I found the storyline to be very emotional yet inspiring. One of my favourite parts would be where Li was leaving the family. He had the choice to stay, or leave and build up a better future to later support his family. In this section of the book, there is a lot of tension and makes the reader want to find out what choice he takes. Another part would be where Li finally reaches the milestone.
With lots of hard work, courage and determination, Li was able to become a popular dancer known in American theatres. This part of the book really inspired me as it pretty much tells us how anything is possible a long as we work hard to earn it. Something interesting about the book was the photos, it helped me to get an even better visualisation of the story and a better insight of how things were like for li throughout his young life.
I felt like the book was different to other books that I have read because I was able to somewhat relate my life to it. You are commenting using your WordPress. You are commenting using your Google account. Coralie Tighe grew up with her older brother, Hugh, and much younger sister, Anne, in s and s Kalinga, a humble suburb of Brisbane. Instead, she was encouraged to spend more time on piano and music theory, which she continued right up until her Licentiate in Music.
She was genteel in nature and would go off to work on the train every day, beautiful and stylish, showing off her inch waist in the latest fashion.
She learned that he was from Allora, a tiny town of people two hours west of Brisbane. He and his brother, Jack affectionately known as Jock , were brought up by Josephine, their widowed mother, who owned the local pub.
After graduating from Nudgee College, Brisbane, Neil George studied architecture at Queensland University — an unexpected choice for a country boy back then. Coralie and Neil George began their married life in They rented a run-down cottage in the inner-western suburb of Rainworth.
Neil George started his day at four in the morning to do a milk run to help with the finances before heading to uni for the rest of the day. He would return to paint the rooms at night and work on fixing up the place.
Contraceptives were never mentioned in those days so Catholic couples were encouraged to use the rhythm method of birth control, but surely that is one of the Catholic mysteries given how many continued to have numerous children quite happily.
By the time she was twenty-five, Coralie had three children. I was the third, and the first girl, born on 7 September For a young woman in the s, life with three children under the age of three was a struggle, so Neil George, ever the dreamer, talked about moving to India where they could have all the children they wanted and as many amahs as were needed to help.
Upon graduating from university in , Neil was offered a job with an architecture firm in the central Queensland town of Rockhampton. He had never much liked big-city life with its stuffiness, so he jumped at the chance.
This would still be an adventure! He and Coralie had been five years married; Gerry was four, Michael was three and I was two. There had been a miscarriage after me, and another baby was on the way. The plan was to move to Rocky where he would earn a decent salary, build a nice house, and the children would have a safe, happy and carefree childhood in a small town where everyone knew and looked out for each other. Our rented home in Rocky was a little blue weatherboard cottage with a small porch at the front and steep back stairs leading into the garden.
It was hardly big enough, with its three tiny bedrooms and small family space, but it would do until Dad could build us our great big family home. Back then, Rocky had a population of around 30 Many hailed from down south, having moved there to join the gold rush. Situated on either side of the Fitzroy River, Rocky was a major port for the region and in the mids serviced one of the biggest goldmines in the world, Mount Morgan, 39 kilometres to the west.
The town had a colonial feel with its broad walkways and wide ornate verandahs, providing much-needed shade. Also built during the gold rush was the beautiful Customs House on Quay Street. Made of local sandstone, with a huge copper dome and semicircular portico, it sat elegantly overlooking the river. The city boasted beautiful botanic gardens, which also included a zoo full of chimpanzees, crocodiles, koalas, kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, dingoes, native Australian birds, and a snake house.
Past the zoo enclosure was our favourite: a simple playground including a whirly-girdy. But I always managed. I loved it. His struggles at school are familiar, but I'm not sure if Li examines hard enough what makes him so talented as a dancer. We get the impression of the capriciousness of luck and how utterly his life was changed simply because—initially—his home commune teacher recommended him.
His sense of guilt is understandable and he never seemed to take his fortune for granted. As always the look at Chinese culture is interesting; the importance of family, respect for elders and the great delusion of communism. As I mentioned in a previous review, the centrality of food to the Chinese is something I find entirely compelling. While I thought the book ended too soon, the post script was helpful and gave a sense of finality. Li perhaps does not give us an insight into his flaws; he seems a little too perfect, but perhaps I'm just being cynical.
The writing is simple and occasionally quite moving; I became teary more than once at a few stages in the book. Worth reading! View 2 comments. November book group choice.
Loved the film. Vicky recommended the book. Many reasons to really like this book. It's a remarkable story of an admirable life in unusual circumstances. There is a continuity of influences, the foundation of his parents and family as well as influential teachers and friends, the Chinese fables that encouraged him in very hard times--the mango and the well.
