6 days ago
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Posted On: October 30th 2026, 04:05 pm
📱 The Lucky Son (2026) by Li Cunxin 🇦🇺
• Genre: Memoir
• My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Has it really been more than twenty years since Mao's Last Dancer? Li Cunxin returns with this deeply personal sequel. I actually think his greatest achievement and contribution is during his 11-year tenure as artistic director at Queensland Ballet, which went through a significant transformation during his leadership. It is inspiring to me that you can be in your prime during your 50s. Maybe he's had some luck but it's clear his success is from his grit, dedication and passion - the same needed for his rigorous training as a young boy at the Beijing Dance Academy. There are a lot of lessons in love, life, family, health, business, leadership, resilience, friendship, community, advocacy and chasing your dreams. It surprised me that reading it felt more like a self-help book than the feel-good fairy tale story that Mao's Last Dancer was. It's a less entertaining read but I was left inspired by what an extraordinary life he's had.
Thank you @penguinbooksaus and NetGalley for the digital advanced readers copy. The Lucky Son is out now.
#TheLuckySon #LiCunxin #BookReview #NetGalley #AustralianAuthors
• Genre: Memoir
• My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Has it really been more than twenty years since Mao's Last Dancer? Li Cunxin returns with this deeply personal sequel. I actually think his greatest achievement and contribution is during his 11-year tenure as artistic director at Queensland Ballet, which went through a significant transformation during his leadership. It is inspiring to me that you can be in your prime during your 50s. Maybe he's had some luck but it's clear his success is from his grit, dedication and passion - the same needed for his rigorous training as a young boy at the Beijing Dance Academy. There are a lot of lessons in love, life, family, health, business, leadership, resilience, friendship, community, advocacy and chasing your dreams. It surprised me that reading it felt more like a self-help book than the feel-good fairy tale story that Mao's Last Dancer was. It's a less entertaining read but I was left inspired by what an extraordinary life he's had.
Thank you @penguinbooksaus and NetGalley for the digital advanced readers copy. The Lucky Son is out now.
#TheLuckySon #LiCunxin #BookReview #NetGalley #AustralianAuthors
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