Last Dancer for this Year
December 27th 2006 08:12
Image: penguin.com
Apologies for not updating this blog in so long. Christmas, along with the arrival of my twin grandsons home after 9 weeks in hospital got the better of me. But book clubs stop for no man (not ours anyway) and the winding up 2006 brought us to the biography Mao’s Last Dancer by Li Cunxin. This amazing story follows the poor peasant boy Li Cunxin through Mao’s Red China to fame and fortune in the west as a world renowned ballet dancer. This is the first biography our club has read together, so it was interesting to see what sort of discussion it provoked. Not as lively as some of our others, but noteworthy none the less.
Shirley brought up the question of the children’s diet within Cunxin’s commune and how they managed to be as healthy as they were. They seemed to have so little to eat, but there was not much reference made to the degree of fatalities due to health issues. Did Cunxin purposely avoid this aspect, or was their diet really not so bad? In today’s western society maybe we are made to believe we need more than we really do!
The strong family bond of the peasant Chinese was also mentioned, as was the Chinese culture itself and how many of these people accepted their fate.
But without a doubt the strongest point this book brought to all of us was the form of brain-washing Mao’s cultural revolution performed on its people, especially the children. We all found this appalling, and those of us who have read Wild Swans recognized similar observations of this time in China. And Tera was able to give us some first hand experiences of her visit to China in 1987, which helped to put this complex country and its people into even clearer perspective.
A few of us, myself included, felt that the hype this book received when first released put expectations a little high, but generally it was agreed that it is a worthwhile read that imparts remarkable knowledge of this time in China’s history. And of course, at its core it is a rags to riches fairy tale. Something none of us can resist!
Happy New Year to all my readers. Looking forward to another great year of books. Hope you are too!
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Comment by LeonardTheScholar
Comment by Professor Eistein
Comment by Sir Gilberte
Comment by Lady Diana
Comment by Sir Gilberte
Comment by Joanne
Open Book
As for intelligent comments, well intelligence is more likely to be found in commentary that is able to critique at a constructive level, allowing for diversity in style, experience, translation, genre, audience and collaboration - mostly with publishers (hence the two writing styles).
Li Cunxin, as stated in the original blog, is not a writer. He makes it quite clear in his acknowledgements that without an editor and the delving of many people’s memories, Last Dancer would never have been written. In fact, I got the impression reading the acknowledgements that he was literally talked into writing this book. So to look for literary genius in an autobiography is folly. Our book club agreed on the quality of the writing – mediocre at best. But our conclusion that Cunxin story was worth the writing, if not the hype, I think is sound.
As to even suggest that someone whose marriage fails does not hold love and family life dear is preposterous. I can only presume it comes from someone who has not as yet experienced all of life’s ups and downs.
Finally I would like to add that regardless of the writing style, Cunxin’s accomplishments under such adverse conditions is astounding and should be told. I for one would never have known his story if not for Last Dancer. I would dearly love to know the life achievements of anyone who is so keen to hoe into an autobiography such as Cunxin’s.
But then everyone is entitled to their opinion (thank goodness) and I love discussion and debate about books. It is the one thing that can really make a book worth reading. Don't you agree?
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Joanne
Open Book
First, if you hated the book so much I dare say you shouldn't have read it. You are using up an awful lot of energy (and space) on something you obviously find distasteful. Second, I suggest you try reading the original blog first before commenting, this saves the same points being made twice. Then, lets have something constructive ... please! Not just nonsensical bashing.
It's below me, and I'm sure you.
Comment by Anonymous
what do you have to say on the idea of fate in the book?
Comment by Li Cunxin
Comment by Joanne
Open Book
Comment by Mrs Potter
Cunxin's memoir is a somewhat moving, remarkable story, but for the most part it is in no way a great work of literature or even and unique story. There have been many stories typical of this format to come out of China, and after reading several of them they become a tired, over-used theme. This memoir did nothing to stand out from the rest, if anything, it seemed more self-indulgent and temperamental than the others.
The use of language in this book is erratic, varying the use of vivid imagery and powerful encounters to vulgar language, such as Cunxin's stories of the 'shit-man'. This lack of consistency made the book difficult to read and did not resonate with me, and I'm sure, many other educated readers.
Without getting too personal, I found the section of the book in which Cunxin defects to the west to be largely defensive and unapologetic. Certainly his time in China was extremely difficult, but the means he went through to escape it were hardly honourable. It is hard for me to fathom how this kind of behaviour can be respected and idolised. While he suffered terrible hardships at the dance academy in Beijing, his opportunities there were disproportionate to the opportunities he would have had if he had remained in his small commune and I felt that to betray Ben, who had given him so much, like he did was unforgivable.
This book is also in no way an informative account of Chinese history, Cunxin certainly does not 'impart remarkable knowledge' of any of the historical aspects. Major events such as The Great Leap Forward are almost completely omitted from the story, and the way that Chairman Mao is idolised by Cunxin is never really explained or redeemed.
Yes, Cunxin's memoir may be enjoyable to an uneducated reader with a distorted sense of morality but for the most part it is a bland, self-indulgent and historically sparse novel. Definitely not worth the hype. Definitely not worth reading.
Mrs Potter.
Comment by Joanne
Open Book
I'm a bit worried about that term 'uneducated reader' though. Heaven forbid a world in which only the opinions of intellectuals is considered worthwhile. mmm... I think you've given me a topic for another post! Thank you again Mrs Potter.
Comment by Carina
Comment by <3 Maos last dancer
The themes of love and home are of course going to be "repetitive" because these are the things Li Cunxin feels most passionately about.
I think Li Cunxin should be applauded on his book because its very factual (chairman mao, his regime etc) but also very personal.
I found the book very inspiring and makes me now believe that my dream can be lived if I apply myself and am determined.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by SY
Regards, SY.
Comment by Anonymous
LeonardTheScholar:
It's 'pitiful', not 'pityful', 'pieced', not 'peiced', 'involvement' not 'invovlvement' etc
Professor Eistein:
It's 'divorces', not 'divorses' etc
Fix your own writing before criticising someone else's 'writting' (Yes, Professor, you spelt 'writing' incorrectly too).
Don't post comments if you're just going to embarrass and humiliate yourself.
P.S. I spelt criticise with an 's' because I learnt British English.
Comment by Anonymous