Mao's Last Dancer
- Li Cunxin
- Format: Kindle Edition
- File Size: 1827 KB
- Print Length: 432 pages
- Publisher: Penguin
- Language: English
- Text-to-Speech: Enabled
Subjects
Arts & Photography > Performing Arts > DanceBiographies & Memoirs > Memoirs
Review
'An inspiring true story of courage and determination' - Adeline Yen Mah, author of 'Falling Leaves' 'His vivid descriptions of life at home, surviving on family love and dried yams, and of the harsh regime, make riveting reading' Guardian 'Mao's Last Dancer is a modern fairy-tale. Li Cunxin's story is a breathtaking indictment of brute Communism, told with great honesty' - Kate Adie 'Appalling, brave and funny ... you cannot do better than to read this book' Mail on SundayProduct Description
Raised in a desperately poor village during the height of China's Cultural Revolution, Li Cunxin's childhood revolved around the commune, his family and Chairman Mao's Little Red Book. Until, that is, Madame Mao's cultural delegates came in search of young peasants to study ballet at the academy in Beijing and he was thrust into a completely unfamiliar world. When a trip to Texas as part of a rare cultural exchange opened his eyes to life and love beyond China's borders, he defected to the United States in an extraordinary and dramatic tale of Cold War intrigue. Told in his own distinctive voice, this is Li's inspirational story of how he came to be Mao's last dancer, and one of the world's greatest ballet dancers.Mao's Last Dancer Reviews
Mao's Last Dancer rated based on 3 ratings 3 reviews
2010-05-02T18:24:01+00:00 Elizabeth Laine "Liz" rated :
An inspiring, true story of overcoming some of the most difficult odds. Set in China with dictator Mao, a young boy gets a chance to get out of "his well", of abject poverty with his parents and brothers. Against this hardship, all other problems of humanity appear minuscule.
His way out was ballet and he took it, though it hurt like hell to gain the flexibility and strength, that are its hallmarks. He was not just Mao's last dancer, but, the first to buck the system, becoming a great
An inspiring, true story of overcoming some of the most difficult odds. Set in China with dictator Mao, a young boy gets a chance to get out of "his well", of abject poverty with his parents and brothers. Against this hardship, all other problems of humanity appear minuscule.
His way out was ballet and he took it, though it hurt like hell to gain the flexibility and strength, that are its hallmarks. He was not just Mao's last dancer, but, the first to buck the system, becoming a great
2011-07-23T11:49:58+00:00 Florida mom rated :
I saw the movie first, and loved it so much that I wanted to buy the book. I have the Kindle edition, and the photos came through nicely. Everyone in America should read this book - it tells the gripping story of what it was really like to live in Mao's China. A beautiful story, well told.
I saw the movie first, and loved it so much that I wanted to buy the book. I have the Kindle edition, and the photos came through nicely. Everyone in America should read this book - it tells the gripping story of what it was really like to live in Mao's China. A beautiful story, well told.
2011-07-22T16:56:37+00:00 Josey rated :
As a lover of everything to do with dance I found the Chinese approach to ballet fascinating. Cunxin is a very determined person who prevailed in a punative, harsh learning environment. His experience of freedom with the Texas ballet company was inspiring. Wonderful read!
As a lover of everything to do with dance I found the Chinese approach to ballet fascinating. Cunxin is a very determined person who prevailed in a punative, harsh learning environment. His experience of freedom with the Texas ballet company was inspiring. Wonderful read!
