Deciding on my next read is always a challenge for me. There are always too many good choices. I keep an ongoing list on my phone full of recommendations I see online, as well as ones from friends. Real Americans, by Rachel Khong, is not one that I kept on this list. The recommendation came from my Kindle as an advertised book. I don’t usually take these recommendations, but the bold words and vibrant colors of Khong’s cover caught my eye. The title sounded familiar, and I eventually realized where I had heard it before: Booktok.
“Booktok” is the space on TikTok dedicated to sharing book reviews and suggestions. I have a love-hate relationship with the Booktok community, where people love to criticize others’ choice of books. To some people on the platform, if one is not reading a 500-page critically-acclaimed novel for enjoyment, one can’t even consider themself a reader. That is why I don’t always take these suggestions seriously, as I believe reading is supposed to be fun, not a competition. I continuously saw Real Americans being promoted on social media, and seeing the Kindle ad convinced me to give it a try. I’m glad I did, because Real Americans might have become my favorite book of 2024.
Real Americans is a generational story split into three characters’ points of view. This may seem confusing at first, but trust me, it’s worth it. The story begins in Y2K New York City as readers follow the blossoming romance of characters Lily and Matthew. Their story is enthralling and very real. The second part of the story is told from the point of view of Nick Chen, a boy discovering his identity, as well as the identity of his father. He feels that his mother, Lily, might be hiding something.
While the first part felt like a romance, the second part is more of a coming-of-age story. The book wraps up with a final section from the perspective of a woman named Mei, as she attempts to find a life outside of China in the 1960s. Her part of the story comments on the hardships of being a female scientist as well as the discovery of her identity as an immigrant in America.
The novel tackles themes of motherhood, class and self-discovery. It is dense in content, but Khong’s beautiful prose makes the read worthwhile. Just when one thinks she is about to unveil the “secret” of the book, she changes points of view, forcing the reader to keep going. I personally tackled this novel on the beach and sat for five hours straight devouring it. The different sections of the book read as separate stories, and each could have been told with a different ending. Khong seamlessly weaves all the parts together, each one uncovering truths from another. By the end, all loose ends are tied with a satisfying bow. When originally picking up this book, I was unsure of its plot, but I was pleasantly surprised and elated with this story. Khong truly creates an enchanting, page-turning read, which I enjoyed even more than I expected.
Best Spot on Campus to Read This Book: Mendel Holy Grounds
Mei’s story focuses on her scientific discoveries, so Real Americans contains a scientific element. I would recommend truly embracing the plotline and reading it in Villanova’s home for science, Mendel Science Center. Sit down with a cup of coffee at Holy Grounds and get to reading.
