Li was born into utter poverty i maos communist china. In the novel maos last dancer, li uses characterisation to express the key themes of inner strength, determination and courage, change and journey, and traditions and beliefs. It tells his gripping tale of growing up in a poor family of six boys. Months after reading the book, it remains vivid and unforgettable. Mao s last dancer feels a bit attenuated at the end. Maos last dancer is an epic tale of love and betrayal, triumph and heartbreak, that captures the reallife drama and emotion of one mans search for freedom. The 2003 autobiography maos last dancer, by li cunxin, is a book that is open to interpretationoverall, it is an interesting book that presents many different ideas and themes, including traditional chinese culture and the comparison between east and west ideology. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics. After taking the first exams of the year, cunxin is allowed to return home for the chinese new year. Lis autobiography, maos last dancer, has received numerous accolades including the australian book of the year award and has been published around the world. From him being destined to be a peasant boy working out in the fields to a worldfamous professional dancer.
The true story of how a small, terrified, lonely boy, plucked from his life in rural china, became one of the greatest ballet dancers in the world. The book was adapted for the movie by australian screenwriter jan sardi. Maos last dancer by li cunxin penguin books australia. Maos last dancer by li cunxin book club discussion. It recounts his journey from a young, impoverished. Maos last dancer is a 2009 australian film based on professional dancer li cunxins autobiography of the same name. Maos last dancer is a heartwarming autobiography which reflects on the past of li cunxin, the author, who went from living a life of extreme poverty to. In maos last dancer, the author includes an appendix, which outlines the historical events mentioned in the book. The young reader edition of the international bestseller. One day he would dance with some of the greatest ballet companies of the world. Li s years with the houston and australian ballets are passed over much more quickly than his chinese upbringing.
And while maos last dancer is not a selfimprovement book, lis courage and perseverance ultimately make his story more inspiring than a dozen tomes by the likes of dr. The author, who has three children with wife mary mckendry, herself a dancer, hopes the book will inspire readers. Eventually, li retired as a ballet dancer and he currently lives in melbourne, australia with his family. Maos last dancer by li cunxin meet your next favorite book. From bitter poverty to the stardom of the west this is the extraordinary true story of one boys great courage and determination. Visit the official mao s laster dancer movie website. A site dedicated to book lovers providing a forum to discover and share commentary about the books and authors they enjoy. English maos last dancer quotes flashcards quizlet. May 14, 2004 maos last dancer tells his story may 14, 2004 by. It is about a young boy who lives in a family with 6 brothers, in poverty in china, and cunxin, his name, is chosen, when he is 11, to be part of the beijing dance academy. Feel the weight, then cut the skin and savour the fragrance. The childrens version won the australian publishers associations book of the year for younger children and the queensland premiers literary awards childrens book award. Sep 12, 2014 maos last dancer by li cunxin young readers edition just this week i had finished reading the autobiography novel, maos last dancer by li cunxin.
Buy this book this is the heartening ragstoriches story of li, who achieved prominence on the international. Maos last dancer 3 out of 4 li cunxin gets plenty of advice before he leaves china for a temporary stint with the houston ballet. Alas, maos last dancer, the film based on lis 2003 biography, is a fairly dry, conventional account of what could have been a dramaticallycharged, emotional and thrilling tale. Buy maos last dancer first uk edition first impression by cunxin, li isbn. Maos last dancer maos last dancer is a fantastic book. Mao s last dancer, the autobiography of li cunxin, is told in a simple, straightforward manner, principally because english is not the author s native language. Maos last dancer was released in australian cinemas on 1 october 2009. Maos last dancer compare and contrast essay maos last dancer published by li cunxin in 2003 demonstrates the journey of lis life from a young age. The narrator of the memoir, who grew up in a destitute rural. Maos last dancer not only tells the true story of a boy growing up and.
When he gets there, his parents tell him that despite his bad grades, they will continue to support him and always be proud of him. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of maos last dancer by li cunxin. It goes on to share his eventual defection to the united states as an artistic dancer. I want you to treat pirouettes like a mango admire the unique shape, notice the colour, enjoy the smell. It tells his riveting tale of growing up in a poor family of six boys, living in a village in china under maos reign.
