Born in a poverty-stricken Chinese commune, the author rose to worldwide fame as principal dancer of the Houston Ballet. In this fascinating memoir, he recounts his early life within a loving family, dance training in Beijing, perilous defection to the West, marriage to an American girl, and triumphant visit to the village of his birth. He writes with a surprising fluency for someone who began learning English only in his teens. The biographical details unite a riveting picture of China after the Cultural Revolution and the political and artistic demands upon an aspiring artist there. His subsequent adventures in the West would pall were it not for the indefatigable reading by Paul English. He exercises such an intense and masterful concentration on the text that the listener’s interest never flags. In addition, he imbues the narrative with ingenuousness and enthusiasm, which endearingly befit the image Li is attempting to present of himself. The result is an example of an audiobook that is superior to its source.
Pub Date: Jan. 22, 2004
Duration: 17 hrs
Publisher: Bolinda Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
Reader Michael Prichard delivers a convincing rendition of Archie Goodwin, the burly right hand of the portly Nero Wolfe, world-renowned gourmand and detective. Prichard preserves the 1970s setting and 1950s origins of the story, bringing listeners a well-paced narration of murder and politics--a combination of elements that usually guarantees an exciting listen. This audio entertainment is as well formed and fragrant as one of Wolfe's hothouse orchids (the stout sleuth cultivates them by the hundreds in his town house greenhouse) as Goodwin walks us through an explosive murder investigation and political wheeling and dealing in a tough yet intelligent read.
Pub Date: Jan. 15, 2006
Duration: 5 hrs, 30 mins
Publisher: Audio Partners
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
This collection of eight short stories contains gentle tales of fantasy and magic--not the magic of wizards and wands, but of wishing mats and enormous cats and gifts brought by the winds. In a lovely English accent, Lizza Aiken quietly narrates these stories in which magic and good fortune often come to those who deserve it. Although her pitch changes little, she registers a range of emotions--from the sadness of a girl whose necklace of raindrops has been stolen to the joy of a child who moves from a hard life and a ramshackle trailer to a happy home amid the clouds. A NECKLACE OF RAINDROPS would make a soothing choice for a family car trip after a long day.
Ages 6+Pub Date: Jan. 5, 2016
Duration: 1 hr, 45 mins
DD ISBN: 9781101915721
Publisher: Listening Library
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
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