Monday, July 15, 2024

Monday Moments - Real Americans by Rachel Khong


1999 -  Lily Chen, an unpaid intern, meets Mathew in New York City. He's heir to a vast fortune. She's the only child of  scientists who fled Mao's China. They fall in love despite differences. 

In 2021, Nick Chen, age fifteen, feels like an outsider on an isolated Washington state island. He senses his mother Lily is hiding  something and he decides to seek out his biological father. Note - Nick, while half Asian, is a tall blond haired blue eyed kid. 

cover blurb - In immersive, moving  prose, Rachel Khong's Real Americans weaves a profound tale  of class and striving, race and visibility, and family and  inheritance, a story of trust, forgiveness, and finally coming home.  This book is an inquiry into  the forces that roil our new century: Are we destined or made?  And, if the latter, who gets to  do the making? 

I found this book to offer a different perspective on culture, race, past, and present. I really liked the characters and the author presented the various clashing issues well as our characters worked their way through life. Secrets emerge. Feeling  are  hurt. People reconnect. Family can be very complicated. 


4 comments:

  1. You said it - family is complicated.

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    1. Indeed. And her story is well written with rich characters and deep emotions.

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  2. Hi Joanne - I'd love to read this ... but only just come out and I'll wait til the library has it ... cheers - excellent one to post about. Hilary

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    1. Always happy to be of service. And a really well done thinking kind of story is a service. Enjoy!

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