We Were Dreamers audiobook

4.5 starsThis was so inspiring and heartbreaking at the same time. I adore Simu, so I was super excited to read his memoir! And his story is simultaneously really sad and really inspiring. He didn’t have the easiest childhood, that’s for sure, and he’s been through so my h to get where he is today. But I loved listening to his story, and it’s super inspiring to hear a success story from someone who doubted themselves and wander sure if they could ever make their dreams a reality. Simu is a very talented actor and writer and I can’t wait to see what he does in the future! Also, if you’re planning to read this one, I’d highly recommend the audiobook, it’s fanatic and his voice is *chefs kiss* 😍

"I had some very rudimentary understanding of the importance of representation in media and arts before, but watching Kim's Convenience really hit home the value of seeing yourself reflected in the world you live in."°•*⁀➷ There are so many incredible words written into this memoir, but as this is what Simu has consistently stood for in every word he wrote, I think it's easily the most important to highlight. I also wanted to say that while there are so many celebrities I wish I could meet, there are only a select few that it's a goal of mine to actually talk to. To know he was in Syracuse only a few years ago to talk to students and I wasn't there... it just about breaks my heart in half. Missed opportunities, one that I hope will only lead to an opportunity not missed in the future. I can't pinpoint the moment where I realized Simu was different. Every actor is fueled by their heart and their drive, but we all have actors that make us feel seen and recognized more than others. Simu was like that for me. Not because I'm someone of color, but because when I watched Shang-Chi for the first time, I was hooked from the very first minute. I only got into Marvel when Endgame came out, so I'm still relatively new to the stories. I fell in love with Chris Evans acting, and when Simu showed up on screen, I fell in love all the same. There's just something about them that transcends who they're portraying, and makes everything around them feel real. It's magic. I see now that it's because no matter how much he was steered in a different direction, Simu always wanted to be a hero. It may have started as wanting to be an astronaut, but that only makes me love him more. The stars, space and all of their mysteries is one of my favorite things to read about. We have that in common (so does Chris Evans. Since Simu mentioned him, I feel it's only right to give him his rightful place in this review).The story of his parents, while heavy and heart breaking and hard for me to understand, really captured why he's so driven. Why he feels like he's always had to prove himself. Why when his moment came, he went into it with no qualms or regrets. He asked the question "What makes me worthy" and I wrote out simply... because you asked that question. Asking what makes you worthy ALWAYS makes you worthy. It's the idea that even though this roll is what he's dreamed about his entire life, he still asks why he deserves it over anyone else. It's inspiring.I loved that when he wrote of his struggles with a 9-5 job he explained so perfectly what it feels like to be lost in expectations. I love that he wrote, "Whether you like it or not, you're getting better at something every day." And then follows it up with, "No matter what you choose to do with your day, you are either helping to create a new habit or solidifying old ones." To make yourself aware that every action you take doesn't necessarily have a good outcome... I think I really needed to hear that. I think a lot of us do, especially in the wake up a pandemic that allowed us to be lazy in so many ways. I liked Simu before I read this book. I knew there was something about him that was different and regal and special. I knew that with how much I already love Shang-Chi, I would only fall more in love with what he would do to bring the character to life over and over again. But reading this book, seeing his drive and recognizing myself in the heaviness of expectation.... I know I'm going to love him for as long as he chooses to be on the big screen.I hope it's a very long time. I hope one day I'll be able to say I met him and told him how meaningful his journey is. Not only for his community, but for those that want to learn as well. For those that want to tell him his perseverance is just as important as everything else.I love you, Simu. I can't wait to see what you do next.- Paige

Simu Liu has gained worldwide recognition from his work on Kim's Convenience, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and modeling in stock photos (not a joke, he really did). Now he is ready to tell the world about his upbringing and what it took to become a Marvel Superhero. Simu really puts things into perspective when he talks about the struggles of becoming successful and the fears of disappointing his family; all while making jokes and showing gratitude to the people who supported him the most. This was definitely a fun, tearjerker that explains how success takes lots of work. -Alyssa C.

This book was SO good!?!?!?!Charming, smart, thoughtful, relatable, emotional and at times laugh out loud hilarious, I adored this book. I loved learning about Liu's parents and grandparents - their lives, their struggles, their journeys, and it was great learning about Simu's own experiences. Liu was unafraid to get into the ugliness and pain that sometimes accompanies the relationships between second-generation immigrants/third culture kids and their parents. His experiences, his anger, the weight of his parents' expectations was all too relatable, but I enjoyed seeing his growth, his passion, and his fervor for chasing his dreams. It's a moving story about dreams, expectations, and the challenges they present for us. The writing is compelling, and engaging, and I had a hard time putting it down.I'm not sure what I was expecting, but Liu is a great writer, and this book was utterly delightful!

