Real Americans Summary, Characters and Themes
“Real Americans” by Rachel Khong is a poignant and layered exploration of identity, family, and the generational impact of political upheaval. The novel intricately brings together the lives of three generations of the Chen family—Lily, her son Nick, and her mother May—spanning continents and decades.
Through their intertwined stories, Khong delves into the complex legacy of Mao’s Cultural Revolution on Chinese scientists and the struggles faced by first- and second-generation Chinese American immigrants as they navigate their place in America, their relationships, and their own personal histories.
Summary
The novel unfolds in three distinct parts, each narrated by a member of the Chen family. The first section introduces us to Lily Chen, a young Chinese American woman navigating the post-college landscape with an art history degree and few prospects. She juggles an unpaid internship at a major media company and a series of odd jobs to make ends meet.
At a company Christmas party, Lily meets Matthew Maier, a wealthy and charming man who quickly sweeps her off her feet. Their whirlwind romance includes an impulsive trip to Paris, and despite their differences in race and class, Lily finds herself deeply drawn to him.
However, as their relationship progresses, Lily becomes acutely aware of the socioeconomic gap between them. Matthew’s reluctance to introduce her to his family exacerbates her insecurities, leading her to break things off. Yet, their paths cross again, and Lily eventually moves in with Matthew.
Their relationship culminates in a marriage proposal, which Lily accepts despite the challenges they face in conceiving a child. After undergoing in vitro fertilization, Lily gives birth to their son, Nico, while accompanying Matthew on a work trip to China. The birth is complicated—Nico is born prematurely and bears little resemblance to his Chinese heritage, which unsettles both Lily and her mother, May.
The story then shifts to Nick, who now goes by Nico, and his life as a high schooler living with Lily on a remote island in Washington State. He dreams of escaping their isolated existence and attending college on the East Coast. Raised with little knowledge of his father, Nick’s curiosity about his heritage leads him to take a DNA test, which connects him to Matthew.
A tentative relationship forms between them, with Matthew assisting Nick in his college applications, which Nick keeps hidden from Lily.
Nick’s journey to Yale brings significant changes—he drifts away from his best friend Timothy and grapples with his complicated feelings towards Matthew, who has another son that Nick perceives as his father’s “real” child.
The revelation that his maternal grandparents were involved in experimental genetic research adds another layer to Nick’s internal conflict, leading him to sever ties with Matthew and chart his own path.
In the final section, the narrative rewinds to May’s early life in China. A brilliant student, May’s academic career is disrupted by the Cultural Revolution. She and her boyfriend Ping are exiled to the countryside, but May eventually escapes with another student, Wen, to Hong Kong.
The two later immigrate to the United States, where they establish a research lab and work on controversial genetic experiments with Otto Maier, Matthew’s father.
The novel concludes with Nick reconnecting with May, now seriously ill, and Lily, who has distanced herself from her mother.
As May nears the end of her life, Lily returns, signaling a long-awaited reconciliation.
Characters
Lily Chen
Lily Chen, the daughter of Chinese immigrants, embodies the complexities of navigating multiple identities. As an art history major, she starts her adult life with limited career prospects, reflecting the challenges faced by many children of immigrants who pursue paths less traditionally esteemed by their parents.
Her relationship with Matthew Maier, a wealthy man of European descent, highlights her internal conflict between her aspirations and her cultural and social realities. Although she is initially dazzled by Matthew’s affluence and the life he offers, Lily grapples with her own insecurities about her background.
Her decision to end the relationship due to feeling judged for her lack of wealth speaks to her deep-seated desire for authenticity and self-worth. Lily’s struggles with infertility, her strained relationship with her mother, May, and the complex feelings she harbors towards her son, Nico, further underscore her sense of disconnection from both her cultural roots and her place in her new life.
Over time, Lily’s journey becomes one of reconciliation, as she tries to come to terms with her past and the choices she has made. Ultimately, she seeks closure and understanding, especially with her mother.
Nick Chen (Nico)
Nick Chen, or Nico as he is initially known, serves as a bridge between generations, carrying the weight of his parents’ histories while trying to forge his own identity. Born of mixed heritage, with his father’s European features and his mother’s Chinese lineage, Nick represents the physical and cultural blending of two worlds.
His upbringing on a remote island with his single mother, Lily, contributes to his sense of isolation, both geographically and emotionally. Nick’s journey is marked by a quest for identity, as seen in his decision to take a DNA test and reconnect with his estranged father, Matthew.
