Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

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

51 reviews

cinderellasbookshelf's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

I haven’t read enough memoirs lately, so I was so happy that I got to buddy read Simu Liu’s WE WERE DREAMERS via the audiobook with a friend on bookstagram. I had been curious about the actor ever since he was first announced as playing Marvel’s Shang-Chi, and listening to him share his life story (so far) made this a personal read that made me see and appreciate him in a new light.

I should start by saying that I am not usually a crier, but throughout the book, I was hit with a wave of empathy and emotions. I practically had to hold back tears as Liu shared his parents’ backstory - and this was only chapters 2 and 3. His mother’s story especially, and then listening to him get choked up thinking back on his grandparents, who helped raise him in Harbin before he embarked on his new life in Canada with his parents.

Liu talking about growing up in Canada - millennial references and all - had me feeling hilariously nostalgic. These lighter moments however, also conflicted with his difficult relationship with his parents, which he openly discusses. It was the hardest to listen to sometimes and I really respected them for sharing it. In my own Asian household, my parents were not as strict on me, but I understand that pressure and weight to succeed because of all the risks and sacrifices they made. It’s something I hadn’t realized until much later and this book had me reflecting on it again as well as about remembering where you come from.

I really enjoyed listening to him talk about how he first got into acting after starting a career in accounting. It wasn’t glamorous, but scrappy yet full of earnestness, hope, humor, and ambition despite the odds. To see how all of it paid off and where his career is now is amazing. I even mentioned to my friend how I was ready to read more after his Marvel audition until I realized that this is only the beginning of whatever he has ahead.

This was a great read and if you get a chance to pick it up, I highly recommend the audiobook to get the full experience of Simu Liu telling his story.

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fromjuliereads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Usually I don't rate nonfiction but I really enjoyed this book! It was so interesting reading about Simu's past and family's story. Parts were so difficult to read but he mixes humour and serious life experiences so well. I can't wait to see what comes next for his career!

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zee's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced

3.5

Simu Liu's tone is highly conversational, however I found the Americanization of a Canadian memoir to be surprisingly grating. "applying to colleges" (when referencing Universities), "freshman" (first year), "first grade" (grade one)... Even his usage of Craigslist I can't help but wonder if he didn't actually use Kijiji.

The book is split into three major parts: his parents' story, and how the Cultural Revolution impacted their behaviour (sorry, "behavior") and their initial immigration to the West; his formative years with his parents and the abuse and expectations encountered; and finally the struggle to succeed as an actor. I found the deliberate decision to end the book as Shang Chi was getting rolling to be a tad disappointing, as I doubt it was entirely sunshine and roses after all his years of struggle with his identity... Though ultimately that was probably based on the timelines of the deal happening before the Marvel announcement. For all that acts 1 and 2 are raw and emotional, act 3 seemed very rushed. He glosses over the struggles and successes with, essentially, "and then I tried harder and this time it worked."

While a worthwhile story to read of the familial struggles and expectations placed on him as the son of immigrants, overall the book doesn't adequately address why we're reading his particular story and not some other schmuck's with a difficult/abusive parental relationship. I guess it would be better aimed at major Liu fans, which isn't what I expect from a Canada Reads longlist selected memoir.

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