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A Novel
by Rachel Khong
Book Reviewed by: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?
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?
B E I J I N G , 1 9 6 6
She isn't afraid, but he is. They stand, in the darkness, before a glass case of old things. A Ming dynasty inkstone. A chrysanthemum carved from horn. A Song painting stamped with ruby-red collector's seals. And on a silk pillow, so slight it could be missed: an ancient lotus seed with a legend behind it.
The story goes like this: One night, long ago, a dragon emerged from the sky and dropped this seed into the emperor's open hand. His advisors huddled near to examine it. What fortune! they remarked. This seed would grant the emperor his greatest wish. Unfortunately, he died that night, while contemplating his options. He might have asked for immortality.
She takes a hammer from her knapsack. With all her strength, she strikes the glass. It makes a beautifully clear sound as it shatters. Quickly, the two get to work, securing the relics. It is an attempt to spare them from the Red Guards' destruction—an act of protest, small, against a movement she's no ...
Overall, what did you think of Real Americans? (no spoilers, please!)
In the beginning, I found Lily's insecurity frustrating. Her continual insistence that she "was nothing special" and "wouldn't ever be" was annoying. The visit to her mother's laboratory seemed to cement the idea that she would never amount to anything significant. When her narrative abruptly end...
-Linda_O_donnell
Structure of the novel, Real Americans
A post was merged into an existing topic: /t/overall-what-did-you-think-of-real-americans-no-spoilers-please/1616/26 Overall, what did you think of Real Americans? (no spoilers, please!)
-kim.kovacs
In the prologue, May swallows an ancient lotus seed. In what ways did this action affect the course of May's life and, by extension, Lily's and Nick's? Do you think that if she hadn't swallowed the seed, the succeeding events would have transpired?
The lotus seed was symbolic and based on superstition. I do not believe for one second that event resulted in Lily & Nick experiencing the similar slowing of time. It was more likely a genetic synapse inherited by maternal DNA.
-Vivian_H
Another theme that appears is that of luck. How does May's concept of luck contradict, or even explain, her belief in biology and the concept of manufacturing a human being to eliminate genetic diseases and, essentially, create a perfect human specimen?
In Chinese culture luck is a recurring historical theme depending on the geographical/ dialect groups. There are lucky numbers. Example: Mandarin the words for death and the number 4 sound similar. As such, many buildings have no 4th floor. Burning fake money at a temple for an ancestor- because ...
-Vivian_H
Why do you think May was disappointed in Lily's choice to quit her job at the magazine and financially rely on Matthew in the early years of their relationship?
Many parents have the same priorities for their children. Get an excellent education. Get a job that is important and makes lots of money. Mai no doubt also remembers the patriarchy of China before the Cultural Revolution. Girl babies were just another mouth to feed.
-Vivian_H
Why do you think Khong decided to write in the perspectives of these three characters? Did you notice any shifts in how they're portrayed among the different segments (e.g., how is May characterized from Lily's perspective versus how May tells her story)?
I so agree Kathleen. It is a very different story when told by the elders and told by the children. I find that often within my family frame, especially between my sister and myself. Seeing more than one perspective, often leads to better understanding between the two individuals.
-Carol_N
Wondering About Matthew
I agree, the author never allowed the reader to truly know what was going on in Mathew's mind. I believe he was stuck in his family's history and never able to break free. He was a complex individual and I really would like to have gotten more into his thoughts and what made him always step back ...
-Carol_N
Toward the end of her segment, Lily promises to give Nick what she didn't receive growing up from her parents. Based on Nick's characteristics, in what ways do you think she achieved that? What are some traits that Nick has that point to Lily's influence?
Lily was not close to her mother, only her father. She, despite her keeping him away from her family, she gave him a sense of values, and taught him to be loving and kind. He demonstrated those traits by showing his care of the grandmother. Matthew wanted to give him love but really didn't know h...
-Carol_N
Do you think May and Otto's attempts at manipulating genetics were successful? In what ways did their attempts to prioritize Matthew's DNA succeed? What do you think Khong is trying to say here about how a person grows and develops traits?
I agree wholeheartedly. Even though it erased the Asian heritage, it was not successful, it continued to destroy all of their ives.
