
We Were Dreamers
We Were Dreamers

Cover of “We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story”, 2023 Heritage Toronto Book Award nominee. Cover designed by Ploy Siripant.
Author: Simu Liu
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Witty and wholeheartedly honest, We Were Dreamers is the superhero origin story of Simu Liu, who grew up torn between Harbin, China and Toronto, until he found the courage to dream like his parents before him. Before he became Marvel’s first leading Asian superhero, he played the part of the ideal son, getting A’s at school, crushing national math competitions and making his parents proud. But as time went on, he dared to dream bigger.
In his awe-inspiring memoir, Simu offers a no-holds-barred look at the struggles he and his parents experienced as they tried to become a family while dealing with culture gaps, racism and wildly conflicting definitions of success. Simu’s story is at times painful, but also filled with hope and laughter. It’s a colourful and nuanced tale that highlights a larger narrative about Asian Canadian culture that many will relate to.
About the Author:
Simu Liu was born in Harbin, China, and immigrated to Canada when he was five. He grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, and completed a business degree at Western University in 2011. After graduation, Simu worked at a prestigious accounting company for a year before being laid off. It was at this point that Simu decided to make a career switch. Having a background in martial arts and gymnastics, Simu chose to pursue a career in acting and stunt work. He is an actor and writer best known for his work on Marvel Studios’ Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and five seasons of the beloved family sitcom Kim’s Convenience.