Reviews

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

natashadb's review

5.0

Immensely relatable for me. Being a first gen kid in North America, growing up in a strict household where you're expected to get straight A's. Being forced into piano lessons, parents working all the time to make sure bills were paid. To growing up being one of the few asian kids and learning how to speak up for yourself since that's not how you're raised. I enjoyed this a lot and loved seeing Simu's journey.

_xsngo's review

inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.5

fkshg8465's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

This was an important story for him to talk on multiple levels because he didn’t write the book for himself or just to talk about his life. He did it for me and for every Asian immigrant and their families. I recognized a lot of parallels with my own life story. And I’m grateful for the book and happy for her professional and family successes. The only reason I didn’t give this a full five stars is because I read it while listening to the audio at the same time. His acting didn’t translate well as just a voiceover - at least not for me. I think it’s one of the only memories I wish I hadn’t listened to. He’s definitely a better actor than what the audiobook suggests. It felt over produced and over perfected, or maybe it felt like a project he fit in between his many gigs. I’m sureI would’ve liked it a million times better if I’d stick to the digital only. And yeah, I did love him on Kim’s Convenience. He and Appa were my favorite characters.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism

abzhozay's review

inspiring medium-paced

5.0

I loved following Simu Liu years ago watching Kim's Convenience, Wong Fu Productions, then eventually, Shang-Chi! Loved learning about his upbringing into the person he is today. Some aspects I related to, and some other aspects, I'm truly grateful I've never had to experience them. Although reading this book doesn't make me know him personally, he seems like such a genuine person who grew up to a hardworking, ambitious actor that is great advocate for the asian american community & that is truly inspiring!

tasa46's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.5

evawondergem's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Child abuse

nyeargh's review

2.0

2.5

Appreciate the representation and could relate a lot to his story… but I don’t know if it warrants a whole book? To be honest, I’m a bit confused why this fared so well and has such high ratings. It’s not that this is bad, but I’ve read other memoirs of those with similar upbringings and they were just better.

It had a strong start, but I got less and less interested as the book went on.The ending seemed rushed (with no real explanation of how his relationship with his parents was repaired) and focused a LOT on his ambition/hard work that led up to the Marvel role. I get that’s his biggest moment and a natural place to end the book, but this whole focus on fulfilling the American dream was a bit… corny? Uncreative? Idk.

Not by any means a bad read, but not a good read. Somewhere in between.

murasaki_egawa's review against another edition

emotional funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

jarretm604's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

erinbc's review

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

4.5