In 2017, Rachel Khong released her debut novel Goodbye, Vitamin to critical acclaim. In 2024, she followed it with her second novel, a sweeping family saga spanning five decades. Real Americans is a fascinating exploration of what makes us who we are and challenges some of the corrosive myths that underpin America. In this episode of Read This, Michael chats with Rachel about her new book and she shares her thoughts on luck, science, and the ultimate unknowability of each other and sometimes, even ourselves.

Giving birth to a stranger’s baby: the cost of IVF mistakes
14:54

“Deputy Sheriff” Albo’s Wartime Transformation
16:20

“The Law of the Jungle”: How Trump’s war is causing chaos
16:35