Forbidden Driving Lessons

In a secluded parking lot, Nick attempts to learn stick shift under Timothy's impatient guidance. Despite frequent stalling, Nick is determined to master driving, a skill his mother has forbidden until he turns eighteen. This act of rebellion symbolizes Nick's yearning for independence and escape from his restrictive island life. Timothy, slightly older and more defiant, encourages Nick to challenge his mother's strict rules, hinting at deeper family secrets that Nick is reluctant to confront.

Uncovering Family Secrets

Nick's life is overshadowed by the mystery of his absent father, a subject his mother avoids. Timothy, ever the provocateur, urges Nick to question his mother about his father's identity. The tense conversation reveals that Nick's mother left with him when his father chose not to join them. Learning his father's name, Matthew, ignites a mix of anger and curiosity in Nick, setting him on a path to uncover more about his origins and challenge his mother's protective silence.

DNA Test Revelations

Spurred by Timothy, Nick takes a DNA test to learn more about his heritage. The results show a mix of German, English, Swedish, and Chinese ancestry, but no close relatives. Timothy, predictably, is 100% Ashkenazi Jew. The test leaves Nick with more questions than answers, particularly about his father's side. Despite the lack of immediate revelations, the test symbolizes Nick's quest for identity and belonging, a journey that is just beginning.

College Dreams and Lies

As Nick and Timothy prepare for college, they dream of escaping their small island life. Nick secretly applies to prestigious East Coast schools, using his father's last name, Maier, to boost his chances. He hides this from his mother, who hopes he'll stay closer to home. The deception weighs on Nick, but the allure of a new life is too strong. This chapter highlights the tension between Nick's desire for independence and the guilt of leaving his mother behind, setting the stage for his eventual confrontation with his past.

Meeting the Mysterious Father

In a surprising turn, Nick's father, Matthew, reaches out after discovering their DNA connection. They meet in Seattle, where Matthew is in town for business. The encounter is awkward yet revealing, as Nick sees his own features mirrored in Matthew. Despite the initial excitement, Nick grapples with the reality of his father's absence and the complexities of their newfound relationship. This meeting marks a pivotal moment in Nick's journey, as he begins to reconcile his past with his future.

Navigating New Relationships

As Nick's relationship with his father develops, he also navigates changes in his friendship with Timothy. A college tour brings new experiences and tensions, particularly when Timothy reveals his feelings for Nick. Meanwhile, Nick's interactions with his father become more complicated, as he learns about Matthew's other family and the privileges that come with the Maier name. These dynamics force Nick to confront his own identity and the choices that will shape his future.

College Acceptance and Guilt

Nick receives acceptance letters from prestigious universities, thanks in part to his father's influence. He struggles with the decision to leave his mother behind, knowing it will hurt her. Despite the guilt, Nick is determined to forge his own path, even as he grapples with the implications of his father's wealth and status. This chapter explores the tension between familial obligations and personal aspirations, as Nick prepares to embark on a new chapter of his life.

Graduation and Realizations

As Nick graduates, he reflects on his journey and the relationships that have shaped him. A graduation party brings his family and friends together, highlighting the contrasts between his past and future. Nick's mother, ever supportive, struggles with the impending separation, while Nick comes to terms with his father's absence and the privileges he now has access to. This chapter marks a turning point in Nick's life, as he embraces his identity and the opportunities ahead, ready to face the challenges of adulthood.

Campus Life and Growing Apart

As Nick navigates his new life at college, he struggles with feelings of inadequacy and isolation. His best friend Timothy seems to thrive, making new friends and joining various activities, while Nick feels left behind. The academic pressure is immense, and Nick finds himself questioning his place at the prestigious institution. Despite his efforts to connect with Timothy, their friendship becomes strained as Timothy's new relationships take precedence. Nick's sense of belonging is further challenged by the realization that he is not as prepared as his peers, many of whom come from privileged backgrounds.

Thanksgiving Alone and Family Tensions

With Thanksgiving coinciding with his birthday, Nick decides not to return home, feeling overwhelmed by his academic struggles and the distance growing between him and his mother. He spends the holiday alone on campus, reflecting on his life and the choices that have led him to this point. His father, Matthew, reaches out, but Nick deletes the email, unable to reconcile his feelings of abandonment. The loneliness of the holiday underscores Nick's internal conflict and the guilt he feels about his strained relationship with his mother.

Struggles with Identity and Belonging

As the semester progresses, Nick's insomnia worsens, and he becomes increasingly disconnected from his surroundings. He participates in a sleep study, hoping to find answers, but the results are inconclusive. The experience leaves Nick questioning his identity and the expectations placed upon him. He feels like an outsider, both at college and within his own family. The pressure to succeed and the weight of his father's legacy loom large, complicating Nick's journey of self-discovery and acceptance.

