Name: Mao's last dancer
ISBN: 9780425201336

Li, Cunxin

Mao's last dancer

A massive book but I loved how it was written! Felt like a fiction author telling a story but was actually Li’s real life! So interesting to learn about the extraordinary life he had

rebecca

Li Cunxin

One day, not so very many years ago, a small peasant boy was chosen to study ballet at the Beijing Dance Academy. His mother urged him to take this chance of a lifetime. But Li was only eleven years old and he was scared and lonely, pushed away from all that he had ever known and loved. He hated the strict training routines and the strange place he had been brought to. All he wanted to do was go home – to his mother, father and six brothers, to his own small village. But soon Li realised that his mother was right. He had the chance to do something special with his life – and he never turned back . . . Visit the official Mao's Laster Dancer Movie website maoslastdancermovie.com

Young Readers Edition

Mao's Last Dancer

Belle

I found it fascinating that Li was able to remember so much detail about his childhood. It was interesting to learn so much about living in China, and how politics affected his life. The writing was okay, easy to read but nothing spectacular.

Kat A

Amazing, super emotional story. Planning on watching the movie soon.

Dianka Nguyen

A very intriguing read and it was really inspirational. The small notes of thought and crevices of hope were really insightful and I enjoyed it. However it is quite slow at the beginning but the whole book had a loving feel to it.  

Monica

I liked it a lot, but I would not give it five stars since it is not a masterpiece in my opinion. However, I couldn't put it down.

It is very easy to read and it engages you in the story a lot. You can identify with Cunxin and understand his feelings all the time. You see him growing in a commune in China and follow his steps trying to become a dancer. Of course, the author is not a novelist and that is manifested in his writing stile; however, I find it quite interesting that he wrote it in English, having learnt this language in his teen years.

The content is just fantastic: love for the family, the things you leave behind after making a decision, the need to look forward and not be stuck in the past...

Recommended!

Mao's last dancer

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