Mao's Last Dancer - Young Readers' Edition

At the beginning of the book, he writes it from a young child's perspective and as he grows older, you see him develop into a man. I could relate to his story since I was adopted from India. I cried when he finally returned to China because I, too, felt the same happiness and sadness. I traveled to China in 1982 and saw the poverty that these people lived in and even came upon a woman with bound feet. Li really goes into detail of the poverty his family faced on a daily bases under Mao's rule and how he brainwashed the younger generation to believe in his philosophy. The older generation weren't gullible but were forced to comply. I watched one of Li's videos on Youtube and from listening to him speak, you feel the humility in this man even though he is a successful dancer and business man.

I just finished this book, and picked it because I have visited China and had so many horrible and questionable things about when Mao was Chairman of China. This is a true story written by the main character, Li, a poor pheasant of a close family of 7 boys. It's amazing how poor the pheasants were during Mao's rule and what they did to survive. Very fortunately for Li, because of his body type, he was picked to go to the main Chinese ballet dance academy in Beijing at 11 years old. He was so young and homesick for two years, then really got into his dance with classes each day for 7 years. Li gets an opportunity to visit the Houston Ballet and sees how Americans are free and not the evil propaganda of the west that Chairman Mao brainwashed everyone in China to believe. Li falls in love in Houston, defects, divorces, remarries and has raises a family in Australia. He remains close to his big family and travels to China often and sees how China changes after Chairman Mao leaves office. The history involved in this book along with the juxtaposition of Li's personal life by this very good writer makes this for an amazing book! One I will always remember.

This is the inspirational tale of a boy/man who trains as a dancer in China under Mao’s communist regime. Told in a straight-forward, unembellished style, it presents countless fascinating details of daily life and relationships that present a vivid picture of what the author experiences. The account is especially moving because it offers insight into the lovable character of people once considered enemies by the United States. Li’s peasant family endures brutal hardship, working long hours every day, suffering extremes of weather and lack of food, and yet they are quite resigned and able to enjoy each other and the good they have. Even the broader community seems to rejoice with Li’s successes rather than wallow in self-pity or envy. The story evokes sympathy for people who suffer under communism, but are also vulnerable to official propaganda, as we all are.

Mao's Last Dancer, the autobiography of Li Cunxin, is told in a simple, straightforward manner, principally because English is not the author's native language. This fact shouldn't deter anyone from reading this moving account of a Chinese peasant boy's rise to fame as a ballet dancer and subsequent defection to the West.Plucked from the abject poverty of his large family by Mao's cultural warriors, Li is chosen to be a ballet dancer, primarily because he didn't scream when his tendons and ligaments were torn to test his flexibility. Although an unpromising student at first, he gradually improves and forms bonds with some of his teachers. Eventually he is allowed to travel to the United States and perform with the Houston Ballet. After returning home to China, he wangles a second visit to the States, becomes a star in the ballet company, secretly marries, and defects.There are many enlightening details in Li's narrative--the harsh life and near starvation existence of his childhood; the constant barrage of communist propaganda that he's exposed to as he's growing up; the overwhelming contrast of teeming Bejing, where he is schooled, to the rural squalor of his beloved home; and his astonishment at the "truth" of the West, which exposes Mao's teachings for what they are--lies.He feels guilty for abandoning his family and putting them at risk for retaliation by the Chinese government because of his defection. However, his parents, especially his mother, always wanted what was best for him--and that turned out to be escape. One could argue that the Chinese had trained him and given him the opportunity to achieve fame and fortune and that he responded with ingratitude. But he was always a pawn of the state, selected to perform in ballets long on propaganda and short on artistic merit.I think that this story would make profitable reading for older children and teens as well as adults.

When he was 11 years old, Li Cunxin was selected from his peasant community and sent to Beijing to study dance at the Beijing Dance Academy. Mao’s Last Dancer is Li’s moving memoir of his rise from near starvation to being one of the top ballet dancers in the world.Wow! What can I say about this wonderful book. I loved it from start to finish. Li Cunxin’s life is like a fairy tale. He was born into Communist China, taken away from his family at a young age, and given a gift that would change his life forever – dance. Li understood the only way he could help his family was by working hard at the Academy. He strove to be the best. Then one day he received an important opportunity. He was allowed to take part in a summer dance program in the United States. The memoir shows the world unveiling itself to Li as he realizes the grand deception Mao’s government has forced upon its people. He loves the freedom (and wealth!) of the West, and once tasting it, never wants to go back. Li’s defection to the United States in 1981 made world headlines.This is a memoir that has all the elements I could ever want. It is gripping, inspirational and genuinely moving. I cheered for Li and I cried for him. This is a book I will definitely recommend to others.

This book is a wonderful read. Cunxin has so much determination, and inner strength that it is quite humbling. The description of life in rural China in the 60s and 70s makes a memorable impression. The rural poor, which was nearly everyone, lived a very small notch above starvation. Their lives were dominated by hard, hard work with very little light relief. Cunxin remains modest although his achievements are amazing. There was a very strong family bond which persists throughout although he could only see his people once a year, for Chinese New Year.I cannot recommend this strongly enough.

A great insight into China and how families were effected after the cultural revolution.It contains a lot of historical information in an interesting way.It is an emotional book, that takes you on a journey with the author.Really enjoyed this book and I couldn’t put it down. I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good read.

For anyone with a love of dance and an interest in social history this is a "must read". It tells of the harsh conditions endured by millions in China during Mao's revolution, and of the determination to succeed of a young peasant boy and his eventual defection and success.

This book was chosen to read by our book club. I would not have chosen the book myself, but I was pleasantly surprised. The story is about a boy born into a peasant's family in China where poverty, hard labour in the fields and starvation were the norm, and growing up under Mao's regime. He is chosen from many thousands of school children to attend Madame Mao's ballet school at the age of eleven, where he eventually realises that this is his opportunity to be something other than a peasant farmer.I would definitely recommend this book.

I bought it as a gift. I read it years ago when it was first published. Inspirational true story, though I realise that it will mostly be of interest to balletomanes.