The author first learned piano from her mother and, a talented player, entered the Conservatory in Beijing at age 11. Then came the dark years of Cultural Revolution, when her family was separated, anything Western was considered decadent corruption, Zhu's education was cut short and she was sent to labor camp.

It's amazing how Zhu never lost her hope and her dream. While many of her friends, both in China and the West, abandoned the dream of their youth, Zhu persevered in her love of music, squeezing time in to practice and study even as she worked as housekeeper and waitress in the west.

BTW it's pretty easy to find videos of her playing on Youtube, so go seek them out!

Sending to imawinn2 who selected it from the vbb.

This book arrived safe and sound. Thank you so much for sharing it. It looks intersesting. I love your BookCrossing label. Best Wishes!

This was a powerful and inspirational story. I can't imagine going through what Zhu Xiao-Mei did and still manage to persevere and reach her dreams. Her story shows that music has great powers. It can give one pleasure and joy, release suffering, heal the soul and offer an escape from the realities of life. Zhu Xio-Mei knew that without her music, she could not survive.