Feel the weight, cut the skin and savour the fragrance. Then taste the skin and even the nut if you are daring. Then comes the ultimate satisfaction, the pulp. The world up here is enormous. Dreams inspire but, "Great things don't come easily.
There are no shortcuts. Work is required for success. The many references to ballets has prompted me to see more than I've seen to date. My appreciation of dancers and their great commitment and preparation has greatly increased. Nov 22, David rated it really liked it. Li Cunxin was the 6th of 7 sons born to a poor family in rural China. When Chairman and Madame Mao started their "cultural revolution" and decided to revive the Peking Dance Academy, they sent representatives throughout the country to find promising musical and artistic talent specifically from the children of peasants, workers, and soldiers.
Li was chosen at age 11, taken from his family, and sent to the "big city" for rigorous training and indoctrination. He overcomes homesickness, lack of mot Li Cunxin was the 6th of 7 sons born to a poor family in rural China. He overcomes homesickness, lack of motivation and understanding, accidents, and other obstacles to eventually become a world-class ballet dancer. After a cultural exchange visit to the USA, Li's eyes are opened to the difference between the propaganda version of western capitalism and the opportunities he actually viewed.
Then he falls in love, and decides to marry an American and defect, knowing the profound impact it will have on his own life and the lives of family and friends. We follow the years of joy in his exploding career but the agony of separation from his family and homeland, until there is a poignant reunion and reconciliation. Though occasionally sentimental, it's a fascinating story of cultural, artistic, and political discovery - whether you're a ballet fan or not!
Dec 19, Maureen rated it it was amazing Shelves: non-fiction , china. He lives in a very poor village in North East China. He is given the opportunity to go to Being to study ballet. He is only eleven years old and must leave his beloved family.
He is the 6th son in a family of 7 sons. He misses his family dearly and is very homesick. His training is very rigorous and he succumbs to many painful injuries, but his determination prevails. It is a story of courage and strength and the love of his family. He never would have dreamed that one day he would dance with the greatest ballet companies of the World.
This is truly an inspirational story. It should be read by all. I really enjoyed this. It still astounds me to read about people living in communist states who have nothing but think they are living in better conditions than the rest of the world.
I enjoyed reading the wedding customs of his mother and father - th I really enjoyed this. I enjoyed reading the wedding customs of his mother and father - things that sound a little bit tacky in our Western culture e. This was a great read.
I know Li Cunxin had something to do with the Queensland Ballet - I think he was the director - not sure whether he still is, but he makes me a little bit proud to call Queensland my home!! As well as all the other great things about our state! Jan 26, Lilisa rated it really liked it Shelves: non-fiction , china , , around-the-world Li Cunxin overcomes life's challenges and through sheer discipline, drive and the motivation to break through the shackles of communism, does just that.
Born in a commune in northeast China, Li's impoverished family struggled to put food on the table, making sacrifices for each other as the bare essentials for basic living were virtually nonexistent.
Despite the challenging conditions of everyday life, his parents taught him the values and principles that became his life compass as he overcame t Li Cunxin overcomes life's challenges and through sheer discipline, drive and the motivation to break through the shackles of communism, does just that. Despite the challenging conditions of everyday life, his parents taught him the values and principles that became his life compass as he overcame the harsh obstacles and struggles of Mao's regime, and against all odds became an international ballet dancer in the western world.
From early childhood, despite their intense poverty, his parents instilled in him a sense of pride, self-determination and responsibility. His break comes in the form of a delegation from Madame Mao's Dance Academy - he's selected at the last second for a ballet program in Beijing at the age of Separated from his family, thus begins his lonely quest to excel through sheer determination, focus, hard work and the knowledge that ballet is the key to his destiny A story of sacrifice and success, endurance and emotion, of family and friendship, Mao's Last Dancer is a contrast of two worlds, simply told but yet moving and motivating.
A remarkable life and one to be admired. Aug 12, Tisha rated it it was amazing. I read this book in a little under 24 hours, almost unable to put it down. In this memoir, Li writes of an impoverished childhood in rural China in the 60's and 70's under the Mao Zedong regime. He deals frankly with his everyday realities: disease, starvation, accidental injury and the lack of basic survival needs intertwined with unconditional love, laughter and the incredibly strong value system of a proud family.
He writes of being snatched from this world to the only slightly less brutal wo I read this book in a little under 24 hours, almost unable to put it down. He writes of being snatched from this world to the only slightly less brutal world of homesickness, compulsive exercise, political brainwashing and fierce competition in the world of Chinese ballet. From there, he seizes a chance to defect to America.
