kix_girl's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of my favorite books. If someone needed a recommendation, I would say this book. I laughed. I cried. I had so many emotions and feelings reading this. I was born in the US and so I can’t relate to everything that was written, but the thing that hit the most was the academics. I’m the youngest of five and I constantly felt that I had to match all my older siblings. It takes me forever to write a solid essay or get math and science done, but the one thing that comes easily to me is art. It’s always clicked for me and I always felt that I needed a cooperate job or a 9 to 5 to be successful and to be what my parents wanted me to be.
One of the lines that stuck with me most is “Sometimes you have to rock the boat a little, and other times…we’ll, you’ve just gotta ditch the boat and find a new one.” I’m 22 and I got my degree in photography and I might go and get one for interior design. My sister is 26 and is going back for a surgical tech/assistant position. Her boyfriend is also going back to school. My other sister whose 33 has roamed around from library to library. My other whose 31 went from one insurance company to another and is thinking of starting a coffee cart. We aren’t letting our parents stop us from happiness. We are grateful for what they have taught us and we will remember that, but it’s time for us to essentially follow our dreams.
One of the lines that stuck with me most is “Sometimes you have to rock the boat a little, and other times…we’ll, you’ve just gotta ditch the boat and find a new one.” I’m 22 and I got my degree in photography and I might go and get one for interior design. My sister is 26 and is going back for a surgical tech/assistant position. Her boyfriend is also going back to school. My other sister whose 33 has roamed around from library to library. My other whose 31 went from one insurance company to another and is thinking of starting a coffee cart. We aren’t letting our parents stop us from happiness. We are grateful for what they have taught us and we will remember that, but it’s time for us to essentially follow our dreams.
paperdreamsblog's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
peixotodust's review against another edition
5.0
I never wanted this book to end.
I’ve been a huge fan of Simu since watching Kim’s Convenience so when he was introduced as Shang Chi, I screamed. And then he announced his book and I just couldn’t believe how talented he is.
Hearing his story felt so relatable even though we are of different nationalities but the similarities of immigrant parents was so true. The feelings of having to prove yourself to your parents, to exceed their expectations while also trying to fulfill your own.
I applaud him for sharing his story and I hope he continues to write because he has such a gift.
Reread: Read it again along with the audiobook and absolutely loved the way Simu reads his own memoir. You can tell when something pains him and makes you feel the same emotions he felt during that time. So beautifully done.
I’ve been a huge fan of Simu since watching Kim’s Convenience so when he was introduced as Shang Chi, I screamed. And then he announced his book and I just couldn’t believe how talented he is.
Hearing his story felt so relatable even though we are of different nationalities but the similarities of immigrant parents was so true. The feelings of having to prove yourself to your parents, to exceed their expectations while also trying to fulfill your own.
I applaud him for sharing his story and I hope he continues to write because he has such a gift.
Reread: Read it again along with the audiobook and absolutely loved the way Simu reads his own memoir. You can tell when something pains him and makes you feel the same emotions he felt during that time. So beautifully done.
tinumoriel's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Harper Collins Canada for providing me with an ARC of Simu Liu’s book!
I devoured the book in less than two days. Simu is an incredibly entertaining but serious writer. He was so honest and funny that I couldn’t put it down!
Simu talks about his childhood growing up with his grandparents, and talks about how his parents grew up in China and how they became the people & parents they are today. He goes into detail about his childhood when he moved to Canada and how his experience was with his parents not understanding him and his desires. He talks about his time in high school, at university, and all the shenanigans he got himself into and how he grew up. Simu goes very in-depth into his emotional experiences and how much he just wanted to be loved. At times I felt absolutely heartbroken for him.
His words about his career and his drive for Asian representation in media are very inspiring. I very much enjoyed reading about his life story (so far) and I couldn’t be more proud of a fellow immigrant and Torontonian doing what they love!
This is a great book, and even if you don’t read biographies (like me), I think you’ll find at least one thing you’ll like about this book.
I devoured the book in less than two days. Simu is an incredibly entertaining but serious writer. He was so honest and funny that I couldn’t put it down!
Simu talks about his childhood growing up with his grandparents, and talks about how his parents grew up in China and how they became the people & parents they are today. He goes into detail about his childhood when he moved to Canada and how his experience was with his parents not understanding him and his desires. He talks about his time in high school, at university, and all the shenanigans he got himself into and how he grew up. Simu goes very in-depth into his emotional experiences and how much he just wanted to be loved. At times I felt absolutely heartbroken for him.
His words about his career and his drive for Asian representation in media are very inspiring. I very much enjoyed reading about his life story (so far) and I couldn’t be more proud of a fellow immigrant and Torontonian doing what they love!
This is a great book, and even if you don’t read biographies (like me), I think you’ll find at least one thing you’ll like about this book.
rebelqueen's review against another edition
4.0
Great memoir from Simu Liu. From rebellious teen growing up in a strict immigrant family to super hero. I really liked learning about Liu’s experience as an Asian man in Hollywood.
_lianalopez's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the insights Simu gave into being displaced from China and the struggles faced for any migrant in the Western world.
Found parts to be very relatable as he described his experiences and the expectations placed on Asian children by their parents.
Was a fun read as he placed humour into the story telling and love having representation of BIPOC creatives out there.
Found parts to be very relatable as he described his experiences and the expectations placed on Asian children by their parents.
Was a fun read as he placed humour into the story telling and love having representation of BIPOC creatives out there.