Li Cunxin, the Chinese Australian ballet dancer whose 2003 memoir "Mao's Last Dancer" became an international bestseller, has completed a long-delayed follow-up book titled "The Lucky Son" after 14 years.
Cunxin signed a contract with Penguin Random House for the sequel but put the project on hold when he took on the role of artistic director at Queensland Ballet, he explains from his Brisbane home. The original plan was to focus on the lives of his brothers and friends in China and how the country had transformed over time.
"I don't think they were expecting it to take 14 years," Cunxin says of his publisher.
"The Lucky Son" picks up where his first memoir concluded. The new book reflects on sacrifices made by his wife, his years working as a stockbroker, and his tenure leading Queensland Ballet.
Cunxin's first autobiography documented his journey from rural China during the Cultural Revolution to becoming a principal dancer with the Houston Ballet, one of the world's leading companies. The book's success across multiple countries established him as a significant cultural figure.
His dual career path, combining professional ballet with later work in finance and arts administration, sets the backdrop for his reflections in the new memoir. The 14-year gap between publications underscores the demands of his work with Queensland Ballet, which required sustained focus and energy.
The release of "The Lucky Son" suggests there was sufficient public and publisher interest to justify revisiting Cunxin's life story, despite the lengthy interval. The book arrives at a time when memoirs by high-profile athletes and performers continue to draw reader interest, particularly those offering insight into professional achievement, personal sacrifice, and career transitions.