BOOK REVIEW #46 WE WERE DREAMERS: AN IMMIGRANT SUPERHERO ORIGIN STORY Book Review

Is it kind of early for an actor who has only starred in a single Marvel movie and a recurring role in a Canadian sitcom worthy to have an autobiography of his own? You might however change your mind after sitting through Simu Liu’s We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story.

If Simu Liu is not an actor, he probably makes a pretty good writer given his memoir is a hilarious, relatable read to all Asians out there whether you are an immigrant or not.

Like all typical Asian parents out there, Simu’s parents who originates from Harbin and Beijing, both accomplished engineers wanted their only son to be either a doctor or scientist. Dreams? Who cares? This is not even a proper word in most of Asian parents’ dictionary.

In Act Two of his book, Simu shares some very heartbreaking stories of how he turned into a rebel without his parent’s support. Physical abuse and harsh words were a common part of his childhood although he did mention he indeed had some lovely times with his overbearing parents whom had worked hard to establish their careers in a foreign country.

From his teenage years, Simu finds work at a local coffee shop to working at Abercrombie to being Spider-man at kids’ birthday parties (when he can’t find any acting gigs on Craiglist) just to earn enough money to get away from his parents. In the end, he managed to scrap through university with a business degree and worked as an accountant but his unengaging work ethic causes him to lose the job just nine months later. While being an extra on the set of Pacific Rim, Liu discovers the passion of acting and filmmaking, a spark which he never felt until now.

Despite Asians being not traditionally outspoken people, We Were Dreamers delivers heartfelt chapters between the stormy relationship between Simu and his parents. Accordingly, Simu did consult his parents on it. It’s not about washing dirty laundry in public but rather more of a lesson for strict Asian parents not to treat their kids in these undesirable ways.

Even though Simu does sounds a bit arrogant at times, we feel it’s more of a tongue-in-cheek approach for the record. His writings are light and humorous. His stories are engaging. The guy did struggle for a number of years before he lands the MCU’s golden ticket. Simply, Simu just wants you to follow your dreams. Both American Chinese or Singapore Chinese for sure can relate to Simu’s stories.

While you are here, do check out Jimmy O. Yang’s How To American: An Immigrant’s Guide to Disappointing Your Parents as well for similar vibes.

Review by Linus Tee

STRANGER THINGS: WORLDS TURNED UPSIDE DOWN Book Review

THE ART OF IRON MAN: 10TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION Book Review

LIGHTS, CAMERA, MAGIC! THE MAKING OF FANTASTIC BEASTS: THE CRIMES OF GRINDELWALD Book Review

GUILLERMO DEL TORO'S THE SHAPE OF WATER: CREATING A FAIRY TALE FOR TROUBLED TIMES Book Review

WHO IS MICHAEL OVITZ? Book Review

THE ART OF ALVIN JOHN Book Review

TOMB RAIDER: THE ART AND MAKING OF THE FILM Book Review

HOW TO AMERICAN: AN IMMIGRANT'S GUIDE TO DISAPPOINTING YOUR PARENTS Book Review

BRUCE LEE: A LIFE Book Review

I'LL HAVE WHAT SHE'S HAVING: HOW NORA EPHRON'S THREE ICONIC FILMS SAVED THE ROMANTIC COMEDY Book Review

GEORGE LUCAS: A LIFE Book Review

WONDER WOMAN: THE ART AND MAKING OF THE FILM Book Review

THE LEGO NINJAGO MOVIE: THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE Book Review

THE GIRL WITH THE LOWER BACK TATTOO Book Review

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE: THE MAKING OF THE MOVIE Book Review

GHOSTBUSTERS: THE ULTIMATE VISUAL HISTORY Book Review

MICHAEL KLASTORIN and RANDAL ATAMANIUK'S BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE ULTIMATE VISUAL HISTORY

MATT ZOLLER SEITZ'S THE WES ANDERSON COLLECTION: THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL Book Review

LYNDA OBST'S "SLEEPLESS IN HOLLYWOOD: TALES FROM THE NEW ABNORMAL IN THE MOVIE BUSINESS" Book Review

RAMIN ZAHED'S "THE ART OF DREAMWORKS ANIMATION Book Review

JACKIE CHAN: NEVER GROW UP, ONLY GET OLDER Book Review

SEAN HOWE'S "MARVEL COMICS: THE UNTOLD STORY" Book Review

ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER "TOTAL RECALL: MY UNBELIEVABLY TRUE LIFE STORY" Book Review

JODY DUNCAN JESSER'S "THE ART AND MAKING OF THE DARK KNIGHT TRILOGY" Book Review

RICHARD SCHICKEL'S "STEVEN SPIELBERG: A RETROSPECTIVE" Book Review

GARRY MARSHALL'S "MY HAPPY DAYS IN HOLLYWOOD: A MEMOIR" Book Review

PAMELA GLINTENKAMP'S "INDUSTRIAL LIGHT & MAGIC: THE ART OF INNOVATION" Book Review

VIC ARMSTRONG'S "THE TRUE ADVENTURES OF THE WORLD'S GREATEST STUNTMAN" Book Review

TINA FEY'S "BOSSYPANTS" Book Review

SIMON PEGG'S "NERD DO WELL" Book Review

Back