In a poor village in northern China, a small boy named Li Cunxin was given the chance of a lifetime. Selected by Chairman Mao's officials from among millions of children to become a dancer, Li's new life began as he left his family behind. At the Beijing Dance Academy, days were long and difficult. Li's hard work was rewarded when he was chosen yet again, this time to travel to America. From there his career took flight, and he danced in cities around the world—never forgetting his family, who urged him to follow his dreams.

本作は極貧の村から世界へ羽ばたいたバレエダンサーの、魂の解放を描く叙事詩です。毛沢東政権下の中国で育まれた不屈の精神と家族への情愛が、運命を切り拓く者の孤独と誇りを浮き彫りにします。文字から立ち上るバレエの躍動感と内面の緻密な描写は、読者の心に強烈な情熱を灯すでしょう。 実写映画版では舞踏の優美さが視覚化されていますが、原作本には異文化の狭間で揺れるリの繊細な心理という真骨頂があります。映像で華麗な跳躍を目にし、書籍で彼の沈黙の叫びに触れる。この相乗効果こそが、自由を掴み取った人間の重厚な真実を、私たちに鮮烈に突きつけてくるのです。