Critical Praise

"Fascinating reading…unfolds with honesty, humor, and a quiet dignity. This book has wide appeal, for it concerns not only a dancer’s coming of age in a turbulent time but also individual strength, self-discovery, and the triumph of the human spirit."

—Library Journal

"...heartening rags-to-riches story [and] a fascinating glimpse into the history of Chinese-U.S. relations and the dissolution of the Communist ideal in the life of one fortunate individual..."

—Publishers Weekly

"[A] fascinating memoir…told simply but passionately, with subtle humor and unguarded emotion."

—The Houston Chronicle

"Mix Billy Elliot with Torn Curtain and you’ll have some of the tale in very broad outline…well-paced…full of adventures."

—Kirkus Reviews