by Eliana H.

Nature versus nurture is a discussion that has been happening throughout most, if not all, of our scientific history. What are the components that form us as people – who we are and who we become? In Real Americans, author Rachel Khong explores this age-old argument in a new way, spanning across three generations of a single family. 

After a scene-setting prologue that is explained in more depth toward the end of the book, readers meet Lily Chen, who is barely eking out a life in New York City as the world braces for a new millennium and the potential hazards of Y2K. She grew up in Florida, raised by scientists who fled China during the Cultural Revolution. At a holiday party hosted by the media company where she is an unpaid intern, Lily unexpectedly meets Matthew, her boss’ nephew. Despite their many differences and Lily’s hesitations over these differences, Lily and Matthew fall in love. Only as they are poised to get married does Lily learn just how wide the gulf is between her own upbringing and Matthew’s. He is not only wealthy; Matthew is the heir to a pharmaceutical family fortune and has been using a different last name to distance himself from them. After a number of miscarriages, Lily and Matthew are able to use IVF to conceive, but shortly after their son is born, Lily discovers a secret connection between her mother and Matthew’s father. She refuses to remain connected with either of their parents and forces Matthew to choose between them. 

The book then jumps to 2021, shifting to the perspective of Nick, the child Lily has moved across the country and raised on her own, now 15 years old. After growing up believing that his father wants nothing to do with him, a turn of events leads to Nick suddenly being able to connect with the father he’s never known. As he deals with growing up, coming of age, and choosing a college, Nick finds himself lying to his mother with barely a thought while struggling to find his place and identity. Events come to a head with Nick confronting both of his parents, and eventually choosing to disconnect from each of them in turn. 

The final section of Real Americans moves further forward to 2030, where readers find Mei, Lily’s mother, following her grandson around San Francisco. Nick is working for a biotechnology startup, and Mei is reflecting on her own life and the choices that have brought her to this point. After an encounter in a drug store, Nick begins spending time with his grandmother. Mei shares her story with Nick, asking him to pass along her words to Lily in hopes of reconnecting. Mei’s tale brings the family’s story full circle, and lingering questions are answered. 

Throughout each generation, members of the Chen family find themselves grappling with what level of choice and control we should have over genetic characteristics in ourselves and future generations. What would it look like to be able to screen out “undesirable” traits? What would the repercussions be? What are our responsibilities? An element of seeming magic, particularly relating to time, also threads through the book. Although portions of the story are somewhat predictable, Real Americans offers a sweeping family epic that invites readers to consider ethical questions which may become pressing sooner rather than later. If you are able to suspend some disbelief, you will find yourself carried along through the ebbs and flows of a multifaceted family as you ponder the origins of fortune for each of us. 

Real Americans by Rachel Khong is available in print, large print, e-book, and e-audiobook.

Eliana is a Children’s Instructor and Research Specialist at the Elkridge Branch and co-chair of the HCLS Equity Committee. She loves reading, even if she’s slow at it, and especially enjoys helping people find books that make them light up. She also loves being outside and spending time with friends and family (when it’s safe).