Journey of a Thousand Miles: My Story by Lang Lang, David Ritz
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.78 You Save: $20.17 (81%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Journey of a Thousand Miles: My Story
Book Review: Wonderful Story & Writing
Summary: 5 Stars
A truly inspiring story about Lang Lang who comes from nothing and yet persevered to achieve what he has achieved. Despite all the hardship, there is a sense of optimism in his voice and his passion for piano comes through clearly. Excellent writing also. Highly recommend.Book Review: A Fuller Picture of Lang Lang
Summary: 4 Stars
When he burst into the classical music world as a seventeen-year old pianist from China, it was more than his piano playing versatility, and repertoire that caused a sensation; it was also Lang Lang's personal history and background. That a seventeen year old student at the Curtis Institute of Music, alone with his father in America, and away from his mother, etc, etc. This book is Lang's answer to the thousands of times he has been asked the same questions. He did a credible and honest job of describing his life and hardship in China. However, his telling of his growth and maturation in America in the last quarter of the book is superficial and shallow, as what one would expect from a 26-year old.
However, as a Chinese-American reader I am also struck by several aspects of Lang's book. First, it must have been a catharsis for him to retell the relationship with his father, the conflicts and mental and physical abuse (in American eyes, but not necessarily to the Chinese) he suffered. He has violated one of the most important Chinese canons, that is: "don't publicize family dirt." It must have taken a tremendous amount of courage and maybe some American rebelliousness to write a tell-all book about his father. Second, he appears to be challenging the musical, maybe even the artistic hierarchy of China, that winning competitions, especially international competitions is not the measurement of musical or artistic achievement. Third, Lang Lang's fierce personal drive and desire to succeed is not often evidenced in Chinese-American artists. This book explains his love of fashion, hairstyles as well his flamboyance and showmanship (good or bad) and, in turn, his success in America.
I highly recommend this book, especially to Chinese-Americans and readers who wish to better understand and appreciate Lang Lang.
Book Review: Journey of a Thousand Miles...
Summary: 4 Stars
Overall this book was an easy and good read... This is Lang Lang's autobiography, in it he talks about his parents' sacrifice and what it took for him to get to where he is today. Lang Lang started off by giving a brief history of his family background, his parents' survival through the Cultural Revolution and the impact it had on his parents, and how it shaped their determination to push him to become Number One. This book touched me in so many ways... as he described his parents' drive and fortitude and their willingness to sacrifice anything and everything to guide his career was absolutely touching. His parents' missed opportunities because of the Cultural Revolution and how they put all of their hopes and dreams on him. Lang Lang's tumultuous relationship with his father and his love for his mother also touched me deeply.
I read half the book through tears... tears because I can feel his pain as my parents are survivors of the Cultural Revolution, and I've seen how much they've sacrificed for my brother and me. Tears because he battled through obstacles and through his tenacity he was able to achieve his goals and dreams. Tears because I am a fan of classical music and as he described his approach to each piece of music he played... I can hear it as though the piano keyboard was under my finger tips and I was the one that was pouring out my heart and soul trying to interpret Mozart's sonatas and Bach's concertos as if they told me themselves how they were feeling when they composed each piece and exactly how I should play it so that I can convey what's in their hearts to the audience.
I was a bit disappointed by the ending... I was hoping for a little bit more punch at the end... what happened with his mother?
Book Review: Interesting, honest, glorious, and somewhat sad
Summary: 4 Stars
Many a time, I question why some rich and famous are willing to spill their guts unconcerned about their privacy. Is it a public confession needed for redemption and in search of catharsis, perhaps? By western standards Lang Lang was abused as a child and would have been taken away from his family and placed in a foster home. His autocratic and cruel father saw in Lang Lang the opportunity to succeed in what he was never able to accomplish for himself: recognition of his talent! Lang Lang mother's love was crashed under his maniac father and she became a passive bystander in the family drama, albeit the main source of finacial support. Was all this hardship necessary for Lang Lang to materialize his artistic genius? Maybe. A professor at an Ivy League University classroom- referring to multi-task leaders resposible for qualty and outcomes- once said: "To be an SOB is bad...but it helps!"
Lang Lang, by his own admission, hated his father when he was irrationally demading. Lang Lang neeed his autobiography published in order to reconcile with his father, and to thank his family for all the sacrifices they made for him. On the other hand, we become the beneficiaries in observing how a genius reaches his pinacle.
Book Review: How to Become a Great Pianist
Summary: 4 Stars
This was a very enjoyable biography. What is rare and gratifying is that Lang Lang wrote it when he was 26 years old. His childhood memories were still vivid, honest, and unfiltered. When he described his feelings about his achievements and disappointments or when he was forced to practice by his dictatorial father, the reader can readily empathize. A plus about the book is that he gave a glimpse of what it takes to become a great pianist. His parents had to make great sacrifices, he had to practice the piano for 7-9 hours everyday, he had a dogged determination to succeed, he had excellent piano teachers and mentors, and he had to overcome a piano teacher who wanted to destroy his career. Another plus about the book is that he gave some insight in how the Chinese and the Westerners define musical (and the accompanying economic) success. The former emphasizes winning piano competitions while the latter emphasizes engrossing oneself in the "process" of making music. When I finished the book, I found that I not only liked Lang Lang as a great pianist, but, most of all, as a human being.