Unexpected Connections and Revelations

During a chance encounter, Nick learns more about his family's past and the genetic experiments that shaped his existence. His grandmother, May, reveals the truth about the scientific interventions that prioritized his father's genes over his mother's. This revelation forces Nick to confront the complexities of his identity and the ethical implications of his family's actions. The newfound knowledge challenges Nick's understanding of himself and his place in the world, prompting him to reevaluate his relationships and future aspirations.

Facing the Past and Moving Forward

Armed with the truth about his family's history, Nick begins to reconcile with his past and the choices that have defined his life. He reaches out to his mother, seeking to mend their relationship and find common ground. As he comes to terms with his identity, Nick embraces the opportunities before him, determined to forge his own path. The journey of self-discovery and acceptance empowers Nick to move forward with a renewed sense of purpose and belonging.

Characters

Nick

Nick is a college student grappling with his identity and the weight of his family's legacy. His journey is marked by a quest for belonging and self-discovery, as he navigates the complexities of his relationships and the expectations placed upon him. Nick's determination to understand his past and forge his own path drives the narrative, highlighting the tension between familial obligations and personal aspirations.

Timothy

Timothy is Nick's childhood friend who thrives in the college environment, quickly making new friends and joining various activities. His success and ease in adapting to college life create a rift between him and Nick, as their friendship becomes strained. Timothy's character serves as a foil to Nick, embodying the confidence and ambition that Nick struggles to find within himself.

Matthew

Matthew is Nick's estranged father, whose reappearance in Nick's life brings both answers and confusion. As a successful venture capitalist, Matthew represents the privileges and challenges of wealth and status. His past decisions and the genetic experiments that shaped Nick's existence are central to the narrative, forcing Nick to confront the complexities of his identity and family history.

Nick's Mother

Nick's mother is a strong, independent woman who has raised Nick on her own, shielding him from the complexities of his father's absence. Her protective nature and strict rules are driven by a deep love for her son, but they also create tension as Nick seeks independence. Her own past and the secrets she keeps play a crucial role in Nick's journey of self-discovery.

Samuel

Samuel is Matthew's son from his current marriage, representing the life and family that Nick was not a part of. His struggles with addiction and the attention he receives from Matthew highlight the complexities of family dynamics and the challenges of living up to expectations. Samuel's presence forces Nick to confront his own feelings of belonging and identity within the Maier family.

May

May is Nick's grandmother, who reveals the truth about the genetic experiments that prioritized Matthew's genes over Nick's mother's. Her character provides crucial insight into the family's past and the ethical implications of their actions. May's remorse and desire for reconciliation highlight the themes of forgiveness and understanding, as Nick seeks to come to terms with his identity and family legacy.

Plot Devices

DNA Testing

The DNA test serves as a pivotal plot device, propelling Nick's journey to uncover the truth about his father. It symbolizes Nick's quest for identity and belonging, as well as the complexities of family relationships. The test results reveal unexpected connections and set the stage for Nick's evolving relationship with Matthew, highlighting the tension between past secrets and future possibilities.

College Applications

Nick's college applications represent his desire to escape his small island life and forge his own path. The process is fraught with deception and guilt, as Nick navigates the expectations of his mother and the privileges afforded by his father's influence. The applications serve as a turning point in Nick's journey, forcing him to confront the choices that will shape his future and the relationships that define him.

Genetic Experiments

The genetic experiments conducted by Nick's family serve as a pivotal plot device, driving the narrative and shaping Nick's journey of self-discovery. These experiments, which prioritized his father's genes, raise ethical questions and force Nick to confront the complexities of his identity. The revelation of these experiments challenges Nick's understanding of himself and his place in the world, prompting him to reevaluate his relationships and future aspirations.

Sleep Study

The sleep study that Nick participates in serves as a metaphor for his internal struggles and search for identity. The inconclusive results mirror Nick's feelings of disconnection and uncertainty, highlighting the tension between his desire for belonging and the expectations placed upon him. The sleep study underscores the themes of self-discovery and acceptance, as Nick grapples with the complexities of his identity and family history.

Analysis

"Real Americans" by Rachel Khong delves into the complexities of identity, family, and the quest for belonging. Through Nick's journey, the novel explores the tension between familial obligations and personal aspirations, highlighting the challenges of navigating relationships and expectations. The narrative examines the impact of secrets and the search for truth, as Nick uncovers the complexities of his family's past and the genetic experiments that shaped his existence. The book underscores the importance of self-discovery and acceptance, as Nick learns to reconcile his past with his future and embrace the opportunities before him. Through its exploration of identity and belonging, "Real Americans" offers a poignant reflection on the human experience and the journey to find one's place in the world.

Last updated: February 11, 2025