An Interesting Autobiography

Mao's Last Dancer

The autobiography of Li Cunxin

I picked up this book at my sister's place but she had lined me up to read it for some time.

It is the very interesting story of a Chinese peasant boy who became an international ballet dancing sensation.

What adds to the interest for us is that Li Cunxin eventually married a former Rockhampton girl who also became an international ballet dancer. Mary McKendry is not known personally to me but I knew her sister well as we were in the same class in high school! and I visited their home on occasion.

Cunxin's life is extremely interesting because he was born, the sixth of seven sons, to poor peasant farmers during the regime of Chairman Mao and he describes in depth the life they endured as well as many fascinating facts, from his point of view, of Chinese life at that time. Also, since he was born in 1961, his whole life and the events he describes mirror closely the dates in my own life which really brought it to life in a sense of what was happening in the world . I am fairly naive as to the historical events of the Revolution in China and this was a good eye witness account to open my eyes a little.

Cunxin himself, like most of the billion Chinese people, was completely brain washed by the propaganda of Mao's philosophy and rule and joined, as a young boy, their red scarf youth. His amazing release from a certain life of poverty came about by being chosen to train in Madame Mao's Dancing Academy. This was also an institution of political brain washing but eventually Cunxin is given the opportunity to dance in America. He marries, defects, is banished from China, divorces, re unites with his parents and eventually remarries the above mentioned Mary.

For a non christian book, and one in which the author was raised in a mixture of ancient Chinese superstition and communist anti religion, it contains very little and mild bad language. Also, some immorality . This sadly when Cunxin escapes the rigid, controlling rule of the Chinese and goes to liberal America. Cunxin eventually ended his dancing career in Australia and now lives and works here with his family.

I found the book well worth the read and if you pick it up, don't be put off by the thickness of it. It has large print and thick pages. Not a laborious read at all.