liu, simu

Memoir of the author describing his experiences as a Chinese Canadian immigrant who became the first Asian American superhero to star in a Marvel movie. Describes his childhood growing up in China and being reunited with his parents at the age of four, his efforts to please his family, his estrangement from them, and his career change from accountant to actor that eventually led to his family's reconciliation.

"Shang-Chi is known throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe--and Simu Liu, who plays him, is known all over the world! Was Simu ready for superstardom when he took the role? In this book, readers find out how Simu prepared to play Shang-Chi as well as about his early life and career"--Provided by publisher.

"In this honest, inspiring and relatable memoir, newly-minted superhero Simu Liu chronicles his family's journey from China to the bright lights of Hollywood with razor-sharp wit and humor. Simu's parents left him in the care of his grandparents, then brought him to Canada when he was four. Life as a Canuck, however, is not all that it was cracked up to be; Simu's new guardians lack the gentle touch of his grandparents, resulting in harsh words and hurt feelings. His parents, on the other hand, find their new son emotionally distant and difficult to relate to--although they are related by blood, they are separated by culture, language, and values. As Simu grows up, he plays the part of the pious child flawlessly--he gets straight A's, crushes national math competitions and makes his parents proud. But as time passes, he grows increasingly disillusioned with the path that has been laid out for him. Less than a year out of college, at the tender age of 22, his life hits rock bottom when he is laid off from his first job as an accountant. Left to his own devices, and with nothing left to lose, Simu embarks on a journey that will take him far outside of his comfort zone into the world of show business. Through a swath of rejection and comical mishaps, Simu's determination to carve out a path for himself leads him to not only succeed as an actor, but also to open the door to reconciling with his parents. We Were Dreamers is more than a celebrity memoir--it's a story about growing up between cultures, finding your family, and becoming the master of your own extraordinary circumstance"--From the publisher's web site.