Leo Lu: Book 1 Post 2

 To recap, I chose to read Simu Liu’s autobiography We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story because I am a big Marvel fan. If you didn't know, Liu is the star of Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. I also picked this book because I’ve admired Liu’s journey from being a struggling actor to an international superstar, and I was curious to learn more about his life experiences and the challenges he faced along the way. His candid storytelling and his reflections on how he dealt with identity, culture, and perseverance entertained me from the start.

The book is a solid mix of personal anecdotes and broader cultural commentary. Liu discusses his upbringing as an immigrant in Canada, the pressures of trying to fit into different worlds as a minority, and the difficulty of breaking into the entertainment industry. His humor and honesty is very apparent throughout the book, which helps make his struggles and eventual growth feel relatable. I also appreciated how he tackled difficult topics such as discrimination and self-acceptance while also celebrating the joys of pursuing one’s dreams. Some sections felt a little more entertaining than others, but overall, it was an interesting read.

I would definitely recommend Liu's autobiography to anyone interested in personal stories that contain stories of resilience and triumph. My main takeaway was the importance of staying true to oneself and the power of hard work and determination. His story is a reminder that dreams can become reality, no matter where you are from or what upbringing you had. I feel that I would recommend this book to others for sure, as it seemed relatable and relevant, whereas other autobiographies do not offer a relatable aspect.

Comments

  1. Alex Ster Writ 340October 4, 2024 at 9:36 PM

    I have never heard of this novel but it sounds like you truly enjoyed it. I like your last line where you state that dreams can become reality no matter the context. It sounds like it was an inspirational read!

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  2. Aidan Bloomstine WRIT 340 BlogOctober 6, 2024 at 12:56 PM

    Leo, great job with this review. I also enjoy books that focus on stories of becoming. In this case, an immigrant had a dream and was determined to see it through. When I finish reading books like this, I always feel motivated and ready to take on the world. Great job! Glad you enjoyed the read!

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  3. Scholar PfeifOctober 7, 2024 at 7:23 PM

    I've never really thought about an immigrant experience in another country which is a very unique perspective. Liu's story seems incredibly unique and even more so that he played a role in the MCU that was completely original on its own and had never really been portrayed before. I am a firm believer in staying true to yourself and following your own compass so I too think that this would be a read that I would enjoy.

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  4. Chelsea340October 7, 2024 at 8:00 PM

    Hi Leo, I like how you highlighted his honest reflections on identity and culture, making his experiences as an immigrant in Canada relatable. It's great that his humor shines through, even while addressing tough topics like discrimination and perseverance.

    ReplyDelete
  5. DamienWrit340October 7, 2024 at 10:14 PM

    Trying to fit into different worlds as a minority is definitely something I can relate to and I had to overcome that challenge growing up. I'll make sure to give this book a try.

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  6. StefanOctober 8, 2024 at 12:42 AM

    Leo – well done! I too really enjoy when a story is relatable. Being able to feel what the narrator is going through and empathizing with them helps my mind absorb information much more effectively than usual. It is great that you got to read this book as a Marvel fan! I am trying to get started on a couple Marvel movies currently.

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  7. Martin 340October 9, 2024 at 5:20 PM

    Leo, your review caught my attention! I can relate to the pressures of fitting into different worlds, so I’m particularly interested in how Liu navigates that experience. I hadn’t heard of this book before, but your insights into his candid storytelling and the mix of personal anecdotes with cultural commentary make it sound like a must-read. I appreciate your review and can’t wait to check it out!

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