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, Simu Liu chronicles his family's journey from China to the bright lights of Hollywood with wit and humour.

As a child, Simu's parents left him in the care of his grandparents, bringing him to Canada when he was four. However, Simu soon senses that his new guardians lack the gentle touch of his grandparents, resulting in harsh words and hurt feelings between him and his parents, who find their 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 As, performs exceptionally in national math competitions and makes his parents proud. However, as time passes, he grows increasingly disillusioned with the path that has been laid out for him.

Less than a year out of University, he is fired from his first job and hits rock bottom. He develops a determination centred around creating his own path. This leads him to not only succeeding as an actor, but also opens the door to reconciling with his parents.

We Were Dreamers is a story about growing up between cultures, finding your family, and becoming the master of your own extraordinary circumstance.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Release date: May 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9780008546502

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

[Miya · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This has been the most inspiring, genuine, emotional, relatable memoir I have listened to by far. I admire the honesty and confidence of Simu in sharing his most vulnerable and authentic journey.

[Tommy Broyles · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book with an honest look at family life. The success couldn’t have come to a better guy…he obviously gives back to community. Book kept me interested and I want my kids to read it. Never never never give up!

[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