Maria Benham

We Were Dreamers captivated my attention from the beginning and I loved the entire book. I am a WASP so you might think I couldn't identify with Simu's story but I grew up on a farm outside Toronto and farmers have never been "hip". My Dad&Mom always cheered for the underdog and NEVER spoke despairingly of any group, so that I didn't learn to be a racist. I even believed that there was no racism in Canada, especially regarding Asians, until I dated one for 6 yrs (a Chemical Engineer - he made his parents proud!) and found out "Oh yes there was"!! Liu has described the undercurrent of racism succinctly and We Were Dreamers should be required reading in schools - it might not hurt some parents to read it too. Thank You Simu