How he deals with the never-ending push to be better, better, best within the world of ballet, broken dreams of love and family and his "survivor's guilt" regarding his estranged family back in China makes for a wonderful read.
This book made me laugh, made me cry, made me think hard about my own privilege and what it means to live in America Highly recommend! A Goodreads friend had seen the film and recommended it so I watched the DVD first and highly recommend it both for the dramatic story and the beautiful dancing Li Cunxin is played in the movie by a dancer I liked it so much I went to the library and got book.
I am a ballet fan and I am embarrassed to say that I had not heard of Li Cunxin, although he performed with the Houston Ballet for 16 years and made guest appearances with most of the major ballet companies. There are more elegantly writ A Goodreads friend had seen the film and recommended it so I watched the DVD first and highly recommend it both for the dramatic story and the beautiful dancing Li Cunxin is played in the movie by a dancer I liked it so much I went to the library and got book.
There are more elegantly written memoirs, but the story is riveting, including the role the elder George and Mrs. Bush played in his life Barbara Bush was a patron of the Houston Ballet. There are many moving scenes but certainly one of the most moving is when he is finally able to return to his village in China and he and his wife dance for his family, friends and villagers.
It also presents the Cultural Revolution through one individual's life and his responses at the time and as he grows older.
It really is just an amazing story. Aug 16, Rebecca Carter rated it it was amazing Shelves: non-fiction , travel , inspirational , autobiography , reads , history , cultural-asia , biography , cultural-china , dance.
This book is written in a simple style, yet is still incredibly inspiring and thought provoking with its glimpses into communism in China and the stark differences with the west. I loved the little Chinese fables that were included to show where Li got his drive to succeed and strength to grow from. It's not often a book can bring tears to my eyes, but this managed it on more than one occasion!
You don't have to be a fan of dance or ballet to enjoy this book, although being a ballet fan I may be This book is written in a simple style, yet is still incredibly inspiring and thought provoking with its glimpses into communism in China and the stark differences with the west. You don't have to be a fan of dance or ballet to enjoy this book, although being a ballet fan I may be a little biased in how much I loved this book, but I would recommend this to anybody to read.
Feb 12, Emma rated it it was amazing. Wow, this was such an amazing read! It inspired me so much! It was the perfect mixture between ballet and history. I would highly recommend it!
May 08, Jz rated it did not like it. Li, Cunxin, the author, was an acclaimed ballet dancer before he wrote the book, which eventually was cast into a touching movie in He is a celebrity. His extraordinary experience was shared with thousands of readers. Many people, especially young readers, get the book as it is either required by the school or the book club they join, including my daughter.
After she bought the youth version book from Dymocks, I got a chance to flip through a few chapters. The author crafted a storyline starting from until when he defected. KMT, the ruling political party, controlled most of the central cities in Shangdong province, while communist party had some control of more rural area.
The battle in Qingbao during the domestic war started in May , and a month later, Li Cun, the town where they lived, was occupied by the communist army. Clearly in , their village was not under the ruling of communist government.
It started in and faded out in The author was born into the commune system in , at the place known as Li Cun Commune, but his parents did not live in the commune system until twelve years later after they got married. At the beginning of Culture Revolution, it was shut down in together with all other major art schools. Six years later, Madam Mao, who was mostly known as Jiang Qing in China, helped set up a new school called Central Wu Qi Art School in in order to employ art to accelerate her propaganda.
In November , the school was reborn with a new name, Beijing Dance Academy, which was used since then. The author graduated from Beijing Dance Academy only months after it got this new name. The new school abandoned the curriculum from the Culture Revolution and replaced with a more normal one close to western. A convenient error? In chapter thirteen, the author vividly recounted the journey to Tiananmen Square where Mao appeared on the podium of the Gate Heavenly Peace meeting millions of people.
It was the way Mao ignited the fire of revolution. Some videos can also be found in youtube nowadays. Deng Xiaoping was the person in charge of the day to day government before he was arrested again. It was impossible for these two old people to meet millions people like they did eight years ago. Gang of Four were arrested in the evening of Oct 6, The action continued until 4am next morning and remained as top secret for several days.
However, in this book, the author said people were celebrating right in the evening of Oct 6, He made his own version of history. As a person growing up in China during Culture Revolution, all of these extraordinary stories in the book are not unheard of. Many of these stories lack a sounding logic.
But I am more care about whether those belong only to this autobiography or not. More over, I am deeply concerned that his celebrity authority will dictate a wrong version of history to the young generation who just start learning history, especially from another country with a different language. Nov 16, Aubrey rated it it was ok Shelves: authorness , r-goodreads , non-fiction , person-of-everything , r , 1-read-on-hand , antidote-think-twice-read , antidote-think-twice-all , reviewed , 2-star.