One of the best memoirs and audiobooks I've ever listened to. Simu Liu is an incredible human being with great writing skills and even greater resilience. It's definitely a rags-to-riches type of story, but so well done it gave me goosebumps and brought me to tears. I've loved him when I first saw him on Kim's Convenience, loved him even more when I saw Shang-Chi twice in theaters, and now he's in my top 5 fave actors right next to Robert DeNiro & The Rock after reading this book. TW: familial abuse

“I’m going to be a superhero.” I simp for this man so, of course, I had to read this book. I usually don’t rate memoirs, but as I said I simp for this man so, of course, I had to rate it. I was hoping to relate to his immigrant child issues and pain as he shows a lot on his posts. And boy I did. Simu uses a great balance of humour, charm, emotion, and seriousness to tell his story. At times, I could tell that he was being funny to mask up some pain which made it even more relatable to read. I wished I listened to the audiobook since he narrates it but his writing really sounds like him. It felt like he was a friend verbally telling me this story (hence the audiobook wish). It was so entertaining and difficult for me to put down. I saw a lot of myself in him growing up and his stories (aside from being a Western grad). I have similar memories of disappointing the immigrant parents, the desire to rebel but not too much because parents are scary, imposter syndrome, and not getting the excited reaction one hoped for after great news. There were moments where he verbalized some of my own feelings. It’s wonderful to see where it all started and where he is now.

I loved Simu before I read this book and now I love him even more because of the beautiful and heartbreaking insight this book gave me of his life. If you have yet to read this book, I can't recommend the audiobook enough. The emotion he puts into his storytelling is palpable. It's true when people say that you truly can't know how a person has lived their life until you've talked to them. Looking as his photos and watching him act, I never would have thought that his past was fraught with so much change and abuse. He had an incredibly difficult and complicated relationship with his parents that veered into the abusive. His painful past is a reminder that sometimes immigrant parents put their dreams and expectations on their children to a truly detrimental point. I did love, however, seeing his fight for success. That man did NOT give up until he succeeded. Through years of adulthood depression, procrastination, and disinterest, Simu somehow found his calling and worked his ass off. He is impressive, inspiring, and incredible. Also, I can't believe he is only a day older than me. That made me giggle. I have read some incredibly autobiographies this year and I feel so happy that I've been able to experience them. If you read and/or listen to an autobiography this year, please let this one be one of them! Happy reading!

Amazing memoir and audio was phenomenal! Finished in a few hours.

What, am I just supposed to sit here crying now?? I was lucky enough to see Simu on his book tour and we got our copies of the book that night. I literally had seventy pages read before he even took the stage. I could not read this book fast enough. It is beautiful and heartbreaking and filled with so much love and thoughtfulness. It is brilliant and I think everyone should read it and then follow their dreams. It’s what Simu would want.

I read this for my Boston Asian book club and enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would?? In my circles Simu Liu has a reputation for being a bit of a himbo so I wasn’t sure how I’d react to this memoir. However, I found it a well-written, down-to-earth portrayal of his parents’ immigration from China to Canada as well as his childhood upbringing and his subsequent foray into business and then acting. As the child of Vietnamese immigrants myself, I liked reading about Simu’s parents’ journey and Simu’s raw honesty about the difficult and abusive parts of his childhood. I also felt quite entertained learning about his time working at Deloitte and all the effort he put into developing his acting career. One thing I appreciated in particular is his ability to name when and where he messed up in his life, to face those mistakes instead of covering them up. The main thing I wanted more of was additional reflection on his dynamic with his parents later on in his life. He wrote with candor about what they went through as immigrants as well as their abusive behavior toward him, though I think how he processed those events later in his life felt glossed over. I know in September 2022 he tweeted about going to therapy (not sure if that’s when he first started) so I wonder if there will be even more self-insight into that part of his life later on, whether he wants to share about it publicly or not.

So, I think Simu is a master of craft in the arts. He is underrated and misunderstood! His passion for his people, culture, friendships and life are admirable. He is a go getter and definitely is not shy in sharing his opinions of what he likes in the memoir. His story makes you wanna feel sad for him, but his dumb manor makes you laugh and say karmas a bitch lol. Nonetheless, he is a superhero to himself and others, and a role model to look up to. Never back down from any obstacles you come up against! He is a Marvel Legend; pure Simone in the rough!

Witty and very entertaining.

I received this uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review. ARC provided by HarperCollins Canada and William Marrow.The star of Marvel’s first Asian superhero film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, tells his own origin story of being a Chinese immigrant, his battles with cultural stereotypes and his own identity, becoming a TV star, and landing the role of a lifetime. In this honest, inspiring and relatable memoir, newly-minted superhero Simu Liu chronicles his family's journey from China to the bright lights of Hollywood with razor-sharp wit and humor.We Were Dreamers is more than a celebrity memoir - it's a story about growing up between cultures, finding your family, and becoming the master of your own extraordinary circumstance. This book hit way too close to home for me. Growing up as a CBC (Canadian Born Chinese), with parents immigrating from China, a lot of Simu's parents experience I heard first hand of similar stories from my parents. Simu Liu takes an honest approach to how his life led to where its come. I thought that it really helped put things into perspective when he dedicates the first couple of chapters in the memoir telling his parent's stories. I am able to see him past his character as Jung on Kim's Convenience and Shang-Chi. This is sure to be a memoir that his fans will enjoy, and will connect with many of us whose families immigrated to another country in pursuit of a better life, all the while dealing with cultural differences, identity crisis, and still in search of more representation of us and our cultures.Rating: 4.5/5