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  • We Were Dreamers

  • An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story
  • By: Simu Liu
  • Narrated by: Simu Liu
  • Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (245 ratings)

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We Were Dreamers cover art

We Were Dreamers

By: Simu Liu
Narrated by: Simu Liu
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Publisher's Summary

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 A's, 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.

©2022 Simu Liu (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

What listeners say about We Were Dreamers

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  • Overall
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing book!

thank you Simu. so inspiring, reading so much of who I am in your story.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Great story!

A wonderful and heart wrenching memoir of Simu and his immigration from China to Canada. Touches on family drama and issues of racism in society now and previously.
I really enjoyed this!

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A must read for second gen immigrants

hearing Simu’s story and how hard he worked to get to where he is, very inspiring for us second gen born to immigrants. enjoyable read.

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thank you Simu

don't normally listen to audiobooks but Simu narrates his own life and it's one I enjoyed listening to. Felt deep sadness for his hardships and joy for his successes, and most importantly, there's a happy ending.

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By far my favourite audiobook - EVER

I loved this book. He was so raw, open and honest. I loved hearing about his upbringing and his journey to making it in the big screen.

I also loved the way he read it, it felt like I was there with him and he was taking me through the different stages of his life.

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A Hero's story for sure.

What an incredible and insightful sharing of a culture's experience I have so much still to learn about.
Simus' telling of his and his parents story is a true inspiration and a bench mark on how to use one's platform to continue to evolve societal expectations and preconceptions.

(Additionally for any Actor coming from the bottom/middle class it's an incredible tale of how the harder you work the luckier you get)

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Second to None

This book has such a breathtaking, phenomenal heart and I loved every second of it.

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Interesting and revealing

This story kept me interested from beginning to end. The sad circumstances around his relationship with his parents was very revealing and emotive. I felt I learnt more about cultural values of Asian immigrants and consequent challenges for new generations.

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Culturally necessary

Loved how honest it was. Some very touching and vulnerable moments. Couldn't help but cheer for Simu all the way through.

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Best biography I’ve listened to

Emotional and inspiring. One of the few audiobooks I’ll likely listen to again. Top notch

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