Real Americans by Rachel Khong

The American Dream, Reimagined

What does it mean to be a “real” American? This question, at once simple and impossibly complex, lies at the heart of Rachel Khong’s sophomore novel, “Real Americans.” As I turned the final page, I found myself pondering not just the characters’ journeys, but my own place in the grand tapestry of American identity. Khong’s story, spanning three generations and multiple decades, is a nuanced exploration of belonging, inheritance, and the ever-shifting landscape of what it means to call oneself American.

Plot Overview: A Family’s Journey Through Time

“Real Americans” by Rachel Khong unfolds across three interconnected narratives:

• Lily Chen, a struggling intern in late ’90s New York, falls for Matthew, the heir to a pharmaceutical empire.
• Nick, Lily’s teenage son, searches for his biological father in 2021 Washington state.
• May (Lily’s mother) reflects on her past in China and her journey to America.

Khong weaves these threads together with skill, creating a rich tapestry that spans continents and decades. The novel explores themes of identity, assimilation, and the weight of family secrets with both humor and heartache.

Strengths: Where Rachel Khong’s “Real Americans” Shines

Nuanced Characters

Khong excels at creating complex, flawed characters that feel startlingly real. Lily’s struggles with imposter syndrome and her desire to belong are achingly relatable. Nick’s adolescent angst and search for identity ring true for anyone who’s ever felt out of place. And May’s reflections on her past in China are both haunting and deeply human.

Exploration of Identity

The novel deftly tackles questions of racial and cultural identity without ever feeling heavy-handed. Khong shows how these issues play out across generations, from May’s experiences during China’s Cultural Revolution to Nick’s confusion about his mixed-race heritage.

Vivid Settings

Whether describing the glittering world of late ’90s New York or the isolated beauty of a Washington island, Khong’s prose brings each setting to life. The contrast between these worlds adds depth to the characters’ experiences and highlights the diversity of the American experience.

Intergenerational Storytelling

The novel’s structure, jumping between time periods and narrators, could have been confusing. Instead, it creates a rich, layered narrative that shows how the past informs the present and how family histories shape individual identities.

Weaknesses: Where the Novel Stumbles

Pacing Issues

At times, the novel’s pacing feels uneven. May’s sections, while beautifully written, occasionally slow the momentum of the contemporary storylines. Some readers might find themselves impatient to return to Lily or Nick’s narratives.

Underdeveloped Secondary Characters

While the main characters are well-drawn, some secondary characters feel less fully realized. Matthew, in particular, remains somewhat enigmatic, which can be frustrating given his importance to the plot.

Ambitious Scope

Khong tackles a lot in this novel—perhaps too much. Some themes, like the ethical implications of genetic engineering, feel underdeveloped in favor of the more personal storylines.

Writing Style: Khong’s Distinctive Voice

Fans of Khong’s debut novel, “Goodbye, Vitamin,” will recognize her signature blend of humor and pathos. Her prose is often deceptively simple, with moments of startling insight nestled within everyday observations. Take this line from Lily’s perspective: “I wanted to be normal—it was what I’d once shouted at my mother. With them I finally was part of something, exactly in my place. It alleviated the dread in me. This was my family.”

Khong has a gift for capturing the small, telling details that bring characters and scenes to life. Whether it’s the “waxy clementines, their leaves and stems still on them” that Nick buys in Chinatown or the “purple bags beneath [May’s] eyes” that speak to her exhaustion, these details create a vivid, immersive reading experience.

Themes: The Heart of “Real Americans”

The Myth of Belonging

Throughout the novel, characters grapple with what it means to truly belong. Lily’s attempts to fit into Matthew’s world, Nick’s search for his roots, and May’s journey as an immigrant all speak to the universal desire to find one’s place.

The Weight of Family History

Khong explores how the choices of one generation ripple through to the next. May’s experiences in China shape Lily’s upbringing, which in turn influences Nick’s sense of self. The novel asks: How much of who we are is determined by our genes, and how much by our choices?

The Malleability of Identity

From May changing her name to Lily reinventing herself in New York, the characters in “Real Americans” are constantly negotiating their identities. The novel suggests that identity is not fixed, but fluid and often self-determined.

The Ethics of Science

Through the Maier family’s pharmaceutical empire and May’s work in genetics, Khong raises questions about the ethics of scientific advancement. How far should we go in our attempts to shape human destiny?

Comparisons: “Real Americans” in Context

Khong’s novel invites comparisons to other works exploring the Asian-American experience, such as Celeste Ng’s “Everything I Never Told You” or Min Jin Lee’s “Pachinko.” Like these authors, Khong deftly navigates the complexities of cultural identity and intergenerational trauma.

The novel’s structure, with its multiple narrators and time periods, brings to mind Jennifer Egan’s “A Visit from the Goon Squad.” Both books use this fragmented approach to create a rich, multifaceted exploration of their themes.

Final Thoughts: A Compelling Addition to the Canon

“Real Americans” by Rachel Khong is a novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page. Khong has created a story that is at once deeply personal and universally resonant. While it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its ambitions, the novel’s insights into identity, family, and the American experience make it a worthwhile read.

Khong’s growth as a writer is evident in this sophomore effort. Where “Goodbye, Vitamin” was a more intimate, contained story, “Real Americans” sprawls across time and continents. It’s a book that takes risks, both in structure and content, and while not all of these risks pay off, the result is a novel that feels urgent and necessary in our current cultural moment.

As I closed the book, I found myself reflecting on my own family history, the stories that have shaped me, and the complex tapestry of American identity. And isn’t that what great literature should do? Make us think, feel, and see the world a little differently? By that measure, “Real Americans” is a resounding success.

Who Should Read This Book?

• Fans of multigenerational family sagas
• Readers interested in exploring themes of identity and belonging
• Those who enjoy narratives that blend historical and contemporary settings
• Anyone looking for a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to be American