Mao's Last Dancer - Hardcover

Cunxin, Li

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1904132898 ISBN 13: 9781904132899

Publisher: Fusion Press, 2003

Synopsis

Dust-jacket reads: Li Cunxin grew up in a remote commune village in China. His life was one of daily hardships - there was never enough food for Li and his six brothers and his only entertainment, especially during the harsh winters, was to be told fables by his father. Li's life seemed mapped out; he was `the frog at the bottom of the well' who would have to be content to see just a small patch of sky. Then in 1971, at the age of eleven, Li was chosen to train as a ballet dancer at Madam Mao's Beijing Dance Academy. Selected for his physique and peasant background, he had no knowledge of the art form at all. After seven years of punishing training Li danced his way to the top of his class and won a rare scholarship to America. It was this experience that lead Li, a fervent follower of Mao and his Communist ideals, to discover the truth behind Chinese propaganda. In 1981 he defected, certain that he would never see his family again. Through dance, a poor Chinese peasant child found a new life in America - the frog had escaped the well and could marvel at the expanse of sky. Mao's Last Dancer is his story.

About this title

Product Description:

A moving and beautifully written account of how aChinese peasant boy was selected to attendMadam Mao's Peking Dance Academy. Afterreaching the top of his class he won ascholarship to the US where he defected eventhough it meant that he would never see his familyagain. He went on to be one of the West's bestballet dancers. Set to be a bestseller.

Review:

[A] fascinating memoir told simply but passionately, with subtle humor and unguarded emotion. The Houston Chronicle
Mix Billy Elliot with Torn Curtain and you ll have some of the tale in very broad outline well-paced full of adventures. Kirkus Reviews

Fascinating reading unfolds with honesty, humor, and a quiet dignity. This book has wide appeal, for it concerns not only a dancer s coming of age in a turbulent time but also individual strength, self-discovery, and the triumph of the human spirit. Library Journal
The facts of his life are astonishing on their own, but what makes Li Cunxin s engrossing autobiography so captivating is his enthusiastic retelling of every twist and turn. Vogue (Australia)"

-[A] fascinating memoir...told simply but passionately, with subtle humor and unguarded emotion.---The Houston Chronicle
-Mix Billy Elliot with Torn Curtain and you'll have some of the tale in very broad outline...well-paced...full of adventures.---Kirkus Reviews

-Fascinating reading...unfolds with honesty, humor, and a quiet dignity. This book has wide appeal, for it concerns not only a dancer's coming of age in a turbulent time but also individual strength, self-discovery, and the triumph of the human spirit.---Library Journal
-The facts of his life are astonishing on their own, but what makes Li Cunxin's engrossing autobiography so captivating is his enthusiastic retelling of every twist and turn.---Vogue (Australia)

"[A] fascinating memoir...told simply but passionately, with subtle humor and unguarded emotion."--The Houston Chronicle

"Mix Billy Elliot with Torn Curtain and you'll have some of the tale in very broad outline...well-paced...full of adventures."--Kirkus Reviews

"Fascinating reading...unfolds with honesty, humor, and a quiet dignity. This book has wide appeal, for it concerns not only a dancer's coming of age in a turbulent time but also individual strength, self-discovery, and the triumph of the human spirit."--Library Journal

"The facts of his life are astonishing on their own, but what makes Li Cunxin's engrossing autobiography so captivating is his enthusiastic retelling of every twist and turn."--Vogue (Australia)

About this edition

• Publisher: Fusion Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 1904132898
• ISBN 13: 9781904132899
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 320