Real Americans | 
pickThis 3-generation story of a Chinese-American grandmother, mother, and son was told with the POV of all three just not in the sequence one might expect. It was interesting to gain perspective as each POV was introduced. Also happening is a parallel story about the ethics of gene editing and selection. There‘s so much going on that plot-wise a few things could have been further flushed out, but overall I really liked this.
pickSo this was certainly a perfectly fine book but it didn‘t live up to the hype. Great writing, good story but just left me a bit flat at the end.
so-soI thought this was going to be a higher star read for me but it was just ok. It contained 3 different stories, 3 different point of views. And honestly, it was hard to fully connect with the characters. I enjoyed Lily's part the most and May's part the least. I thought there was going to be more discussion of what it meant to be an American while being non white. It was disappointing.
3⭐️
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@TheAromaofBooks
pickThree POVs- mother, child, grandmother,- that fill in gaps of the family dynamic. The characters are complex and engaging, the plot curves enough to be believable and page turning. It‘s a good book when as one POV ends, I want more. Excellent.
pickThree different narrators & perspectives during three different time periods, this book doesn't quite land, but it was easy to read and definitely offers lots of food for thought about genetics, life experiences and family. I think we'll have lots to talk about in book club. Solid 3.75 stars.
so-so⭐️⭐️⭐️
I liked the structure of this book and the characters were all intriguing. The numerous themes and characters ended up feeling like they were all spread a little too thin for my personal taste, though. The audio narration was very good with a different narrator for each character, and this helped bring the story to life. 🎧
pickBeautifully written, it will make you think. A multigenerational story, looks at how even science can bust up families, people with the best intentions, create secrets that some can‘t forgive. About immigration, the illusions of the American dream , how immigrants assimilate and so much more. There is a sadness to it maybe more noticeable by me as I‘m a bit sad these days.
pickI finished this a week ago, and it has still stuck with me even if I didn‘t enjoy part three as much as the first two. What starts as the story of a slightly mismatched couple turns into a sweeping book about family bonds, biomedical ethics, and 20th century Chinese history. So much more than meets the eye in a fantastic way!
pickSuch a good book. Multigenerational, secrets, choices & consequences with high stakes. When science and scientific research are used without one‘s knowledge, can a family mend from the cracks it puts in their relationships? Khong builds wonderful stories & characters.
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pickBook 131 of 2024. Real Americans by Rachel Khong. I love a family saga that spans generations. This book was excellent. The writing was so beautiful and I was captivated by this story. This was one of those books that really made you think.
pickThis compelling intergenerational story is told from the perspective of Lily, the aimless daughter of Chinese immigrants; Nick, her blonde, blue-eyed son; & Mei, her driven mother, a scientist who left everything behind to secure a better life in the US. A fascinating look at the choices parents make for their children, the disconnect between the love you need & the love you get, & the cost of defining yourself by what you want & how much you have
pickI simply ADORED Khong‘s first book, so maybe I just had unreasonably high expectations. I did enjoy this and the story was compelling, but it just didn‘t bowl me over. The story is told through three related characters who have vastly different life experiences. It seemed like three coming-of-age stories with an additional science/ethics thread tying them together. It didn‘t feel as cohesive as I wanted. But it was good and worth a read.
so-soI‘m not totally sure what I just read. Individually, I enjoyed the stories of Lily, Nick and May and how they each navigated their ways in the world. But the big reveal involving science and genetics left me scratching my head. And the decisions made by several characters seemed contrary to their natures. I was left feeling confused, unsatisfied and wanting more.
When you‘re reading your current book and suddenly stumble across the place where you work! 🤯
I had to look up the author‘s bio—yep, she went to Yale. Of course. Lots of references to New Haven locations in here.
pickReally liked this book about family, choices and genetics. What makes us who we are?
Highly recommend.
So far I can‘t put down this multi generational story following members of a Chinese American family, starting off in Y2K New York.
pickWhat I enjoyed the most about this book is the 3 different POVs, even though sometimes it took a little bit of adjusting from one to the other (this happened mostly with Nick).
The story centers around a Chinese-American family and how trying to shape fate affected them. I loved it. I loved the dynamics and how the author developed the characters and presented the story.
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pickIf you‘re in the mood for a fantastic, literary read - this book is it! It reminded me of a steak & potatoes dinner; it has heft to it and was very filling, but didn‘t feel forced or insincere. Told from 3 POVs, this is a multigenerational saga that will keep you hooked. If you enjoyed her debut (“Goodbye, Vitamin”) I would definitely add this to your TBR 👍 Pub date is 4/30/2024
pickI really enjoyed Goodbye Vitamin, so I was excited to read her new one. This one is much longer, more sweeping. It‘s a multigenerational story told from multiple points of view, from the reeducation during Mao‘s Cultural Revolution to modern day US.
