WE WERE DREAMERS: AN IMMIGRANT SUPERHE

I have always loved Simu Liu on screen but to hear his heartfelt story made me truly look up to him, as an Asian myself. The struggles and hardships he faced are inspirational and one can certainly take away from every celebrity's life story that fame and fortune don't come easy. Thank you for this Simu 🥰

We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story by Simu Liu was released into the world on May 17, which also happens to be the day that the copy I pre-ordered from Amazon was delivered to my house. I was all set to read it immediately in preparation for meeting Simu that following Sunday, May 22. Alas, his new movie star life got in the way of that and the book signing was rescheduled to June 17 (which also meant that I got distracted by other books in the meantime).Fast forward to June 11, about a week before the book signing. It's 5:00pm and I crack open the book for the first time and start reading. Four pages in, I'm already crying. This is gonna be good. After a quick pause to wipe my tears (and make a post on Instagram about how I was already feeling emotional, of course), I kept reading.And reading.And reading.(Pause to tuck my daughter into bed)And more reading.Suddenly, it's 2:00am.I don't know how I got here. My face is wet with tears, but there's a small smile on my face. I shut the book and clutch it to my chest. I feel all the overwhelming Asian joy that just...exists in the world. It's been a rough couple years for my community, but we're still here. Existing and taking up space. Showing the world that we belong, that we can do anything anyone else can.This book is not your typical Hollywood memoir. Or maybe it is. I'm not sure, I don't think I've read any other Hollywood memoirs to compare it to. But it feels anything but typical.Simu Liu gets vulnerable, telling stories about his past and how he and his family came to the point they are now. General audiences will probably be horrified by some of the events he talks about, but I have a feeling that, like myself, many fellow children of immigrants (especially Asian and specifically Chinese immigrants) won't even bat an eyelash. The stories of his childhood ring eerily similar to mine, lending a very surreal feel to the reading experience.Is this a story that feels self-congratulatory? Not in the slightest. Simu talks very candidly about the struggles that he went through to get to his role of a lifetime - playing the titular master of kung fu, Shang-Chi, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.Will the book hit you in the feels? Yeah, probably. But you'll also laugh out loud. This entire book felt like sitting down with your best friend and just talking about life. And the best life conversations also involve the feels and laughter.One thing that I want to talk about is the fact that, at one point early on (I think Chapter 2?), Simu tells you that he's going to talk about his parents' stories and their journey from China to Canada and gives you an out - you can skip ahead to Chapter 7 if you don't want to read about them. But I highly, highly recommend that you read every single word he writes. The story of his parents gives you much needed background that will inform the decisions they make later and how they raise him.This was a fun, quick read (I obviously read it in 9 hours with very minimal breaks) and will inspire you to get out there and just...do the thing. Whatever it is that you are holding on to, whatever dreams you've been considering pursuing, take a chance on yourself. Put in the effort and believe that you can. You may not get that dream Marvel role you've always wanted......but what if you do?For readers with sensitivities, I find it imperative to note that this book contains mentions of child abuse (both emotional and physical), depression, and thoughts of suicide.

Simu has a way of writing that makes you feel as though you’re there alongside him as he goes through his highs and lows of life.I laughed, cried and cheered my way through this book.As I taught in China for many years, I was able to understand the struggles and challenges that Chinese children have when it comes to education and parent expectations. A lot of students I taught had similar experiences and I learnt more through their stories as well as Simu’s stories.This is a book I could not put down!!I am sad this book is finished but also so happy that I read it.Thank you for sharing your story Simu and encouraging all children alike that anything is possible!!

Around this time last year, I decided to binge-watch every Marvel movie (because at that point I had probably seen, like, 10). Shang-Chi came out in the middle of the pandemic in 2021 and wasn't really talked about much, so I didn't even bat an eye at it and had incredibly low expectations. At first it was just another movie to check off the list, but right from the beginning it absolutely blew me away and is now, hands-down, one of my favorite Marvel movies; a true hidden gem.After Simu appeared on Jeopardy! and this book was promoted in passing, I decided to buy it. I liked Simu from what I saw from him and wanted to support him, so I figured why not? However, like the Shang-Chi movie, I went in with no expectations...but I ABSOLUTELY LOVED it! I'm someone who usually jumps to the end of the chapter before reading it to see how long it is to mentally prepare myself, but I didn't do that once with this book. I didn't even think to stop. It's seldom I find a book I can't put down—so much that I can't remember the last time it's happened to me—but this was definitely one. The stories of Simu and his parents are humbling and awe-inspiring. The book is also just full of playful humor and references that just make it a good time and makes you laugh—all while showing the struggle of trying to make it in Hollywood — a lifestyle we all glamorize way too much—as well as the struggle that immigrants face. It makes you count your own blessings and appreciate the smaller things in life that you absolutely take for granted.The amount of honesty that he lays onto the page as he talks about all aspects of his life is also indescribably appreciated. I know he probably worked with a ghostwriter and editors to write this book but that aside, the words Simu puts onto the page really do seem genuine.I love, love, loved the book. Definitely worth the read—and a re-read at that! It's a beautiful story and just made me love Simu even more than I already did. I look forward to his next project, where I will quietly cheering at his side.

Bought for our child to read but I enjoyed reading it too. Very relatable

This was a great summer read!I felt like I was in every scene.Thanks for sharing YOUR life with us, Simu.