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.
Delightful ... Liu manages to tell a familiar story about growing up in an immigrant family without relying on stereotypes. He portrays his parents with empathy and complexity, focusing on their stories to help the reader understand their motivations. He addresses with thoughtful generosity the hard conversations he’s had with his parents about their (unfortunately not uncommon) abuse and how it affected him ... Liu insists on sympathizing with the challenges his parents faced without excusing their actions ... But We Were Dreamers is also deeply funny ... Liu is candid about his shortcomings and early career flops ... Lest readers be skeptical of its genre, this book is a genuine memoir and not just a Hollywood autobiography ... Fans of Liu will enjoy the intimate look into his life, but the memoir’s real strength is its ability to resonate even with those who are unfamiliar with his work.
Liu’s story covers his youthful 'triumphs'...and he writes frankly about the anti-Asian and anti-immigrant prejudice he has faced all his life. The smooth writing conveys both humor and hardship, with moments of reflection that any reader, even non-superheroes, will relate to.
Complex ... Compelling ... A powerful story about a family struggling under the weight of definitions of sacrifice and success, and reconciliation and forgiveness.
