The true story of a poor Chinese peasant boy who, plucked unsuspectingly at the age of ten from millions of others across the land to be trained as a ballet dancer, turned the situation to his advantage to become one of the world's greatest ballet stars. Li tells his story with charm and simplicity, with humour and compassion and at times with great drama. His childhood is drawn, despite the terrible hardships, with love and affection, as we share in the lives of Li and his large family. This contrasts starkly with the seven lonely years of gruelling training at the Peking Dance Academy, and more starkly again when Li is selected, at age 18, to perform at the Houston Ballet's summer school which led to a dramatic defection. He could never return to his family and his courage in the face of extreme loneliness, his determination to succeed and his commitment and self-discipline make an awesome, inspiring and moving story that should speak to readers of all ages everywhere.

Accolades

Winner of Nielsen BookData/ABA Book of the Year Award - Booksellers' Choice 2003.

Reviews

'It is a joy to read a book by someone who actually has a story to tell… This is one man's epic story, simply and generously told.' Herald, 'His vivid descriptions of life at home, surviving on family love and dried yams, and of the harsh regime, make riveting reading' Guardian 'Mao's Last Dancer is a modern fairy-tale. Li Cunxin's story is a breathtaking indictment of brute Communism, told with great honesty' - Kate Adie 'Appalling, brave and funny … you cannot do better than to read this book' Mail on Sunday