Mao's Last Dancer Audiobook By Li Cunxin cover art

Mao's Last Dancer

Young Readers' Edition

 Preview
LIMITED TIME OFFER

3 months free
Try for $0.00
Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 3 months. Cancel anytime.

Mao's Last Dancer

By: Li Cunxin
Narrated by: Paul English
Try for $0.00

$0.00/mo. after 3 months. Offer ends July 31, 2025 at 11:59PM PT. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $19.49

Buy for $19.49

Confirm purchase
Pay using card ending in
Switch payment method
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use, License, and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.
Cancel

One day, not so very many years ago, a small peasant boy was chosen to study ballet at the Beijing Dance Academy. His mother urged him to take this chance of a lifetime. But Li was only eleven years old and he was scared and lonely, pushed away from all that he had ever known and loved. He hated the strict training routines and the strange place he had been brought to. All he wanted to do was go home - to his mother, father, and six brothers, to his own small village. But soon Li realised that his mother was right. He had the chance to do something special with his life - and he never turned back.

©2003 Li Cunxin (P)2006 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd Biographies Growing Up Nonfiction China

Critic reviews

"Plucked from poverty, Li Cunxin was brought to Beijing to learn ballet. Later, after defecting, he became a principal dancer in both the Houston and the Australian Ballets, ultimately becoming world renowned. Paul English's crisp accents march precisely through Chinese pronunciations and the difficult stories of Li's early life in Quingdao. Occasionally, English pauses on emotional peaks, portraying, for example, Li's fear when his mother faints from hunger and his loneliness while adjusting to life at the dance school. Mostly, English's level narration allows listeners to imagine the contrasts of Li's life - his incomprehension of the wealth and freedom he sees while visiting the U.S. And, soon after, his struggle to attain them." ( AudioFile Magazine)

People who viewed this also viewed...

Mao's Last Dancer Audiobook By Li Cunxin cover art
Mao's Last Dancer By: Li Cunxin
All stars
Most relevant  
To think that somebody can write this way on his second language.., the story line is great.
I went looking for the book after watching the movie, movie that I found by happy happenstance. Definitely a favorite.

Loved it!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
It has been a great pleasure hearing this story. It is well crafted, the life lessons are incredible, the sojourn wonderful. Well done!

Great story!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
What an amazing inspirational story, we need more people as Mr. Li to help us understand the strengths the people of China have. Thank You Mr. Li !!!

True inspiration

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
I enjoyed how the story gives insight into China during Mao from the point of view of a young peasant boy thrown into the role of a dancer. The story line was captivating from a historical point of view as well as inspirational and entertaining. I would most definitely recommend this book!

Excellent book!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

Where does Mao's Last Dancer rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Tie first. It was first last week but then I completed "The Condition".

What was one of the most memorable moments of Mao's Last Dancer?

The story about the man who "died" because he choked on an egg and then came to life after a robber punched him in the stomach.


Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it was interesting, heartwarming, exciting, both sad and happy.

Any additional comments?

I would like to listen to it in one sitting again and again, okay and maybe a couple more agains.

Other memorable moments:

Him breaking his pencil trying to write for the first time.

When he breaks his mother's new plates trying to make her a surprise meal.

When his parent's get applauded at the first performances of his they get to watch in America. And that curtain rise was kept on hold until they arrived.

Happiness rising from the injustise

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
A beautiful and touching true story of a peasant boy who is an amazing dancer and becomes wealthy and happy

Best book ever

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.