This autobiography follows Li Cunxin through his childhood in peasant China, through the Cultural Revolution. He is chosen for the Beijing Ballet School and eventually defects to America, becoming an international star.
A very interesting book, though I have read others that examined the situation during this time in more depth and detail. His views on his childhood are definitely seen through the eyes of a child, which is fitting, but ultimately, not super-satisfying for the reader. For instance, he mentions one of the staple foods, dried yams, dozens of times and seems very focused on the lack of variety in their diets. While this was obviously a real focus of the eight/nine/ten year old character, it did get a bit wearing in my opinion.
Overall, a good read though. Autobiographies interest me as I love to imagine a totally different way of life and this certainly provides that.
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