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applechai 's review for:
Real Americans
by Rachel Khong
More like a 3.5 - I liked it !
I have so many feelings about this book. When I first picked it up, I had no idea what the premise was going to be (it was a hardcover copy missing its dustjacket). I expected it to be something like a memoir or nonfiction, so when I actually started reading it, every twist the narrative went took me by complete surprise.
But the writing hooked me, and I spent almost an entire day just reading in anticipation of what would come next.
I grew up at the exact same time as Nick, so while I can recognize all of the age and era specific cultural references, I can also tell when things are written ever so slightly off. There are a few extremely minor inaccuracies, like the way Nick refers to gaming consoles, how the college application/acceptance process is described (pet peeve), how various modern high school processes work, etc. It's not a big deal, but every time I notice it I'm reminded that the author isn't actually one of us. Of course, that being said, Nick's section was probably still my favorite to read.
I wish the book got to further explore the themes it purports to talk about. I feel like many interesting things get commented on earlier in the text, but then are never addressed in their entirety. I still have so many questions, and not just plot related ones.
Also, I liked the part where Matthew is wearing a mask. Nice touch.
I have so many feelings about this book. When I first picked it up, I had no idea what the premise was going to be (it was a hardcover copy missing its dustjacket). I expected it to be something like a memoir or nonfiction, so when I actually started reading it, every twist the narrative went took me by complete surprise.
But the writing hooked me, and I spent almost an entire day just reading in anticipation of what would come next.
I grew up at the exact same time as Nick, so while I can recognize all of the age and era specific cultural references, I can also tell when things are written ever so slightly off. There are a few extremely minor inaccuracies, like the way Nick refers to gaming consoles, how the college application/acceptance process is described (pet peeve), how various modern high school processes work, etc. It's not a big deal, but every time I notice it I'm reminded that the author isn't actually one of us. Of course, that being said, Nick's section was probably still my favorite to read.
I wish the book got to further explore the themes it purports to talk about. I feel like many interesting things get commented on earlier in the text, but then are never addressed in their entirety. I still have so many questions, and not just plot related ones.
Also, I liked the part where Matthew is wearing a mask. Nice touch.