-Carol_N
Nick recruits Matthew in a scheme to thwart Levi's plans for the startup company. What has Nick learned from his own conception and experiences with Big Pharma that influenced this choice?
Having experienced the affects of DNA experiments in his life, with his family members, he realizes that there is a line that should not be crossed. Nick truly believes that Levi can't be trusted to not cross that line and his one choice to see that it doesn't happen on his watch. That choice was...
-Carol_N
Lily and Nick each experience presuppositions and microaggressions about their identities based on how they look. In what ways do these presuppositions clash with how they perceive themselves? What do you think Khong is saying regarding "Americanness"?
Well expressed Laura! I agree wholeheartedly and could not have said it better.
-Carol_N
Lily was raised as an American without much knowledge of Chinese culture. In what ways does she yearn for a greater understanding of her heritage? Do you come from a specific cultural heritage, and if so, how much were educated about it as a child?
I am not sure Lily was yearning for an understanding of her Chinese heritage, I truly feel she was longing for a mother's love and approval instead. As for my cultural heritage, it is Sweden and Denmark based. My grandparents continued to follow many of their customs especially at the holiday sea...
-Carol_N
What audience would you recommend Real Americans to? Is there another book or author you’d recommend that you feel has a similar theme or style?
Having just read both of these books you mentioned, I totally agree. Both of these amazing reads deals with women and their reproductive choices. And sadly the most important fact it was without neither their knowledge and consent. Both events are horrific, and continues to made me not only sad b...
-Carol_N
What differences did you see between Nick's and Sam's upbringings? In what ways does Sam represent the opposite of what Lily and Matthew wanted for Nick? Do you believe Nick sees Sam as the person he would have been if his parents had stayed together?
Matthew had great difficulty connecting to his boys. He always kept space between all of his family members.Nick who often did feel alone, had plenty of his mother's love while Sam in spite of his wealth always felt alone. I really don't know what the outcome may have been if the circumstances we...
-Carol_N
A running occurrence in this book involves secrets and lies that, although well intentioned, cause fault lines between family members. Where in the book do you see that trying to manufacture a perfect life leads to deep rifts between parent and child?
Many lies among several characters. However I believe the two most unforgivable lies were May's interfering with Lily's DNA and Lily not sharing with Nick his father's name. She robbed him of knowing a good man. As for May, I question her right to change her daughter's DNA.
-Carol_N
How does the title of the book reflect on real Americans?
Melissa, I compliment you on your reply. I could not have said it better. Being a real American is individualistic and does mean where you were born!
-Carol_N
In what ways did growing up in the era of Maoism mobilize May to seek refuge in America? What are the social and political differences between these two specific cultures that might have influenced her choices?
May soon realized if she was to pursue her science work she need leave China as soon as she was able. She could not speak her truth if she remained there. Did she make the right choice, yes leaving provided her with more freedom., however, it also gave her freedom to change her daughter's life. T...
-Carol_N
"To rebel is unjustified. Purge bourgeois thinking, destroy the 4 olds: ideas, custom, havits and culture. Work hard . Work harder." This is might be a reflection of America today. How does this story give us a warning to rise above the noise?
Well said! I totally agree anyone who criticizes the current government is seen an the enemy. We need to stand strong and keep involved.
-Carol_N
When Lily visits Beijing, she realizes that she feels foreign even though everyone around her looks like her. Do you feel it’s common for many American-born ethnic minorities to face this kind of identity crisis? How does this mirror Nick's perspective?
As I am a native born American of Danish decent, I have no reference. I do have some American born minorities in my life and this question and book will make for a very interesting conservation the next time we are together.
-Carol_N
Jenny, Matthew and Lily's maid, instantly builds rapport with May when they meet after Nick's birth. Do you think Lily is jealous of their chemistry, and if so, why?
I agree wholeheartedly. Jenny and Mei had the relationship that Lily had always wanted from her mother. Also add the fact that the relationship came easy to her mother and I think she felt her mother had never tried with her.
-Carol_N
By the time he reaches college, Nick has developed a relationship with his father, but later it's clear he breaks off this relationship. Why do you think this occurred, and what were the factors that ultimately made Nick go no-contact with his father?