I heard everyone there carries guns. If they don't like you they'll just shoot you. That alone would 2. This one had its moments of insight, pathos, and even charm, but much as Li was likely only helped as much as he was due to how useful a figure he would be to the US and co.
So, clearly a work that would have benefitted had I read it all the way back in , but how much would have such a reading benefitted me? Enough to outweigh the unpacking I would have had to do for the next eight years? I have my doubts. I remember the days of having to do little more than what I was told, a portion of which involved my participation in an intensive sport that I had no control over the choosing of.
The sport infrastructure and pedagogical guidance were certainly better equipped, less confusing, and more mindful of my physical limits than were Li's, but I can't say that my awareness of the international scope of the WASP capitalism that I subconsciously imbibed day in and day out was any better than his was regarding Chinese communism.
If I had been pulled out of school, rigorously boxed into my respective sport, chosen for an international delegation, and then flown off to China, much as how Li did not see a single percent of the true landscape of the United States, I would not have toured the regions that he was born and bred in in full exposure to the political reality of his nation.
Put Li of the '70s and '80s in a the region of, say, Oakland in California, or Detroit in Michigan, or any of the countries that 'disaster capitalism' had designated as feeding grounds for the blessed denizens of the country he chose to defect to out of personal principle and no small amount of hedonism , and he would have seen a truer representation of Houston in Texas, if one too complicated for him to grasp at the time.
I'm not faulting Li for writing what he knew, but I do hope he realized at some point how much his success is due to how useful a political pawn he was for a country that, a year after he defected, all but pardoned the highly publicized white supremacist murder of Vincent Chin. At the very least, I would hope the readers of this work would acknowledge such, but I don't have much faith in the 'reading for pleasure' crowd when it comes to that kind of critical legwork.
It doesn't surprise me that not only is there a young reader's version of this work, it only cuts out around a hundred pages or so of the original material. Other than the references to sex and gun violence, all of this reads not that differently from your standard small European child bildungsroman, albeit with some cultural differences and the lack of such things such as boarding schools and tea time. I imagine they cut out the references of the antiblack violence specific to the US as well, which if left in would have just been too much for the coddled little white kid that that kind of edition is always largely aimed towards.
In any case, this was over and done, and it was admittedly nice to have something that wasn't too intensive when reading about disaster capitalism and Nazi philosophy and some truly nasty neoliberal fantasies became too much. Such is the price one pays when one has my kind of reading appetite during Nonfiction November, so my following this work with the next volume in a series of fiction that I have on a yearly schedule will likely prove a needed respite.
All in all, this is a work that has its strengths and its weaknesses. I just wouldn't recommend it to anyone old enough to drink.
Those normal European countries with their strong social safety nets, workers' protections, powerful trade unions and socialized health care emerged as a compromise between Communism and capitalism. Now that there was no need for compromise, all those moderating social policies were under siege in Western Europe, just as they were under siege in Canada, Australia and the U. Jul 28, Caroline rated it really liked it Shelves: memoir.
A simple and yet beautiful memoir of a ballet dancer, who was taken from his peasant classed family as a young 11 year old boy in Qingdao, and brought to Beijing, to attend a dance school that received the patronage of Madam Mao Tze Dong. Cunxin takes us through his childhood, growing up as one of 7 sons of poor peasant family during China's Cultural Revolution. They are all subjected to Mao's communist propaganda, believing China to be a glorious nation and that despite the fact that they are po A simple and yet beautiful memoir of a ballet dancer, who was taken from his peasant classed family as a young 11 year old boy in Qingdao, and brought to Beijing, to attend a dance school that received the patronage of Madam Mao Tze Dong.
They are all subjected to Mao's communist propaganda, believing China to be a glorious nation and that despite the fact that they are poor, often hungry and also overworked, other countries in the West were far worse off then they were. His descriptions of their living conditions as seen through his eyes as a child were matter-of-fact. The commune they live in provide them with a close community wherein everyone in the village shares in one another's joy and troubles.
Although they are poor, Cuxin and his brothers are brought up by their parents and grandmother to be dignified, carry themselves with pride, and more importantly, never to do anything that will bring disgrace to the Li name.
His descriptions of his family was nothing short of touching in the depth of love that their parents showed each other and their children. When he's selected among the many students in his school to attend the illustrious dance school in Beijing, he faced loneliness and homesickness for the initial years at the school.
He was allowed home only once a year for one month, for the Chinese New Year. He saved what he could of his meager allowance to buy gifts for his family and friends, and also money for his parents.
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