This reconnection is fraught with tension, as Nick wrestles with feelings of inadequacy and the desire for paternal approval. The revelation of his father’s involvement in the genetic manipulation that led to his mother’s infertility adds a layer of complexity to Nick’s understanding of his family history.
As he navigates college life and the challenges of young adulthood, Nick is ultimately driven by a need to assert his independence and establish his own path. Yet, he remains haunted by the legacies of both his parents.
May Chen
May Chen, the matriarch of the Chen family, embodies the resilience and determination of a woman shaped by the tumultuous events of China’s Cultural Revolution. Born into a farming family, May’s intelligence and ambition lead her to Peking University, where she becomes involved in genetic research.
Her experiences during the Cultural Revolution, including persecution and forced labor, profoundly impact her worldview and drive her desire to leave China for the United States. May’s decision to leave with Wen instead of her true love, Ping, reflects her pragmatic approach to survival, prioritizing security over personal happiness.
In the United States, May continues her genetic research, collaborating with Otto Maier on ethically questionable experiments that have lasting repercussions on her own family. Her strained relationship with Lily is rooted in the sacrifices and choices she made, choices that Lily struggles to understand or forgive.
As May nears the end of her life, she is portrayed as a woman burdened by regret and longing for reconciliation, particularly with her daughter. Her final moments, shared with Nick and Lily, suggest a tentative resolution to the conflicts that have defined her life.
Matthew Maier
Matthew Maier is a complex character whose actions are driven by both privilege and a genuine desire to connect with his son, Nick. As a member of a wealthy and influential family, Matthew’s life is shaped by the expectations and pressures of his social class.
His initial reluctance to introduce Lily to his family highlights his internalized biases and the societal divide between them. Despite this, Matthew’s relationship with Lily is marked by moments of genuine affection, and their eventual breakup is as much a result of external pressures as it is of their personal differences.
Matthew’s estrangement from Nick is rooted in the consequences of the genetic experiments that his family was involved in. These experiments directly impacted Nick’s mother and shaped the course of his life.
Despite this troubled history, Matthew attempts to build a relationship with Nick, offering him opportunities that come with strings attached. His decision to help Nick dissolve the biotech company’s gene-editing project at the end of the novel shows a shift in his character, indicating a desire to right some of the wrongs of the past and to protect his son from the moral pitfalls he himself has faced.
Wen Chen (Charles)
Wen Chen, later known as Charles, is a more understated character, yet he plays a crucial role in the narrative. As May’s husband and Lily’s father, he represents stability and the traditional immigrant narrative of seeking a better life in the United States.
Wen’s love for May is sincere, though perhaps unreciprocated to the same degree, as May continues to harbor feelings for Ping. Wen’s character is emblematic of the sacrifices and compromises that immigrants often make, particularly in the pursuit of a stable, prosperous life in a new country.
His decision to change his name to Charles is indicative of his willingness to assimilate and adapt to his new environment, even as his wife remains more connected to their past in China. Wen’s partnership with May in their genetic research signifies his intellectual ambitions, yet he also becomes complicit in the ethical transgressions that arise from their work with Otto Maier.
Wen’s death leaves a void in the family, one that is felt in the strained relationships that persist after his passing.
Ping
Ping is a pivotal yet elusive figure in May’s life, representing the path not taken and the sacrifices made in the name of survival. As May’s first love and colleague at Peking University, Ping is deeply involved in the same genetic research that defines much of May’s later life.
His fate during the Cultural Revolution and his influence on May’s decisions remain a haunting presence throughout the novel. While Ping does not have a direct narrative voice in the story, his significance is felt through May’s memories and the impact of their shared past on her subsequent choices.
Ping’s character serves as a reminder of the personal and political turmoil of that era in China. His unresolved relationship with May adds depth to her character, illustrating the lingering impact of her early life on her later actions and relationships.
Otto Maier
Otto Maier is a somewhat shadowy figure in the novel, representing the intersection of science, ethics, and power. As Matthew’s father and a key collaborator in the genetic experiments that shape the Chen family’s story, Otto’s role is critical yet morally ambiguous.
His work with May on gene-editing experiments, which have profound implications for their children, raises questions about the ethical boundaries of scientific research. Otto’s influence extends beyond his direct involvement in the experiments, as his legacy continues to affect the lives of both his son, Matthew, and his grandson, Nick.
The consequences of Otto’s actions are a central theme in the novel, highlighting the ways in which scientific advancements can have unintended and far-reaching impacts on individuals and families.