In a village of china named quingdao in the book, the eleven yearold li cunxin is selected by the communist party to study ballet at the madame maos dance academy in beijing. Li cunxins effective use of literary techniques provides us with a valuable insight into the most memorable ideas of his life experiences. Aug 20, 2010 this feature is not available right now. This book has wide appeal, for it concerns not only a dancers coming of age in a turbulent time but also individual strength, selfdiscovery, and the triumph of the human spirit. Maos last dancer chapter summaries by jeremy deane on prezi. Evoking a vivid sense of lifes evolution in communist china and the stark contrast of western society, he also crosses chasms of the heart. The novel, maos last dancer, was written by li cunxin. Told in his own distinctive voice, this is li s inspirational story of how he came to be mao s last dancer, and one of the world s greatest ballet dancers. I found the book to be a very interesting read as it was very inspiring and emotional. Mao s last dancer is a memoir written by chineseaustralian author li cunxin and first published in 2003. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Find books like maos last dancer from the worlds largest community of readers. Goodreads members who liked maos last dancer also liked. On, edit images, videos and 360 photos in one place.
Jul 27, 2010 maos last dancer by li cunxin from a desperately poor village in northeast china, to a career that took him across the world, this is the incredible story of li cunxin a story that almost vanished, like so many other peasants lives, amid revolution and chaos. Mar 30, 2004 mao s last dancer, the autobiography of li cunxin, is told in a simple, straightforward manner, principally because english is not the author s native language. In 2010 it became the nations most popular australian title on dvd. Library journal the facts of his life are astonishing on their own, but what makes li cunxins engrossing autobiography so captivating is his enthusiastic. The dept of poverty that li came from and his luck to be chosen and became a dancer meant the stars were lined up for his success in the world. At the age of eleven, li cunxin was one of the privileged few selected to serve in chairman mao s cultural revolution by studying at the beijing dance academy. If there is a sparknotes, shmoop, or cliff notes guide, we will have it listed. Maos last dancer is a must read for individuals who are interested in dance, talent development, chinese history, family relationships, and autobiographies. Stay connected to your students with prezi video, now in microsoft teams. These include reference map, a historical timeline of china in the 20th century and black and white photos with captions. Maos last dancer is a memoir written by chineseaustralian author li cunxin and first published in 2003. I saw the movie first and i found the book just as fascinating. Maos last dancer by li cunxin overdrive rakuten overdrive. Maos last dancer is based on the 2003 autobiography of chinaborn ballet dancer, li cunxin b.
Maos last dancer is a heartwarming autobiography which reflects on the past of li cunxin, the author, who went from living a life of extreme poverty to becoming an international dance star. It is physical in the way li cunxin had to work hard to be a professional ballet dancer and it is also mental as it is a road to selfdiscovery. Maos last dancer i chose the autographical novel maos last dancer, composed by li cunxin, as it has several themes that convey the idea of a journey. Find all available study guides and summaries for maos last dancer by li cunxin. From a desperately poor village in northeast china, to a career that took him across the world. Bruce beresfords latest movie is based on a true story about a chineseborn ballet dancer who ends up as a principal dancer for the houston. Read free book excerpt from maos last dancer by li cunxin, page 1 of 1. Li cunxins memoir tells his incredible story of rising from extreme poverty. Maos last dancer 2009 frequently asked questions imdb. At age eleven li cunxin was plucked from school by visiting officials to attend ballet school in beijing.
Maos last dancer summary and analysis like sparknotes free. But most of this story is new, startling, and gracefully told, a fitting invitation to a new season of memories from a generation reared in chinese communism s last show of strength. Maos last dancer is the autobiography of li cunxin. This fact shouldnt deter anyone from reading this moving account of a chinese peasant boy s rise to fame as a ballet dancer and subsequent defection to the west. In a village of china named quingdao in the book, the eleven yearold li cunxin is selected by the communist party to study ballet at the madame maos dance. What i find most interesting is the fact that li cunxin published three. Content includes books from bestselling, midlist and debut authors. Curators notes maos last dancer 2009 on aso australias. It recounts his journey from a young, impoverished village boy destined to labor in the fields of china to a worldfamous professional dancer. Downloadread maos last dancer, young readers edition maos. One day he would be a friend to a president and first lady, movie stars and the most influential people in america. China speakers agency proudly presents li cunxin, chinese motivational speaker. Years later, he travels to houston in a cultural exchange program invited by the artistic director ben stevenson and he is promoted to principal dancer of the houston.
1053 727 78 611 291 740 921 1305 1249 1446 1256 585 666 592 462 31 319 1241 1058 1479 668 743 1526 405 1439 484 283 318 434 535 1269 1011 445 717 448 784 223 433 364 1168