The Secret Piano

From Mao's Labor Camps to Bach's Goldberg Variations

By: Zhu Xiao-Mei, Ellen Hinsey - translator

Narrated by: Nancy Wu

Zhu Xiao-Mei was three years old when she saw her first piano, a cherished instrument introduced into her family’s Beijing home by her mother. Soon after, the child began to play, developing quickly into a prodigy who immersed herself in the work of such classical masters as Bach and Brahms. Her astonishing proficiency earned her a spot at the Beijing Conservatory at the tender age of 11, where she began laying the foundation for a promising career as a concert pianist. But in 1966, with the onset of the Cultural Revolution, life as she knew it ended abruptly.

The Communist Party’s campaign against culture forced the closure of art schools and resulted in the deportation of countless Chinese, including Xiao-Mei and her entire family. She spent five years in a work camp in Inner Mongolia, suffering under abysmal living conditions and a brutal brainwashing campaign. Yet through it all, Xiao-Mei kept her dream alive, drawing on the power of music to sustain her courage.

©2012 Zhu Xiao-Mei (P)2012 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Interesting and Honest

I've had this in my audio queue for a long time. I only found it through the "read this book next" emails that I get from publishers. I'm glad I didn't miss this one. Concert Pianist relives her days in China before and after the cultural revolution. Brutally honest, and still dealing with the guilt of her actions while in childhood, but able to convey the real story. I've never been very taken with Bach. Not enough fire! Give me Motzart, Beethoven, Rachmaninoff! But I can see why Bach saved her, and I'm glad I read her story,and have now found her mp3s on itunes. Anyone who loves music should read this story. I learned as a musician, and as a human.

I will say I was surprised at how brutally honest she was. She carried alot of guilt over her childhood and teen actions due to the brainwashing in the Cultural Revolution. ITs heartbreaking. Something she said really stuck with me. She is now a Christian, although she doesn't proselytize about it. Instead, quite the opposite. She mentioned a church or group she went to that was preaching Christianity the way Mao was preached in China. Of course, she didn't stick with that group. In fact, America didn't free her to worship. Food for thought.

Great story, great for learning

Where does The Secret Piano rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In addition to being a great story, it is also a great way for those unfamiliar with the Chinese Cultural Revolution to learn about one of the strangest (and violent) social movements in modern history.

Such an inspiring, true story!

As a feminist, a pianist, and a lover of history, this story had everything. We've all learned the bare minimum about the Chinese Cultural Revolution and how professionals and academics were sent away to work camps to be re-educated. This is the true story of a young woman who is a piano prodigy, learning on the secret piano in their house. As she begins her formal education at the conservatory, the revolution makes its inroads in shocking ways and she is swept up into its ideals, then she and her family are separated and sent away. It's fascinating to see how this happens so easily and insidiously.

I don't want to give away anymore than I already have, but her journey from this is only the beginning of her trials and tribulations...and triumphs. Because of her specializing in Bach and, specifically the Goldberg Variations, I ordered the music for myself and have been working through it. Even if you're not a musician, this whole saga will keep you riveted. The narrator does an excellent job of pronouncing the Chinese authentically, yet keeping it understandable to the American ear.

Interesting

Childhood, start of education, re-education in the labor camps. Many lost dreams because of Mao's Cultural Revolution. But then she started again. Great and unusual story of artistic development and human self-determination.

Best book on Mao's cultural revolution and piano music

I love Nancy Wu's narration and it sounds so right for a Chinese themed book.

I recommend this to anyone interested in piano music/Bach's work/the cultural revolution of Mao/China. This book is perfect for me because I'm a Chinese (but not from China) and I can play the piano.

The words are not difficult and yet the story is so rich. I cried throughout.

Familiar story from my moms generation told in English

First part in China is so familiar because my parents grew up in the same era, but when written in English, it’s almost surreal like made up. Even George owell can’t make up stories so inhuman, but that’s true history. The parts after she fled China, I can sort of relate too, but I was a lot more luckier.

The eternal fight for Music

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Secret Piano?

When a piano - a PIANO - was smuggled into a Chinese labor camp! It was astounding!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes! It was a riveting listen, making a long bus trip go by much quicker than it otherwise would have. It is not an easy read, but lest we forget...

Any additional comments?

This book is definitely very musically technical, but you don't need to be familiar with all things musical to appreciate the struggle present under an oppressive government regime.

The True Meaning Of Grit

Recently I have been learning about the meaning of GRIT. I think this novel embodies that word, yet not in the aggressive and forceful nature of GRIT as we would imagine it, rather by the quite persistent perseverance of that pianist.

Beautiful, Shocking and Courageous

An intimate journey of an artist struggling to survive the late 1950's Chinese revolution. I found it to be educational and amazing. The narrator does an excellent job of sharing the horror, the despair and the elation penned by the author. The accompanying music is beautiful and haunting.

A very powerful story

Would you consider the audio edition of The Secret Piano to be better than the print version?

No, but then I enjoy reading. I purchased this audible version on a whim. I do have an extensive audible book library (mostly on tape :-)) but I tent to read more than listen. The idea of reading the book in the house then listening to it in the car appealed to me.

The read, listen, read feature with the Kindle is amazing. The last read pointers are spot to taking you to the page or first read paragraph of the page when listening. Amazing when you think about it. But this is not supposed to be a review of Whisper Sync

What did you like best about this story?

I am not a big biography|autobiography person. Read a few in school when I had to and maybe 3 others in the last 30 years. So if your are looking for a comparative review this is not it.

The opportunity to read an uncensored account about someones experiences in another country by someone approximately my age appealed to me.

As I recall growing up the cultural revolution in China was a good thing. At least that was the common consensus in the media at the time. This book proves otherwise.

Have you listened to any of Nancy Wu’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, this is my first book by her. She is very articulate and easy to listen to. Definitely not the cheap pigeon English knock off other producers have used when trying to tell an Asian story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

You simply can not read or listing to this book without tearing up. It is a painfully unbiased account of at best brutal times in China. It would serve some people well to read it before parroting the current anti-Chinese sediment made popular by recent elections.

The author has given a large gift of herself by writing this book. And I would imaging put herself at considerable risk. For that I am extremely grateful and will try to get some of my more biased friends to read and or listen to it.

You can not get a much more extreme reaction than trying to get a red neck friend to read a book about a pianist in a commie country!

Any additional comments?

This is simply a must experience book. It has a place on the required reading list for high school. Too bad reading is no longer required in high school.