buggie_books 's review for:

Real Americans by Rachel Khong
4.0

Rating this book is so difficult. It was a riveting read but fell short of its promise. As I delved into Real Americans, told through the perspectives of three generations, I found myself engrossed. How the POV changes between the three generations builds an amazing tension that keeps you reading.

My disappointment stemmed from expecting a deeper exploration of the themes. The narrative ambitiously tackles belonging, a mother's love, immigration, privilege, and racism, but the sheer breadth of these subjects left each one feeling underdeveloped. Each compelling observation was quickly abandoned for the next topic, creating a sense of fleeting engagement. Throughout, I sensed the book's potential to offer profound insights, but it ultimately skirted around its most intriguing themes, resulting in a captivating story, yet lacking the depth I craved.