Nick felt disappointed that his father didn't show up for him. By not meeting Nick at the college, Matthew unknowingly brought all the Nick's abandonment issues with his father to the forefront. Lily constantly told Nick his father wanted nothing to do with him. Although his relationship with his...
-Arlene_Iannazzi
How do you think money and socio-economic status effects the characters and their choices (of lack of choices) throughout the novel?
Lily and Matthew's relationship focuses a lot on money and socio-economic status. Lily is constantly comparing her lifestyle to those around her (her co-workers at the Christmas party, the two friends from the Pilates class, Matthew and his family). How do you think money and socio-economic statu...
-Alisa_C
The lotus flower appears as a symbol of the consistency of time. How does this connect with the three main narrators' desire to manipulate time? In what ways do you think May admires the lotus flower for its inherent characteristics related to time?
The concept of time stopping or slowing down for the characters seemed out of place to me until we learned of May's wish when swallowing the lotus seed. It was an interesting tidbit that May, Lily, and Nick all felt the time slow downs. It connected the genetic theme of the story to the Chinese b...
-Laura_D
Nick's relationship with father
I was disappointed that Nick didn't push his mother about his father's identity. I do think they formed a relationship, but it was strained. I agree with NanK, that maybe their relationship did develop further as the ending suggests.
-Melissa_Chaitin
In the final chapter, May reflects on her obsession with time. How do Chinese and American cultures differ in their ideologies related to time and productivity? In what ways does life in America perpetuate a future-focused worldview and lifestyle?
Time is money in the US so everything is about future production!! We are so linear in our thinking yet Chinese concept seems to be two fold, the now and the future carefully blended to take advantage of trust and success, you don't want to waste people's time yet you want to be productive now an...
-Jo_S
In what ways do you think May regrets obsessing so much over maximizing her time? What kind of life do you believe May would have had without these anxieties over time?
Well for one she chose safety and a chance at a successful career over true love, and a closer relationship with her daughter. These sacrifices most likely led her to hyper focus on having a brilliant career and the perfect life for her daughter so the sacrifices would be worth it. There was no t...
-Jo_S
What are you reading this week? (3/27/2025)
I am reading Real Americans by Rachel Khong. I look forward to discussing her writing style and character development.
-Yvonne
About the Real Americans by Rachel Khong Discussion category
Please join BookBrowse in our book club discussion of Real Americans by Rachel Khong
-system
Over the course of the book, we meet May, her daughter Lily, and her grandson Nick. May, who flees China's Cultural Revolution and the persecution of scientists and academics, is driven by a passion for understanding gene expression. As the title suggests, the book explores what it means to be a "real American." Each of the three main characters feels excluded in some way: one doesn't look the part; one looks the part but feels different from his peers; one's past life and language is just too different to be shared in current surroundings. Yet the individualism of all their behaviors seems undeniably American in contrast to family-oriented Confucian values, or the greater-whole social principles of Chinese Communism. Throughout the book lingers the question of one's future: fate, destiny, free will. If we really knew and understood our past, would we make the same decisions? How much of our lives can we change; are they destined, free will, or luck?..continued
Full Review
(768 words)
(Reviewed by Pei Chen).
Brit Bennett, author of The Vanishing Half Ha Jin, author of Waiting
Real Americans is a grand novel that explores the American psyche, dramatizing the fundamental American belief in the ability to change the world and improve humanity. Rachel Khong shows infinite and colorful perceptions of the world, which are often leavened with wisdom. Besides being a page turner, this book is also an eye-opener, imaginative and exhilarating.May, the matriarch of Rachel Khong's Real Americans, is born into a poor rural Chinese family in the 1950s. Her fate is foretold by her mother's life: wake before dawn to cook breakfast, clean up after the men in the family, head to the rice paddies and toil until the time to head home to cook supper, rinse and repeat. It is backbreaking. Luckily for May, she possesses an academic gift and an intellectual curiosity that missed her elder brothers. She excels at the National Exam, testing into esteemed Peking University to study biology. Her tuition is sponsored by the state and she escapes rural poverty to become a glamorous urban student. "You look like the girl from the [propaganda] poster," May's young cousin says admiringly on her return...
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