Themes
Intergenerational Trauma and the Legacy of Scientific Ethics
“Real Americans” by Rachel Khong intricately explores the theme of intergenerational trauma, particularly as it relates to the ethical implications of scientific experimentation across generations. The novel delves into the psychological and emotional toll that the decisions and actions of one generation can have on the next, especially when those decisions are rooted in scientific hubris and ethical compromise.
The story of May, who participated in controversial genetic research during the Cultural Revolution, forms the backbone of this theme. Her involvement in experiments that sought to manipulate the genetic inheritance of future generations not only impacts her own life but reverberates through the lives of her daughter, Lily, and her grandson, Nick.
This scientific tampering, intended to benefit humanity, instead becomes a source of deep-seated trauma and identity crises for her descendants. The novel underscores the moral complexities and unintended consequences of scientific advancements, particularly when they intersect with personal and familial identities.
This theme is further complicated by the cultural and historical context of the Cultural Revolution, which adds layers of political and ideological trauma to the personal struggles of the characters. The narrative suggests that the pursuit of scientific progress, when divorced from ethical considerations, can lead to a legacy of pain and alienation that transcends generations.
The Intersection of Race, Class, and Identity in the Immigrant Experience
Khong’s novel also presents a nuanced examination of the intersection of race, class, and identity within the context of the Chinese American immigrant experience. The characters of Lily, Nick, and May navigate the complexities of their identities as they straddle the cultural divide between their Chinese heritage and their American realities.
For Lily, this struggle is most apparent in her relationship with Matthew Maier, where racial and class differences create an underlying tension that ultimately disrupts their bond. The narrative highlights how these intersections shape Lily’s self-perception and her sense of belonging in a society that often views her through the dual lenses of race and economic status.
The challenge of reconciling these facets of identity is also central to Nick’s story. Born with physical traits that align him more with his father’s Western heritage, Nick grapples with feelings of disconnection from his Chinese roots.
His journey is emblematic of the broader struggle faced by many second-generation immigrants, who must navigate the often conflicting demands of their dual identities.
The novel portrays this struggle as not merely a personal one but as deeply embedded in the social and cultural fabric of American society, where race and class are inextricably linked, and where the immigrant experience is often fraught with feelings of inadequacy and alienation.
The Burden of Parental Expectations and the Search for Individual Autonomy
Another central theme in “Real Americans” is the burden of parental expectations and the subsequent search for individual autonomy.
The novel intricately explores how the ambitions and desires of parents can weigh heavily on their children, shaping their choices and limiting their sense of freedom.
May’s expectations for her daughter Lily, born from her own sacrifices and the pressures of her immigrant journey, create a fraught relationship marked by misunderstanding and emotional distance. May’s unfulfilled aspirations, coupled with the trauma of her past, are projected onto Lily, who struggles to carve out her own identity separate from her mother’s expectations.
This theme is further explored in Nick’s narrative, where the expectations of his estranged father, Matthew, and the weight of his family’s scientific legacy create a complex web of obligations and pressures.
Nick’s decision to distance himself from both his father and his mother’s past reflects his desire to break free from these inherited burdens and to define his own path.
The novel suggests that the quest for autonomy is both a personal and generational struggle, as each character grapples with the legacy of their parents’ choices and the impact of those choices on their own lives.
The Ethical Dilemmas of Genetic Manipulation and the Concept of ‘Real’ Identity
At the heart of “Real Americans” lies a profound exploration of the ethical dilemmas surrounding genetic manipulation and the concept of what constitutes ‘real’ identity.
The novel raises critical questions about the boundaries of scientific intervention in human genetics and the moral implications of altering the very fabric of what makes us who we are.
May’s involvement in Otto Maier’s genetic experiments serves as a focal point for these ethical quandaries.
The experiments, which aim to skew the genetic inheritance of children to favor certain traits, blur the line between natural and artificial identity, challenging the characters’ understanding of what it means to be truly themselves.
The novel interrogates the notion of ‘realness’ in identity, particularly through Nick’s experience. As someone born out of these genetic manipulations, Nick’s struggle with his sense of self is deeply intertwined with the knowledge of how his very existence was engineered.
This theme is further complicated by the contrasting perspectives of the different generations, each grappling with the implications of these experiments in their own way.
The narrative suggests that the pursuit of scientific ‘progress’ can lead to profound ethical and existential dilemmas, forcing individuals to confront the unsettling question of whether their identities are the result of nature, nurture, or manipulation.
The novel’s conclusion, with Nick and Matthew’s attempt to prevent further unethical genetic editing, serves as a commentary on the importance of maintaining ethical boundaries in the face of scientific ambition. It also reflects the enduring quest for a sense of ‘real’ identity in a world increasingly shaped by technological intervention.