Bernstein, a noted columnist and author of books on China, is married to Zhongmei, who enjoyed a noteworthy career. Fortunately, a wise and kindly administrator recognizes her extraordinary talent. After a horrific three-day journey by trains and buses, Zhongmei comes through the difficult audition only to face an extreme daily regimen of exercise and instruction, an appallingly rigid dormitory supervisor and a ballet teacher scarred by the Cultural Revolution. And go she does, when a hunger strike and the kindness of her community overcome her parents’ initial refusal. She loves to dance, though, and upon hearing that the Academy is holding national auditions she sets her mind on going. The standard of living is so low that she and her siblings eat one egg a year on their birthdays. In 1978, an 11-year-old girl fights poverty and prejudice with gutsy perseverance and talent to fulfill her dream of studying at the Beijing Dance Academy.įaithful Plum, or Zhongmei, lives in a remote area of China near Siberia.
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