We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story

Written by Simu Liu

Narrated by Simu Liu

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.

Simu's parents left him in the care of his grandparents, then brought him to Canada when he was four. Life as a Canuck, however, is not all that it was cracked up to be; Simu's new guardians lack the gentle touch of his grandparents, resulting in harsh words and hurt feelings. His parents, on the other hand, find their new son emotionally distant and difficult to relate to - although they are related by blood, they are separated by culture, language, and values. 

As Simu grows up, he plays the part of the pious child flawlessly - he gets straight A's, crushes national math competitions and makes his parents proud. But as time passes, he grows increasingly disillusioned with the path that has been laid out for him. Less than a year out of college, at the tender age of 22, his life hits rock bottom when he is laid off from his first job as an accountant. Left to his own devices, and with nothing left to lose, Simu embarks on a journey that will take him far outside of his comfort zone into the world of show business. 

Through a swath of rejection and comical mishaps, Simu's determination to carve out a path for himself leads him to not only succeed as an actor, but also to open the door to reconciling with his parents.

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.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: May 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9780063046528

Simu Liu

Simu Liu is an actor and writer best known for his work on Marvel Studios’ Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, in five seasons of the beloved family sitcom Kim’s Convenience, and for manifesting his dreams into existence with a Tweet. He wishes he had tweeted for something a bit better - like world peace, or for his parents to finally say “I love you”. He lives in Los Angeles, Toronto, and wherever the best tax credits for film production are. 

Reviews for We Were Dreamers

[Lupita Carrillo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is honest and beautiful and inspiring AF I love it soooo much. It’s a MUST

[Maria Velissa Dayo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this audio book!!! Simu Liu is the best person to have read his own memoir. His voice had managed to show all his deeply-felt emotions. Nobody else could have done that but him. I laughed out loud, cried, felt frustrated and angry, and triumphant in the different parts of the book. You’re really a superhero, Shang Chi!

[ByChocoCoco Handmade pieces · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Made me think a lot of good stuff with my family ❤️. I enjoyed the book a lot ?

[Aaron Tworek · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

FANTASTIC!!! A great memoir and is more of an impact when read by the author themselves.

[Gokul Ananth · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Motivation and tears filled my heart while I complete this book. One day I feel like I can tell my own story to the world no matter who I am and where I came from. The world needs this story man. Love you brother ❤️

[Alissa Toh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Yayyy finished it. It was greatly narrated and it was nice and not nice to know toxic en exists in other families

[Sr. Pritzel Diseño · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing book. Very heart warming and honest. It even offers a lot of insights to Chinese history and immigration.
It's specially made for those of us with big dreams and in need of a little push to take action.
Recommend it x1000000

[Christina Crisanto · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wow wow wow! Great book! I’m not usually someone who reads memoirs or writes reviews but this one was the exception.
There were so many times in the book where I could’ve swore it sounded like we lived in the same house or we were the same person. Even though I am half black, half Vietnamese, born in the United States, younger in age and identity as a female. This book is totally relatable and relevant to the world we live in today.

[Haley Stevenson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a wonderful story of resilience, dreams becoming realized, and so much more. Simu tells his and his family’s story open and honestly. With that, there’s even a small history lesson of modern China alongside history parents’ incredible lives.

[Rae Seak · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

By listening to this audiobook I can feel all the emotion from Simu. Great job and hope to see more great movies and TV show from him.

[Gabriela · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So emotional, cried so much. Love Simu. 10/10 , highly recommend

[Christina Poss · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is a heartbreaking but beautifully written memoir! So authentic and good.

[Mary Bronson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved how Simu Liu could be open and honest about his life. From his childhood leaving China for Canada when he was 4 not knowing his parents since he was raised by his grandparents. To trying to meet his parents expectations of being a good student. His love for acting and getting the role of a lifetime

[Tricee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Was completely riveted by this well written (and narrated) humorous, heartfelt, and painfully honest memoir. Simu is an inspiration to anyone who burns with passion for the artist’s life. I appreciated the story of life in China, his family’s struggles through the Cultural Revolution and their immigrant journey.

[Brayden Co · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I’ve never felt so seen. Simu Liu’s narration brings a profound beauty to his already inspiring story.

[darthdeverell · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story, Simu Liu tells the story of his life and that of his family, from the Japanese invasion of China during World War II through his own work in Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He explains how his parents worked to achieve success – first in their birth country of China and then in their adopted country of Canada – and how that drive transferred into a hostile environment for him growing up in Canada where he felt the weight of the expectations coupled with feelings of being an outsider in a settler colonial nation. Liu never shies away from his struggles, but balances them with the moments he managed to find joy or a sense of belonging, eventually leading to his acting career after finance turned out to be too soul-crushing. He concludes, “From Harbin to Beijing, Tempe to Kingston, we had triumphed and persevered over impossible odds time after time. Maybe it was time for us to take Hollywood too” (pg. 282). Liu’s story will interest those struggling with their own family’s expectations, in particular those from immigrant families, but will also be an insightful read for those who just want to know more about one of the newest Avengers.

[reader1009-863136 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

nonfiction, memoir - Chinese-born (raised by grandparents in China until age 4) Canadian switches careers from finance/accounting (which he hated) to acting.enjoyable, funny, easy to read memoir