Memoirs of a Geisha

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Summary: Reading this book showed an amazing view of Japan
Review: I thought that this book was very well written and I was genuinely surprised when I saw that the main character was a young Japanese girl; being that the book was written by an American man. I barely was able to put the book down and I was very glad that I read it.

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Summary: I really enjoyed this book!
Review: I found this book very well written, easy to follow, and beautifully descriptive. I was facinated by the rich, historical references and appreciated the simple language used to describe complex cultural traditions. At the end of the book, I felt as if I had gained insight into a part of Japanese culture which previously had not interested me. I came to deeply respect the complex ways of thinking these women used to survive in a seemingly ruthless world dominated by men. The characters were so well developed, it was hard to believe it was fiction. The ending put the story to rest beautifully.

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Summary: John Grisham goes to Japan
Review: A linear, stylistically boring chronicle that will be of interest to those ignorant of the life of a geisha in Japan, but lacking much merit beyond that.

Rating:
Summary: one of the best three books I've read
Review: The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is I thought the love Sayuri had most of her life could have been played up a little more. The book was very educational about the life of a geisha. I would find myself waking up in the middle of the night so I could continue reading this incredible book. I've passed it on to anyone who can read!

Rating:
Summary: Riviting! couldn't put it down!
Review: I was so wonderfully surprised by this book. I don't often read the summaries before reading a book, therefore I was not aware until the end that the book was based on fictional charactures. I not only was entertained, but I also learned a great deal from reading this book.

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Summary: A real life insight to the art of geishas long forgotten...
Review: This book is great reading material. It teaches you of a different art, culture. Golden's first person biography style brings the characters to life. You feel for them, like they are people you know. It's truly wonderful...

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Summary: Interesting narrative of an exotic culture
Review: The book chronicles the journey of famous geisha Nitta Sayuri from her humble beginnings as a fisherman's daughter to the glamorous teahouses of Gion. Cinderella-like in plot(poor and pretty heroine, an evil geisha who ill treats her, a fairy-godmother-like good geisha who helps her) it is an interesting narrative of an exotic culture in a time gone by. The writing style is entertaining and the character sketches vivid. Some aspects of the geisha culture fascinate ( the elaborate plotting and planning among geisha for popularity,traditions and training of the geisha) while others shock and disgust the reader unfamiliar with the culture portrayed(e.g.auctioning off the geisha's virginity to the highest bidder,the actual act narrated in a matter-of-fact way by the heroine as if its a ceremony being performed). It paints a picture of a society where a woman's silent servility is unquestioningly accepted.The word 'exploitation' does not enter the picture at all.Sayuri is 'lucky' because she is sold into near-slavery to a geisha house and grows up to become a popular and elegant entertainer of men.Her sister, however,not being blessed with Sayuri's good looks is 'unlucky' and is sold into a cheap brothel. The book makes interesting reading (although the ending seems a bit contrived).Definitely to be recommended.

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Summary: A wonderful, lyrical read, compeling charachters.
Review: An interesting, well-written story. The book provided new insights into a unique and disappearing culture/life-style. Other than a rather predictable ending, a thouroghly engrossing read.

Rating:
Summary: really more of a 3.75
Review: this book read very well, meaning it captured my attention and held it throughout the 400+ pages, which is an accomplishment in itself. But i simply didn't like the main character (Sayuri) enough to truly enjoy the book. that isn't to say i didn't like the story; no i found everything quite interesting and very realistic. The problem for me was just an aversion towards the heroine, who i thought gave up her real identity to devote herself to the pursuit of an infatuation. maybe i'm judging her too harshly. after all, it's only a novel.

Rating:
Summary: A nice twist at the end and good details.
Review: One of the best 3 books I have ever came across. The author provided very fine details not just into how the giesha's 'world' operate and also into an individual's innermost thoughts. I especially like the ending which I thought would be bleak but .........