In 1971, at the age of 11, Li Cunxin was chosen to train as a ballet dancer at Madam Mao's Beijing Dance Academy. It was to change his life for ever.

One of seven children growing up in a remote Chinese village, for the first time Li had enough food to eat. But the punishing training schedule made no sense to a young boy who had never seen a ballet.

Li wanted to do well. At first this was to make his family and country proud then, gradually, he fell in love with the art. As he started to earn his teacher's praise, Li wondered how much hard work and determination would it take to realise his dreams...

Mao's Last Dancer is his remarkable true story.

Review

It's pretty rare for me to review a book even though I really love it. For example, you don't see me reviewing my favourite author Lisa Jane Smith right?? But somehow this biography prompted me to write how wonderful this book is.

The story begins with Li's childhood in his poverty commune in Qingdao, China. The poverty is vividly described from lifestyle to the diet. He and his family ate dried yam and occassionally corn bread as daily staple until Chinese New Year. The hard life he has to go through really makes me wonder what would I be thinking about life if I were in his shoes. I would surely be thinking that life is not even worth living ... why live a life where you are living to survive or barely surviving?

The period of his student life in Madame Mao was tough and rigid. An insightful of the communist education. What really moves me is the author's dedication in overcoming obstacles in becoming the best dancer so he could make the country and family proud. The burden on his shoulder is beyond his description and yet it became his drive to succeed in dancing to be one of the world best.

Overall, Li's story is not about how hard his life is but how he translated his aspiration into actuality and the endless love and support he got from his family and friends despite being a defector for a period of time. His journey of life is what touches me most, not mentioning his never give up spirit. Coming from a struggling background, I'm extremely thankful and grateful for what I have and made me realised how much I have taken for granted in life despite reflecting on that almost everyday in my life...

I'm not sure if I would read this book again for the third time [hopefully, I won't cry again] but I might watch the movie ... soon to be released.

To all: This book is Highly Recommended to add into your library.

re:comment
not only mercedes but they are exposed to more computer games than those traditional games like kite, marbles,gasing..etc
» AlexisNg on 2008-12-07 02:01:50

Wow.... Another tear inducing book. There's another book my lecturer recommended, The Last Lecture, if I'm not mistaken.
» Nuttz on 2008-12-08 04:31:30


I like reading books set during the turbulent Cultural Revolution in China. It give us a glimpse of tragedy & hardships during that period. I am still unable to comprehend what some people are willing to do under Mao's leadership. You should try reading Wild Swans by Jung Chang as well
» acura (60.52.126.20) on 2008-12-08 01:53:25

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