethical quandaries, I bet you’ll enjoy this one too!

Real Americans by Rachel Khong without context:
⏰🦪🥗🍷🌙🧬🍀📺💄🪷

I knew this book was going to be a new favorite just a few chapters in. Historical fiction with a sprinkle of magical realism, romance, and even a bit of mystery. And some science. LOVE!!!

This books spans 3 generations of the Chen family, from the Cultural Revolution in China and the 9/11 attacks, to the COVID-19 Pandemic. It was such an insightful and heart-warming read.

I’ve always thought about how I’ve been connected to my grandma since she was born— in her womb, she carried my mother with all her existing eggs. What was my grandma like as a teenager? What did she struggle with? How had she influenced how my mom raised me? Does everything I’ve done thus far already impact— and dictate the personalities & health of—my future grandchildren?

I loved seeing how each character maneuvers through stages of life and how they perceive their parents through their limited understanding. It was an eye opener for sure. One of my favorite parts of the book was getting subtle repeats of the past, through things like salad-oil stains and gifted TV’s.

I loved this book and will definitely reread it in the future. ⭐️ 5 stars!!!

I really really loved this book! 4.5 starts rounding up to 5. It’s a beautiful story about fate and free will and unrequited love and wanting the a better future for our children, even if it leads us into morally grey territory or forces us to make hard, life-changing decisions. I loved all the characters and appreciated the long stretches of the book in their various POVs. The magical realism element of the story requires a little suspension of disbelief and I might have liked a little more explanation there, but overall the storytelling was so beautiful that it didn’t matter!

Real Americans is not the type of book I typically read, but I am so glad the cover caught my attention. It was beautifully written and caught my mind going back over the story anytime I wasn't reading it. I didn't expect the path the book wandered, but the whole story was as lovely as it was heartbreaking.

Thank you to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, Knopf and Rachel Khong for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Told in three parts (a mother, her son, a grandmother), Real Americans is about being Asian American, family secrets, time, and science.

Struggling after college in New York City, Lily meets her great love, Matthew, who whisks her into his world of tremendous wealth. They have a child, Nico or Nick, and Lily unexpectedly leaves the marriage. Nick, in high school, picks up the story, and unexpectedly connects with his estranged father through an online family ancestry database. Finally, May, at the end of her life, connects with Nick. Together, the three narrators tell the complete story of three generations.

Real Americans is a compelling story; the separate narratives reveal new aspects of the complete story at a pace that kept me engaged. At times, the story felt a little too coincidental, but I liked the characters and was curious enough about their intertwined stories to accept the coincidences.

Lilly Chen is a 22 year old Chinese-American whose genetic scientist mother fled Moa’s oppressive regime and with whom she has a strained relationship. A recent college graduate, working as an unpaid intern in New York City, Lilly meets, falls in love with and marries the heir to a vast pharmaceutical family. Soon after their son is born, a terrible secret causes her to divorce and move with the child to an anonymous life on a Washington island. There she raises him without disclosing his paternal roots or family history, but eventually he locates and initiates a relationship with his father and, by the end of the book has reconnected with his grandmother. Although this multi-generational saga touches on many important themes; racism, class, genetic engineering ethics, identity, I found the plot points to be contrived and the characters under developed.

Beautifully written, I loved this multigenerational Chinese - American storyline.

I really enjoyed all 3 povs, especially Lily's and Mei's.

I adored this book! It is such a beautiful story of the power of forgiveness. I couldn't put this book down. I need to go back now and read her previous novel.

Real Americans, by Rachel Khong, is a family saga spanning several decades. It is a story of familial love and loyalty interspersed with culture clashes and social status. You will find yourself wondering what actually constitutes a “real American” and what exactly makes us “real”. Thought- provoking and candid, Ms. Khong has created a story that will stand the test of time

This captivated me from the start. I loved how the author developed the characters over time. The drama of the storyline did not feel contrived at all. This story explores the connections between parents and their children across generations while mixing in a dose of intrigue.

This novel surprised and delighted me. There were several times throughout where I thought I knew this story, to then discover that it was not what it first led me to believe it to be.

I felt the format brilliant—I loved how it unraveled and tied itself back together. The pacing was engaging— a solid balance of detail and emotion while holding back enough to garner curiosity.
Interesting imperfect characters. Complexity created through multiple perspectives.

Although not necessarily beautiful writing, I found the straightforward and less poetic word choice to match the scientific elements throughout.

Really enjoyed this one. 4.25

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf for graciously providing a copy of this novel. My review is entirely voluntary, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.