Mao's Last Dancer
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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 Sunday
Product 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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The true story of a small boy plucked from his family in a remote Chinese village to become a ballet star. You feel everything with this humble, sincere man, including - most exhilaratingly - the sensation of dancing. An inspiring story and beautifully written: a very deserving bestseller. I defy anyone to give this book less than 5 stars! So why is the DVD of the film still not available in European format?!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I bought this book as a part of my 'books-I-have-to-read-because-I've-heard-I-just-have-to' project. So with little knowledge about the story, I started reading the book sunday afternoon and finished it monday evening, which makes this one of my fastest read books. This is partly because of the natural writing and partly because the story itself is extremely captivating. I turned the pages to fast that smoke almost emerged :) The narrating voice of Li Cunxin is extremely honest and sincere and from the first page my empathy for him was enormous. I laughed when he laughed, tasted the dumplings when he did, felt tense and desperate when he did and burst into tears with him as well. I liked how the narrating voice also developed in terms of observations and perspective on life as the story progresses and Cunxin grows older. The fables and small anecdotes Cunxin reflects on gives the story a touch of a modern fairytale and I was amazed to read how they became a source of inspiration to him as well. I really loved all the elements of the book - the ballet, the cultural aspect, the political aspect and how they were woven into a deeply inspiring tale about determination and realising dreams. I would reccommend this book to all book lovers - this is definitely one of my favorite books.
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
My daughter (9)and I both read the adult and child version of this book and really enjoyed the story and one mans amazing journey, physically and emotionally, the cultural references were extremely interesting and reminders of the age of the Iron curtain oppression that seems of a different era, but nonetheless very important to revisit.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
History in my lifetime
Brilliant book, I really enjoyed it. Fascinating because all these things happened in my lifetime, Mao's last Dancer was about the same age as me but such a completely different... Read more
Published 25 days ago by AnnDolly
Mao's Last Dancer
I don't normally write book reviews on Amazon but this book was so inspiring that I thought I'd write one. Read more
Published 29 days ago by M Sun
I agree with everyone else, a tremendously moving autobiography
A moving read, an incredible life, I felt very moved by his tale, the ups and downs of his life, his passion and need for dancing as being the only way out of his life of poverty... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Charlie&Molly
True story from China
Brilliant book - couldn't put it down and then was sad to finish it. This is a book to keep and re-read now and again. Read more
Published 2 months ago by wpg
Inspirational
Excellent read. We don't know how good we have had it in the West for the last 60 years. An inspirational story of a courageous lad taken from nowhere who through grit and... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Jooles
Mao`s Last Dancer
Despite my having flicked through the photographs section and, consequently, having some idea of Li Cunxin`s progress and some of the milestone events in his life, it in no way... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Old Fart
fascinating autobiography
This is so interesting that I found myself grabbing it every available moment and was so disappointed when I finsihed it. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Nan
Exceptional
This is an exceptionally good book. It grips from start to finish. It is possibly the best book I have ever read.
Published 11 months ago by Nickteee
Mao's Last Dancer
An amazing story. True life rags to riches but only with courage, determination, pain and the love of his family.I have recomended this book to so many friends.
Published 11 months ago by Welshgirl
Promptly dispatched, safely received
The book "Mao's Last Dancer" was received in good time and in good order and I am looking forward to reading it.
Published 12 months ago by Mrs. ML Tennett
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