Summary

"Mao's Last Dancer" is the inspiring true story of Li Cunxin, a young boy from rural China who was selected to attend the prestigious Beijing Dance Academy during Mao Zedong's communist regime. The autobiography vividly depicts Li's impoverished childhood in a commune, where starvation and hardship were commonplace, and loyalty to Chairman Mao was paramount.

At the Beijing Dance Academy, Li faced rigorous training and political indoctrination. Initially resistant to ballet, he gradually developed a passion for the art form under the guidance of Teacher Xiao, who instilled in him a love for dance and a desire for excellence. The academy became Li's world for seven long years, a place of both intense discipline and deep friendships.

As China began to open to the West following Mao's death, Li was given a rare opportunity to study and perform in the United States. His experiences in "filthy capitalist America" challenged his long-held communist beliefs and exposed him to a world of freedom and artistic expression he had never imagined. He grappled with the conflict between his loyalty to China and his newfound love for ballet and personal freedom.

During his time in America, Li fell in love with Elizabeth Mackey, an American dancer. Faced with the prospect of returning to China and leaving Elizabeth behind, Li made the difficult decision to defect, seeking political asylum in the United States. This decision severed his ties with his family and country, causing him immense emotional turmoil.

The defection led to a tense standoff at the Chinese consulate in Houston, where Li was held against his will. With the help of lawyer Charles Foster and support from the American government, Li was eventually freed and allowed to remain in the United States, starting a new life with Elizabeth. Although their marriage eventually ended, Li went on to have a successful career as a principal dancer with the Houston Ballet and later with the Australian Ballet.

The autobiography culminates with Li's emotional return to China after many years of separation, where he reunited with his family and shared his life with them. "Mao's Last Dancer" is a powerful story of perseverance, self-discovery, and the triumph of the human spirit over adversity.