• Mao's Last Dancer

  • By: Li Cunxin
  • Narrated by: Paul English
  • Length: 15 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,565 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
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 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Mao's Last Dancer  By  cover art

Mao's Last Dancer

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

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.00

Buy for $25.00

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

Publisher's summary

This is the true story of how one moment in time, by the thinnest thread of a chance, changed the course of a small boy's life in ways that are beyond description. One day he would dance with some of the greatest ballet companies of the world. One day he would be a friend to a president and first lady, movie stars, and the most influential people in America. One day he would become a star: Mao's last dancer, and the darling of the West. Here is Li Cunxin's own story, a beautiful, rich account of an inspirational life, told with honesty, dignity, and pride.
©2003 Li Cunxin (P)2004 Bolinda Publishing Pyt Ltd by arrangement with Penguin Group (Australia)

Critic reviews

"[A] heartening rags-to-riches story." (Publishers Weekly)

"[Paul English] exercises such an intense and masterful concentration on the text that the listener's interest never flags.... He imbues the narrative with ingenuousness and enthusiasm, which endearingly befit the image Li is attempting to present of himself. The result is an audiobook that is superior to its source." (AudioFile)

What listeners say about Mao's Last Dancer

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,030
  • 4 Stars
    390
  • 3 Stars
    116
  • 2 Stars
    19
  • 1 Stars
    10
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    893
  • 4 Stars
    258
  • 3 Stars
    73
  • 2 Stars
    14
  • 1 Stars
    4
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    893
  • 4 Stars
    258
  • 3 Stars
    71
  • 2 Stars
    10
  • 1 Stars
    4

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Mao's Last Dance was very entertaining

I enjoyed listening to the book. It was very educational on China through the seventies thru 2003.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

loved this book!💗💗

this book was sooooo good! loved all the detail about his childhood in China. By the end of the book you were really rooting for Him and wanting His life to be a success, for Him to see His Family and to be happy! Also made me look at how much we take for granted being born and living in the USA. excellent read for young and old alike! highly recommend!👍👍👍

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing!

Loved it. The narrator was so great. He made the story come to life in my imagination. One of the best audio books.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

rags to riches story

If you could sum up Mao's Last Dancer in three words, what would they be?

luck work talent

Who was your favorite character and why?

Li It is an autobiography

What about Paul English’s performance did you like?

He did a very good job of emotion,clarity, interest

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Truth stranger than fiction

Any additional comments?

Book is a bit tiring and does go on a bit long. However, a story of an exceptional individual.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Please read this book!!

Any additional comments?

Even if you aren't a balletone, you should read this book. I loved every minute of this book. Just don't watch the movie!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A beautifully told story of a life

What a lovely story, inspirational and enlightening. Paul English (narrator) is wonderful. He really brings the story to life. I was not familiar with Li Cunxin before this but it is a wonderful tale of hope and inspiration that is so human and relatable. Don't miss it.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

B. Wright

I loved this book. The memories of Li Cunxin was outstanding and full of grace. His life was hard in the beginning, but gave him the insight to see what privileged Americans and other non-communistic countries have to offer their citizens. I enjoyed the journey Cunxin took me on. Thank you for sharing your personal and heart felt story. I really enjoyed it.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Beautiful!

This is the most beautiful book. The Narrator is so good and the book is fantastic. The words come alive. You can feel the damp chilly dance studio, taste the dumplings and feel the cold wind on your face.

I love the richness of this book and the insight into life in Mao's China. This is a MUST Listen in my book. Do not pass it by.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Enlightening!

Thoroughly enjoyable! The first part relating Cunxin's childhood especially touched me in the way it revealed the love, humour and even small moments of happiness possible in such a desperate situation. I have to agree with other comments that an asian narrator probably would have sounded more authentic, but Paul English did a wonderful job none the less. If you have seen the movie and think you know the story, think again! The book is definately worth the listen, as the movie probably only contained 10-15% of the original story (as most movies often do, understandably because of time restraints) and most of my favourite parts weren't there! Get the book - You wont regret it!

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

15 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Enthralling story well told

Mao's Last Dancer is an enthralling story, well written and supberly narrated. Li Cunxin's biography humanises life behind Mao's iron curtain, and is a great story of personal courage. Reads more like a novel than a dry biography, and the narrator brings the personalities to life.

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

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful