Real Americans by Rachel Khong
An exhilarating novel about American identity that spans three generations in one family, and asks: What makes us who we are? How inevitable are our futures? In immersive, moving prose, Rachel Khong weaves a profound tale of class and striving, race and visibility, and family and inheritance — a story of trust, forgiveness, and finally coming home. Real Americans is a social novel par excellence that asks: Are we destined, or made? And if we are made, who gets to do the making?
- Last updated: October 24, 2025
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Looking for reviews, author bios, and discussion questions to stimulate conversation? We’ve compiled these for you!
Kirkus describes this book as bold, thoughtful, and delicate at once, addressing life’s biggest questions through artfully crafted scenes and characters.
London Public Library has prepared eight great thought-provoking questions that will spark discussion about the author’s motivations, character motivations, and more.
'Real Americans' asks: What could we change about our lives?
Rachel Khong's new novel explores who gets to be 'Real Americans'.
Khong speaks with Orion about inheritance, family, and her most recent novel, 'Real Americans'.
Biography from the author’s website.
This reader’s guide includes questions and topics for book club discussion, as well as a suggested reading list.
This multigenerational tale travels from China to New York in search of the true meaning of good fortune.
Lucy Feldman meets the author in her Californian home to discuss the marriage of food and fiction.