Real Americans by Rachel Khong

 I read Real Americans by Rachel Khong because Lisa recommended it. 

What we have here is a multi-generational immigrant story. We start with Lily Chen who is interning in New York City at the turn of the century. She falls in love with a white man and they start a family together. Then in the second part of the novel, we speed ahead in time to pandemic era Seattle where we learn about Lily's son Nick. In the third part of the novel, we're traveling ahead in time to catch up with Lily's mother, Nick's grandmother, a woman originally from China who became as successful scientist in the United States, but maybe wasn't as successful in her personal life. 

I found this a difficult book to get into. Lily was sort of a non-character at first. But then, suddenly, I wanted to learn more. I wanted to learn about Lily's past and what she hoped for herself in the future. I wanted to know what her parenting philosophy would be and how it would be different from her own parents. I wanted to know things about Lily. And we sort of go there, but then it switched to talk about Nick, who was an interesting character in his own right, but I wanted Lily's story.

And that's what it comes down to for me. This was a good book, but it wasn't a great book. I wanted it to go deeper into Lily. I wanted her to talk about race and what it was like to be married to a white man and have a child who didn't look anything like her. I wanted to know her feelings about her estranged mother and ex-husband. I wanted to know if she ever thought about her relationship with her mother and what it demonstrated for own son. I wanted to know more about Lily. Why didn't she ask her own parents more questions? What were her ambitions in life? And that's all before we get to Lily's mother's story. 

I think this is the reason I prefer plot-driven stories, to be honest. This was a character-driven story and it was GOOD. But it would have to be five times as long as it was if it were to answer all the questions I still had about the characters after I closed the book cover. 

4/5 stars

Line of note:

There were things about Timothy I wished would rub off on my - most of all his ease in who he was. He never seemed to experience the uncertainty I felt. It was as though he'd emerged from the womb perfectly secure in who he would be and what he was capable of, like a giraffe that could stan an hour after being born. (page 171)

Hat mentions (why hats?): 

...I dodged tourists wearing backpacks and bucket hats, holding red bags from the discount designer store. (page 8)

As I walked to the stage to collect my diploma, my hat slid further down, looking silly, like I was poking fun at the ritual. (page 39)

She wore a sun hat with an enormous brim. (page 85)

...who tipped an imaginary hat. (page 169)

She stood in the doorway of my dorm, wearing a knitted hat and scarf of matching, multicolored yarn. (page 211)
...a shopping bag revealed to contain a hat, gloves, and a down comforter. (page 211)