I Love “Behind-the-Scenes” Memoirs
If you haven’t picked up on this based on past reviews, I really enjoy memoirs from “sets.” Whether TV shows, films, or the stage, I love the behind-the-scenes peeks at lifestyles and jobs that are very different from anything I’ll likely experience. What’s always particularly interesting to me is how [Famous Person] became famous. Did it fall in their lap? Did their parents support their pursuit? What was childhood like, and when did they know they wanted to be an actor? When did they realize they “made” it, or do they even feel like they have?
I do not consider myself a “superhero” or comic book fan, but you can’t deny Marvel is gosh-dang entertaining! They do it well – the action, the humor, the character arcs. In high school, I used to go see these movies as they came out with my best friend. It was great fun! All this to say, when I saw Simu Liu – who portrayed the title character in Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – had written a memoir, I jumped on it.
Long Before Marvel & the MCU
I went into Liu’s memoir expecting all sorts of information about what it was like to be Shang and his experience as an Asian-Canadian in Hollywood. Shang Chi was groundbreaking, with a nearly all Asian-led cast and an Asian American director. The representation was exceptional, and I was curious how Liu felt about all this. Surprisingly (although, perhaps not because this is Marvel after all, and we all know how hush-hush they are), Liu spoke less about being Shang and more about his upbringing.
Beginning in China
With wit and brutal honesty, Liu takes us all the way back to his parents’ youth under Mao in Communist China, their pursuit of a greater life in America (eventually Canada), and his life living with his grandparents in Harbin, the capital of China’s northernmost province, where they didn’t even have running water. He talks about the impact it had on him when he was suddenly whisked away at the age of four from everything and everyone he knew to live with his mysterious parents in Canada.
Immigration to Canada
Liu reveals and explores the immigrant life and the relationship within his home. The constant pushing of his parents to be perfect, the lack of affirmation and love, standing out/not fitting in with his peers, the fallout from playing the perfect son to finding himself, et cetera. It was incredibly eye-opening – heart-breaking in many ways but eye-opening.
I so commend Liu for his candor and for the way, despite many issues in his youth, he and his parents have worked to repair their relationship. What a beautiful story of redemption!
All of that, I would say, represents the majority of the memoir. Liu finishes with his exit from accounting and entrance into the field of acting, culminating in his earning the part of Shang Chi.
What I Loved about this Memoir
I really enjoyed this memoir for a number of reasons. I’ll try to breeze through them because this review is getting long:
- Strong Values: Liu’s values of family, hard work, dedication, and forgiveness shine through in everything he writes. He is quick to point out the serious issues he and his parents had, but he is also quick to recognize why they did the things they did. He is incredibly gracious, and it was refreshing and encouraging.
- Respectful Writer: Liu is equally respectful of China, Canada, the US, and other immigrants. He doesn’t make sweeping or generalizing statements. He sees the shortcomings and acknowledges the opportunities. Again, refreshing.
- Levity Amidst Gravity: Despite the heaviness of some of the content, Liu is a funny author, and his writing keeps things light. Also, he is seriously a smart guy, and his strategy with acting was striking and so interesting to me.
- Well-Written: I’m a writer too, so you know I have to comment on this. It was easy to read from a technical standpoint. It’s not too long, and it follows a natural, chronological order (I’m less a fan of memoirs that bounce around).
Minor Shortcomings
As said before, my only disappointment about this superhero memoir was the lack of superhero talk.
I would’ve enjoyed learning more about working on Shang Chi and making this monumentous film for the Asian community. However, I understand why it either: (A) wasn’t what he wanted to focus on, or (B) he legally couldn’t share enough to make a chapter. The MCU and its secrets…
Themes throughout We Were Dreamers
We Were Dreamers explores so many interesting and important themes. When you pick up this memoir, you’ll find themes surrounding:
- Immigration
- Family
- Parental Expectations
- Facing Parental Disappointment
- Education
- Strong Work Ethic
- Not Giving Up & Pursuing What the Life You Want
If You Like Celebrity Memoirs…
If you’re like me and enjoy celebrity memoirs, check out these below:
- My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business (Dick van Dyke)
- Yes, My Accent is Real (Kunal Nayyar)
- Deaf Utopia (Nyle DiMarco)
- Live Wire (Kelly Ripa)
- Home Work (Julie Andrews)
- I’m Glad My Mom Died (Jennette McCurdy)
- Beyond the Wand (Tom Felton)
Final Thoughts
We Were Dreamers is witty, easy-to-read, and filled with purpose (see the above “themes”), woven throughout all of the author’s stories. While there is some strong language peppered in, I absolutely recommend We Were Dreamers for fans of celebrity memoirs! As long as you’re aware you won’t find all the secrets to the MCU, you won’t be disappointed.
Content Rating: Moderate
for infrequent strong language
Copyright Simu Liu and William Morrow. Image from Amazon.
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