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The Secret Piano: From Mao's Labor Camps to Bach's Goldberg Variations Audiobook
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(3.07) - 303 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Zhu Xiao-Mei was born to middle-class parents in post-war China, and her musical proficiency became clear at an early age. Taught to play the piano by her mother, she developed quickly into a prodigy, immersing herself in the work of classical masters like Bach and Brahms. She was just ten years old when she began a rigorous course of study at the Beijing Conservatory, laying the groundwork for what was sure to be an extraordinary career. But in 1966, when Xiao-Mei was seventeen, the Cultural Revolution began, and life as she knew it changed forever. One by one, her family members were scattered, sentenced to prison or labor camps. By 1969, the art schools had closed, and Xiao-Mei was on her way to a work camp in Mongolia, where she would spend the next five years. Life in the camp was nearly unbearable, thanks to horrific living conditions and intensive brainwashing campaigns. Yet through it all Xiao-Mei clung to her passion for music and her sense of humor. And when the Revolution ended, it was the piano that helped her to heal. Heartbreaking and heartwarming, The Secret Piano is the incredible true story of one woman’s survival in the face of unbelievable odds—and in pursuit of a powerful dream.
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"Zhu Xiao-Mei's memoir is invaluable to this reader (an American of the same generation) who cares to learn what a young girl's experiences were during China's communist experiment, better known as The Cultural REvolution. This is a book that I've been waiting to read, if I didn't know it until now. In the end, though, my favorite chapter was about The Goldberg Variations."
— Janet (5 out of 5 stars)
The Secret Piano Listener Reviews
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" Straightforward first person story of the artist's life in China under Mao. "
— Kathleen, 2/19/2014 -
" This book was very sad to me. I had not known a lot about this period in Chinese history and the book was how it affected the artists, the author in particular. "
— Diane, 2/10/2014 -
" Good book. Didn't know anything about Mao in China so this has peaked my interest to learn more. Lovely how she was able to overcome that intense period in her life. "
— Lindsay, 1/30/2014 -
" I loved this book! It's a fascinating autobiography of a woman who lived through the Chinese Cultural Revolution during her late teens and early 20s. Later she was able to complete her piano studies in the US and France. Her writing about piano music and performing is insightful. Highly recommended for pianists and musicians in general. "
— Kathryn, 1/18/2014 -
" A powerful and moving story of the Cultural Revolution in China and a testament to the power of art and music for mankind. "
— Adelle, 1/16/2014 -
" This book was an amazing book, very well wrote. An easy and quick read. Gave a wonderful insight to the re-education in the Mao dynasty and and inspirational story of a girl that wouldn't give up. "
— Katie, 1/13/2014 -
" Pretty good book about woman who survives Cultural Revolution. One thing I really liked is her story after--seems like many books leave off close to the end of that period. Also the musical aspect was interesting. "
— Pamela, 1/6/2014 -
" Fascinating story of an amazingly talented woman coming of age in the time of the Chinese cultural Revolution. Her story is inspiring and I also learned about a suppressed and backwards time I knew nothing about. "
— Karin, 12/9/2013 -
" I waited too long to write this review, but I really enjoyed this book. It was fun after reading it to go on YouTube and watch her play. Very good story. Some of the composer talk would probably be a little boring for non-musicians, but still a great story. "
— Shirley, 11/24/2013 -
" I was unfamiliar with the Chinese Revolution, that part of the story was OK I thought the author repeated herself over and over. maybe it lost something in translation. I was rather disappointed with the book "
— Janet, 8/23/2013 -
" Excellent book about China and time in history I knew nothing about. Well worth reading! "
— Aimee, 7/30/2013 -
" a very detailed book of the life of a child who grew up during the cultural revolution. Insight into a struggle of a life dedicated to becoming a pianist and the toll the cultural revolution took on families and and the creative spirit of China. "
— Marysue, 6/23/2013 -
" Wow. Mao. A fascinating inside look at the Cultural Revolution. Also, I love when books have side-effects... the passion the author writes with has me listening to classical music! "
— Carolyn, 5/2/2013 -
" I really liked this book. Another look into the China we know so little about but more importantly, it is a great look at the toll the Culteral Revolution and Great Leap Forward took on the Chinese people. Hopefully, their future will be better than their past. "
— John, 4/4/2013 -
" An interesting memoir about the affects of the Chinese Cultural Revolution on young pianist. A study on how people can be lead down a road of destruction by leaders, but then the personal struggle to find your way back. "
— Sue, 4/1/2013 -
" If you play classical piano or are interested in classical music, this would be an interesting read from a technical point of view. I felt it was more about the music than the author's experiences in revolutionary China. I found it quite hard to relate to the author as I read. "
— Sandra, 1/27/2013 -
" I liked the story and learning about life in China during the time period. I also enjoyed the musical aspects and her insights and feelings of how life issues affected her playing over the years. "
— Chung-yee, 1/25/2013 -
" Awesome book, really makes me feel how privilege I am to have been born in a country were my voice is heard. I is unbelievable that a whole generating of people in China were deprived of an education. This is a must read for every one. "
— J.edeker, 9/16/2012
About Zhu Xiao-Mei
Zhu Xiao-Mei was born in Shanghai, China. A prodigious pianist, she was well-known in China by age ten, but her education was cut short by the Cultural Revolution. After five years in a labor camp in Mongolia, she returned to China, before moving on to the United States and finally Paris, France, where she has lived and worked since 1984. She teaches at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique and has performed for audiences on six continents. She is one of the world’s most celebrated interpreters of Bach’s Goldberg Variations.
About Nancy Wu
Nancy Wu has narrated audiobooks since 2004, winning three AudioFile Earphones Awards. A New York theater, television, and film actor, she has recorded in studios all over the world—from Italy to Switzerland to Thailand. Her credits include Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Hope & Faith, All My Children, Made for Each Other, and the Oscar-nominated film Frozen River.