SHANGHAI TANGO

A courageous memoir, SHANGHAI TANGO is the story of prima ballerina Jin Xing's journey to international fame via the difficult route of gender transformation. One of the most promising stars of the Shanghai Ballet, Xing chose to confront communist China with her decision to become a woman. Having served in the People's Liberation Army since she was 9 years old, Xing discovers the possibility of a sex-change operation while studying dance on scholarship in New York. Keith Brockett tackles the sensitive role of a man becoming a woman with dramatic grace. His delivery bridges the gap between male and female, setting the perfect androgynous tone throughout. Brockett skillfully captures Xing's anguish, pain, pride, and eventual triumph as her transformation evolves. His compelling account is sweetened by his sharply accurate Chinese language pronunciations. A.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]