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Real Americans: A novel
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Product Description:
Price:
Original price was: $29.00.$14.99Current price is: $14.99.
Detailed description:
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • READ WITH JENNA’S MAY BOOK CLUB PICK • From the award-winning author of Goodbye, Vitamin: How far would you go to shape your own destiny? An exhilarating novel of American identity that spans three generations in one family and asks: What makes us who we are? And how inevitable are our futures?
“Mesmerizing”—Brit Bennett • “A page turner.”—Ha Jin • “Gorgeous, heartfelt, soaring, philosophical and deft”—Andrew Sean Greer • “Traverses time with verve and feeling.”—Raven Leilani
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 not: easygoing and effortlessly attractive, a native East Coaster, and, most notably, heir to a vast pharmaceutical empire. Lily couldn’t be more different: 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 it provides 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.
Exuberant and explosive, Real Americans is a social novel par excellence that asks: Are we destined, or made? And if we are made, who gets to do the making? Can our genetic past be overcome?
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Product group:
Categories: Best Books of 2024 So Far
Product name:
Real Americans: A novel
Price:
Original price was: $29.00.$14.99Current price is: $14.99.
Elizabeth Ann Wagar –
It begins with Chinese family, a couple of bio-engineering scientists who escape Mao’s regime. Their entry to the U.S. confronts them with incredible opportunity. But they are also subjected to the whims of foundations who support their research, sponsored by a very rich family.
A successful experiment leads to the dissolution of a marriage that is a merger of the Chinese immigrants and the old wealthy family from New York City that has supported their research. Some frightening consequences are theoretically now possible.
The third generation deals with the reality of what has been done, in the research labs of San Francisco and in the abject poverty of many aging immigrant families.
This tale is not in a straight line and it extends into the near future. Also, since this reviewer has a background in molecular biology, the author did not give a completely believable molecular scenario. Both of these issues keep the review from five stars.
It is a straightforward read and is particularly effective at bringing the lives of Chinese immigrants into focus.
Tracy McLeod –
Excellent novel. It tells the story from 3 different characters.
Kindle Customer –
This book told an unexpected multi generational story. It was unpredictable, the characters were likable and the author lets you into all of them.
Jay A. Nesbit –
“Real Americans” by Rachel Khong is a fascinating read. The characters are well-developed and really pull you into their world. The scientific aspect, especially the gene therapy for controlling diseases and human traits, adds a cool twist to the story. It makes you think about the possibilities and ethical dilemmas of genetic engineering.
However, the generational relationships can get a bit tangled. It jumps through the decades, which can be confusing at times. I had to jot down some notes to keep track of who’s who and how they relate to each other. But once you get the hang of it, the storyline is rewarding and engaging.
What really stands out is how Khong blends science fiction with deep emotional themes. The book explores identity, legacy, and what it means to be truly “American” in a future shaped by genetic choices. Despite the occasional confusion with the timeline, the book’s blend of personal stories and futuristic concepts makes it a compelling read. If you’re into science fiction with a touch of family drama, this one’s for you.
sage cat –
I am not normally a buyer of print books but this was a Jenna read and I was interested…glad I did because it is a must share. Was truly good to broaden my understanding of what person’s of color (Asians) experience in the US even when they are US born and raised. And the extend parents will go to to help their kids be accepted in the land of their birth.
italophile –
Found this interesting, though didn’t entirely live up to the NYT hype
Kman –
Good book overall. Characters had a lot of depth but the story was definitely disjointed at parts. Insightful into the background of Chinese life and hardships that were experienced, and often forgotten.
Melodie Stembridge –
This book is so well written that you fly through the first 20-30 pages without realizing it. It’s smart and current! It’s so typical of 20 somethings’ thinking patterns yet nostalgically resonates with a reader much older(speaking for a friend). I found myself saying “yes I often thought that”. Very creative story. Loved it.
Gail D. –
Kept my attentions. Very interesting storyline. Challenged me to consider people and situations I never thought about before. Could not stop reading until finished.
kkkkatie –
An enjoyable read in the first half of the story, believable and well written for the most part. The author has a gift for pulling the reader into lives caught in the Chinese culture of poverty, powerlessness, oppression and subjugation of women, engendering male dominance. The book fell apart for me in its use of coincidences and dialogue among and from the Americans. Part 2 of the book was confusing and, at times, hard to believe. After May, the protagonist, escaped China and is living in America, it felt as though another lesser author began to write. I could not emotionally connect with the Americans or Chinese/Americans. The positive and negative traits of American characters did not develop understandable conflicts. Grudge holding and anger seemed to take precedence.
Jay –
Thanks to Aimee Liu’s review in the LA Times, I picked up this book and I’m glad I did. The writing is ravishing, transporting me into the lives of each of the characters, so much so that I will miss them now that I reluctantly turned the last page. The story is disturbing on some levels because I don’t care for scientists and investors playing god (but that’s just me). And finally, I couldn’t put down this book as I found myself totally immersed and invested in this story of “Real Americans”.