Mao's Last Dancer - Book Review

BOOK REVIEW

Mao's Last Dancer

Li Cunxin

Autobiography

The best-selling autobiography, an inspiring and captivating tale about the journey of an ill-fortuned peasant boy, has emerged itself onto the internationally commended stage in book-writing, after its publication in 2003. Li Cunxin unravelled his life story in an emotive, subjective fashion as he depicted his grand struggle from an impoverished life in rural China, to a globally acclaimed performer in the art of dance. The life account eventuated itself alongside the likes of Li's beloved niang (mother), hard-working dia (father) and numerous, loving brothers and cousins in conjunction with the honest persona in Li Cunxin himself. Gradually, the inclusion of influential teachers and fellow students was present, before the story shifted focus to the West and its characters. As the book progressed, the outlying principle of change was fully grasped as readers were walked through the stepping stones of the author's life journey.

A product of Penguin Books Australia, the pages read a flowing and factual storyline, based on the experiences of a changing figure in Li. The simple yet effective use of three parts on the pages in between the front and back covers was made successful in its representation of major turning points in the storyline. Beginning as a simple villager in a destitute environment of a remote area in Shandong Province, his life had no destiny but for laborious work in the fields of a China touched by the cold hand in communism. The protagonist was ultimately admitted into Madame Mao' Beijing Dance Academy as part of an opportunity pulled from the clouds. His arduous training at the Academy was followed every step of the way by Cunxin's rich language that had the ability to make us all feel empathetic. The courageous efforts and determined nature of the young man resulted in his transfer to the Western vicinity of the USA, a step he took which required him to think twice about his strong Communist devotion. The sacrifices and hardships he faced throughout his life led to the glory of one of the world's best dancers but the severe pain in his heart in regards to his lost relations with his loving family and China.

Mao's Last Dancer is not at all devoted towards one group of people. The audience is however limited to those only who can appreciate the vast amounts of change in Li's life, and perhaps high school students and up. What will fully entice the readers is the gem-like language Li brings to his novel. It is in these words that are located ample amounts of imagery, energy and life, motivating feelings of empathy, sympathy, sorrow and content in the audience of this autobiography. Li was at one with the

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