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We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story
-Simu Liu-
I opened the Libby app and saw the icon for this book, and my interest peaked.
Superhero.
Dreamer.
I recognized the man’s face slightly and knew I had enjoyed hearing others’ stories.
I clicked download with no expectations.
Everyone Has a Story
The story begins with an introduction to Simu Liu and quickly brings you back to China, where his parents met and his life began. Simu’s journey from his past to the present is a remarkable tale of resilience and perseverance, overcoming numerous obstacles, both within and without. Did you know Simu Liu grew up in Canada? My honest reaction to that fun fact was amazement. I was no longer just learning about Simu. I was learning about our neighbors in the north and the Chinese culture to which he and his parents emigrated. To understand Simu, one must delve into his family history, from their roots to how he perceived and interpreted their experiences through his perspective.
As you continue reading, you may feel the urge to skim through the text due to the overwhelming and confusing information. You should expect that, but please do not turn away. The worldview in which Simu finds himself parallels the contemporary martial art practitioner and those who cling to the older traditions. While there is a generational gap between the martial arts world and Simu’s world, they are distinct. However, there are valuable lessons we can glean from Simu’s life, such as patience and perspective. The path to achieving an ideal life involves learning to be true to oneself, accomplished through interactions with others, making mistakes, and persevering through challenges. These elements form the overarching theme of the memoir. Simu bravely discusses complex topics such as mental wellness, familial strife, and prejudice toward others. His candid and passionate recounting of personal experiences inspires others to take meaningful action toward positive transformation.
By the memoir’s end, there might be tears, shouts for joy, and maybe even some frustrations. Simu shares his story with such vulnerability and soft tones that you cannot help but feel his passion and struggles. This memoir evokes empathy, embodying the essence of compassion and sincerity. I cannot wait to see what else Simu will bring to the big screen and the Asian community. Simu, as an Avenger and a human, is using his platform and position of power to bring positive change to the world. This provides future martial art athletes and world changers with something tangible to cling to in various ways.
Conclusion
The story told is a memoir of Simu Liu before he became known as an avenger until it changed his life and his family. It’s up to you to discover how it happens by reading it yourself. However, before that, let me share a quote that stood out to me:
On that day, I became more than just a comic book character — I became a part of an idea that everyone deserves to see themselves as superheroes, as the leads of their own stories, or simply, just as multifaceted beings with hopes and aspirations and flaws.”
― Simu Liu, We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story
Recommendation
After completing it, I felt a renewed hope for someone I had never met and may never have had the chance to meet in person. I felt a reinforcement and joy for the humanity and inclusion of the martial arts as I listened to Simu speak not as a martial artist but as a fellow human wanting to inspire others to be his favorite self. In conclusion, I give this book 4 out of 5 stars and say take a listen, bring a copy to your day at the beach, and see how despite the obstacles and setbacks, your life can be a light to those you lead.
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