Thanks to @aaknopf for a copy of Real Americans by Rachel Khong. I enjoyed this multigenerational family story. It begins with Lily, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, living in NYC, where she meets Matthew, whose family’s wealth comes from the pharmaceutical industry. Later, it jumps to Nick, Lily’s son, who lives in Washington with his single mom and suspects she’s hiding something. The final section gives us May’s perspective, Lily’s mother.

This book explores family dynamics and the tensions that arise between generations, especially around cultural differences. Lily, raised in the U.S., feels disconnected from her Chinese heritage, while May is reluctant to open up about her past. Nick, who is biracial but presents as white, grapples with his own identity. I thought the themes were explored with care and nuance, and the plot itself kept me engaged. I recommend this one!