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  • We Were Dreamers

  • An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story
  • Written by: Simu Liu
  • Narrated by: Simu Liu
  • Length: 8 hrs and 10 mins
  • 4.9 out of 5 stars (1,000 ratings)

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We Were Dreamers

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

Marvel’s newest recruit shares his own inspiring and unexpected origin story, ranging from China to the bright lights of Hollywood. An immigrant who battled everything from parental expectations to cultural stereotypes, Simu Liu struggled to forge a path for himself, rising from the ashes of a failed accounting career (yes, you read that right) to become Shang-Chi.

Our story begins in the city of Harbin, where Simu’s parents have left him with his grandparents while they seek to build a future in Canada. One day, a mysterious stranger shows up; it’s Simu’s father, who whisks him away from the only home he has ever known to the land of opportunity and maple syrup.

Life in the new world, 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 ideal son well, getting A’s at school, crushing national math competitions and making his parents proud. But as time goes on, he grows increasingly disillusioned with the expectations placed on his shoulders, and finds it harder and harder to keep up the charade. Barely a year out of college, he hits rock bottom when he is laid off from his first job as an accountant. Unemployed, riddled with shame and with nothing left to lose, Simu sees an ad on Craigslist that will send him on a wildly unexpected journey into the mysterious world of show business. Through a swath of rejections and comical mishaps, Simu’s determination leads him to succeed as an actor and 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 circumstances.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2020 Simu Liu (P)2020 HarperCollins Canada

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What listeners say about We Were Dreamers

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    5 out of 5 stars

Simu, you were such a shit!

This is a wonderful autobiography that tells the tale of a difficult immigrant child with typical demanding immigrant parents. There were so many moments when I could relate to how Simu felt and commiserate with his parents too. Simu opens his kimono and tells us the good and bad of his growing up and his regret as well.

Loved the story, loved the reading, even the emotional parts. and if course, I lived the happy ending.

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4 people found this helpful

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Amazing!

This is an amazing listen. As an Asian Canadian male around Simu's age, I related to Simu's story like no other book I've previously read. I'm glad to see we finally have positive representation. Highly recommend reading this book regardless of whether you're Asian or not - Simu's story is simply inspiring and the prose is written beautifully.

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2 people found this helpful

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Absolutely Amazing 👏

I would compare this to Born a Crime by Trevor Noah which is the highest of compliments because I adore that book. I expected to laugh but I didn't expect to cry. What an amazing journey. The acknowledgement of your family at the end just about did me in. Well done Simu you continue to do Canada proud!

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1 person found this helpful

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  • LKB
  • 2024-01-23

Amazing story

I really enjoyed this book. Simu was open and honest. An amazing story and so easy to listen to.

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  • Overall
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Simon is hilarious!

Simon is hilarious. The way he tells his story makes you appreciate the struggles he experienced growing up.

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Great listen!

Simus narration was wonderful. I laughed, I cried and gained a lot of perspective from his story. Would highly recommend.

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Inspirational with an awkward performance.

Inspirational story. Really captures what it feels like to grow up Asian Canadian in a very anti-Asian media landscape.

Performance isn’t great. Very obvious cut ins and overdubs. Cringeworthy emotional narration during emotional moments. But overall, if you like Simu, this is very Simu.

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Moved by the story

The love from grandparents and parents is precious. As young immigrants and parents from China, it makes me think about how to live with my child and how to understand their struggles. The story is so moved. As child from Chinese family, I truly understand Simu’s parents’ love and expectation. So happy for them with the happiest ending.

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Loved this so much!

I learned a lot about China and an immigrant’s life. I love when the author reads it, it is so authentic.

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Best memoir I’ve read.

Having recently been on a memoir kick, and reading/listening to numerous memoirs, this is by far my favourite. Listening to it in Simu’s own voice makes it even better. It’s captivating, tear-jerking, and funny. I laughed, cried, and was genuinely inspired by his story. He’s a gifted story-teller.

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