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Real Americans: A Read with Jenna Pick: A novel

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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? Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Knopf (April 30, 2024)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 416 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0593537254


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 51


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.4 pounds


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.34 x 1.31 x 9.54 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #7,202 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #28 in Asian American Literature & Fiction #39 in Cultural Heritage Fiction #312 in Family Life Fiction (Books)


#28 in Asian American Literature & Fiction:


#39 in Cultural Heritage Fiction:


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Top Amazon Reviews


  • A complex and fascinating story
Although I was concerned initially by the 600+ page length of this book, I found it to be a remarkably quick read. The book is divided into sections, each one devoted to a member of the family at the heart of the book: a married couple of Chinese scientists who immigrated to America to escape the horrors of the Cultural Revolution, their daughter Lily, Lily’s husband Matthew—the scion of a fabulously wealthy white family— and Nick, Lily and Matthew’s son. Despite an undercurrent of mystery—how can Nick look completely white when he has a Chinese mother—the focus of the book is what it means to make choices we may regret and how those choices affect the lives of others around us. Very engaging and thought-provoking. Highly recommended ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2024 by Eager Reader

  • Did I like it or not?
This was an interesting book and kept my attention. There were parts that confused me. It definitely was unpredictable. I learned a lot about China and that was good. I think it would be a great read for a book club because there would be a lot to discuss. It wasn’t the best book I ever read, but I would recommend it to others. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2024 by Karen

  • Amazing and heart warming story that spans generations
I really enjoyed this story because it spans generations and gives the reader of what it was like to live through different time periods.
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2024 by Becca Gimble

  • Not the First Time I Didn't Love a "Read With" Book Selection
I read a wide variety of books in many genres, and all I know is that I just could not get into this book. I actually gave up, DNF'd it about half way - and those pages were a struggle. I kept thinking something would make me care about the characters and that I would have read a worthwhile book to recommend to other book clubs. No, life is too short to be as bored as i was. I will be polite and give this a 3 instead of the 2 I want to since I didn't finish the book. This is not the first time that I was very disappointed in a "Read With Jenna" selection. The adjective 'exhilarating' was used in the official press releases, and I found this book to be anything but that. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2024 by Mr&Mrs

  • A multigenerational story challenging what it is to be American.
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. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 1, 2024 by Elizabeth Ann Wagar

  • If you’re into science fiction with a touch of family drama, this one's for you.
"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. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2024 by Jay A. Nesbit

  • At times, I loved it!
By the end of the book ( which I was not thrilled with how it ended) came, I was honestly confused about how I felt. There were times I loved it and couldn't wait to read it, but then it seemed dramatic and then picked up again. I found most of the characters very exasperating, especially Lilly and then Nick. My best advice read ir and see what you think. In the end I'm glad I did. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2024 by Miss Prim

  • Loved this book!
I love this book. Each section was beautifully written.
Reviewed in the United States on November 30, 2024 by Devlin

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