Community Reviews
This novel reached into the marrow of what it means to inherit dreams, silence, and survival. Real Americans isn’t just a story—it’s a meditation on identity, ancestry, and the quiet ways our lineage shapes us.
Rachel Khong writes with grace and depth, inviting us to question: Who am I beyond the stories I was given?
It left me reflecting on my own roots, the invisible threads that tie us to the past, and how we choose to rewrite—or honor—what we carry forward. A powerful, layered journey across generations.
I feel like it could have been a really good book. I think they should have started on the past and move forward in time instead of going back in time. It left me wanting to know more. But not in a good way of that makes sense. Over all it is a pretty good book.
Rachel is careful to develop the characters, but the trick is she unfolds the story of each character over the book. In my own experience, I did not feel close to any of the characters until I got to the section about Mei. The idea of Real Americans is a discussion in itself. The book tiptoed into science fiction and incorporated history with love, passion, and sadness. I wanted to know Lily more. She was a character I think I most relate to and I wanted more from her. Nick is a compilation of the dreams of his grandparents and parents. But it is not all roses. This book sticks with me, but not sure why? I will be reading more of Khong to see what her style of writing does to draw the reader in.
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