A review by chaptersofchase
Real Americans by Rachel Khong

emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

F I V E   🏆   S T A R S 
Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of  Real Americans by Rachel Khong {partner} 
 
Genre: Fiction 
Trope: Multi-generational 
Format: 🎧📖 
Pub Date: 4.30.2024 
Pages: 416 
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 
 
"Time passes, indifferent to me. So much of my life I have let slip by because I have not attended to it. All this while, instead of seeking more time, I could have been paying attention." 
 
I can't believe it took me this long to read Real Americans. I had no idea what to expect, but Rachel Khong's exceptional storytelling swept me off my feet. I love that we, as the reader, were able to hear from Lily (mother), Nick (son), and May (grandmother) throughout the book. 
 
But what stuck out to me is the way the story unfolds. Instead of hearing from May first (chronologically), we hear from Lily first. We learn her story and see how her life was shaped before she became a mother and daughter and how her mother and son's choices impacted her. Because of this format, Lily was my favorite character—she tried hard to shield her son from the life (or lives) she left behind. 
 
Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆ 
If audiobooks are your thing, then I recommend reading Real Americans with your ears. Louisa Zhu, Eric Yang, and Eunice Wong brought this story to life. They did a phenomenal job of representing all of the emotions depicted by the characters they narrated. 
 
Read if you enjoy: 
📖 Multigenerational stories 
🩶 Explorations of race and identity 
🗣️ Multiple POV 
🫶🏼 Phenomenal storytelling 
❤️ Chinese representation 
 
Real Americas reminded me why multi-generational stores are some of my favorite books. They're packed with so much life that I forget I'm reading something "fictional." If you haven't already, I recommend adding it to your reading list for 2024. 
 
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