Reviews

We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story by Simu Liu

thelibrarian390's review against another edition

5.0

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK. It's a fantastic read about immigration, culture, and family dynamics. It helped me realize that the things I found shameful about my culture as a child are completely normal and while I was a brat for feeling those things, all kids with immigrant families (from new to the country to second gen and beyond) feel them. Parents can change and realize the error of their ways and while you may want to hold a grudge, so long as you don't hold onto that grudge, there's still time to make good and happy memories as long as you don't. Impostor syndrome affects EVERYONE. When you're at absolute rock bottom, reach for that pipedream. It won't be easy, but it'll be worth it.

jess_s23's review against another edition

5.0

Simu is an INCREDIBLE storyteller. This book captured my attention from the first sentence and held it the entire way through.

I’m a huge Marvel fan and I love Kim’s Convenience so I was excited to hear about his life.

I loved how he weaved history, social commentary, his parents’ stories, and his story together. It was so well done and all of it important!

I highly recommend this one!!

Also, Simu and I share an obsession with the Animorphs series - I read it several times through as a kid and am doing a reread now as an adult. So, that means I’m besties with Shang Chi, right? So I’m an honorary Avenger?

kaitray16's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

mrsdarcylynn's review against another edition

5.0

Honestly, I was blown away by this book. Simu Liu outlines his childhood, struggles as a young professional, and his path toward living his dreams in a way that is both honest and moving. I was expecting a cheap “money grab”, selling your story as a book while your name is hot, but what I got was a thoughtful exploration of finding oneself against a backdrop of parental expectations. 

Simu Liu leans into his academic accolades, is an unashamed nerd and jock, and shows himself as a work in progress. 

In the words of a famous vegetable:
I laughed, I cried, it moved me Bob. 

roxymaybe's review against another edition

3.0

Serviceable. His parents' story was more engaging than his own. Didn't really dig in anywhere.

litwithkat's review against another edition

i was trying to finish this in time for a book club but never finished & haven’t felt like picking it back up.

lisamchuk's review against another edition

4.0

I quite like this! I’m a big fan of Kim’s Convenience and like the show and man himself, the story is interesting, heartbreaking, smart and at times funny. I recommend the audiobook narrated by the author - I think you may find it inspiring.

jshapiro12's review against another edition

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

diaryofavietkid's review against another edition

5.0

IF YOU ARE IN ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM ASIAN, THEN YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK. 

tishatjade's review against another edition

inspiring reflective medium-paced

3.5