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Captivating memoir documenting Li‘s childhood in Mao‘s Communist China and his journey from poor peasant boy to world renowned ballet dancer. Though the writing is simple, Li conveys his story with a passion and emotion that is deeply felt. He speaks eloquently about the family, friends, and mentors that inspired him and supported him. The Chinese fables, traditions, and customs that motivated and grounded Li provide a richness throughout. 4⭐️

This memoir was a really interesting cultural story and I enjoyed it for the most part but I must say the writing was very basic. Almost juvenile. This bothered me a bit but it made for an easy relaxing read and the story kept me engaged. 🇨🇳

#ReadingtheWorld
#Hunsakermountain
Read a book set in the Far East. China.

I really enjoyed this memoir about Li Cunxin's rise to fame to a world class ballet dancer. Some of the most memorable moments for me were learning about Mao's Cultural Revolution, close family ties (if you have family you have everything), seeing America through the eyes of an immigrant and enjoying the pictures included in the book. #ReadingtheWorld

Books to read in May. I have started Mao's Last Dancer which I am enjoying. Really looking forward to Suite Francaise, it has been on my to-do list for quite some time.

Li Cunxin shared a story that is so inspirational, so beautifully told ... I listened to all 15+ hours in two days.

An interesting true story about one of China‘s dancers who defects to the US. The story shows how he deals with his childhood in poverty and working hard to get himself to a place where he has opportunities. The most interesting part of the book is the seeing how brainwashed the people of China were during Mao‘s ruling. Writing was ok, but the story is interesting.

An Audible I haven't gotten to yet. I just today learned there's a 2010 movie. #dancingqueen #ABBAinAugust

An inspiring memoir by Li Cunxin,who was born into extreme poverty but rose to become a world famous ballet dancer. A moving tale about the quest for freedom & the courage to live your own life. It certainly took Cunxin more than #onedance to be admitted to the famous Madame Mao‘s Dance Academy, & became a great dancer. The book has been adapted to an Australian film in 2009.
#HeatofJuly

I borrowed this off a colleague yrs ago & am finally finished with it. She asks for it back all the time! Moral to the story is don‘t lend me books! I am obsessed with ballet. I‘m off to ballet class now so of course I loved this book. A dancer‘s life is hard. You have to be so critical of yourself & you have to be able to put up with constant critique but it is a beautiful art form to attempt to master although you know you never will.

@CSeydel #weekendchat

📚 A Wrinkle in Time

📚 Too many to count! I am ALWAYS doing this

📚 Li Cunxin (Mao's Last Dancer)

📚 Tootsie rolls (I don't remember which book though!)

🇨🇳 🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳🇨🇳 Merry Christmas, everyone!

I was fully prepared for this book to be really dry (sometimes I find memoirs difficult to read) but it was lovely and heart warming. I could really tell how much he loves his family. It was heart breaking at times but it was brilliantly and honestly told.

Two for the price one: #occupationintitle #letsdance

#fallintobooks #septembowie
@Marchpane @Cinfhen @RealLifeReading

Do Not Say really gave me an interest in reading a bit more about China. Just got this in a charity shop - I think this is the authors signature too.

#readjanuary #autobiography I don't read a lot of autobiographies, but when I do they are usually by ballet dancers. I write about dance, teach dance, and have my degree in dance, so only makes sense I'd read about dance too! #ballet #nonfiction

#memorablememoirs #booktober @RealLifeReading
I'll never forget the descriptions of degradation and poverty in Mao's Last Dancer (this is a signed edition - heard him speak in 2007) An incredible life story; ballet gave him a chance to survive, but what happens when you become a world star in communist China?
The Spark is about a whole other kind of battle. A mother and her journey to raise her son with his "differently wired" brain. Inspiring!

For #Recommendsday: Mao's Last Dancer was a nonfiction print favorite a few years back. It's also today's audible daily deal... average rating of 4.4 👍🏻

For #Recommendsday: Mao's Last Dancer was a nonfiction print favorite a few years back. It's also today's audible daily deal... average rating of 4.4 👍🏻