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Summary: A FASCINATING JOURNEY
Review: I could not put this book down. The character development was unique and right-on-the-money. I kept reminding myself that a male had wrote this book, yet it was so feminine written. The feelings of a geisha and the life lived was fascinating. I would highly recommend this book.
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Summary: Not only a great story, but non-fiction as well!
Review: This book is a fascinating account of a real geisha "working" in Kyoto in the 1930's. The story is very moving and very real. Sometimes I felt if I were actually there feeling and experiencing everything along with the characters.
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Summary: fascinating,well researched glimpse into world of the geisha
Review: Memoirs of a geisha is a fascinating, well researched glimpse into the world of the geisha. Utterly absorbing and quite believable,the account of Sayuri is riveting, until after the denouement of the novel, (her mizuage(sic) and attainment of her lover), at which point the story is less interesting. This is due to the fact that Golden has failed to imbue her lover with life. He remains a one-dimensional character. The repressed passion which has been a strong charcteristic of Sayuri's life to this point is not understandable because of the weakness of this portrayal.
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Summary: It's difficult to put down this book!
Review: I read this book in three days using all the spare time I had! Chiyo/Sayuri's memoirs are a wonderful insight into the hidden world of Gion's geisha community as well as her innermost thoughts and aspirations in the dog-eat-dog world she inhabits. I am recommending this book to many of my friends, which is not something I usually do, because it left such an impression. Mr. Golden's creation of his heroine was very well drawn; and my only criticism is that some of the other characters (the Chairman and Hatsumomo) weren't given the same treatment.
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Summary: fascinating
Review: I greatly enjoyed this book, transporting me back in time and to a totally different culture than ours. Unlike the reader from Nashville who disliked the metaphors, I really liked them.
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Summary: Simple, but different from other books I've read.
Review: At first it was difficult to catch on at the begining of the book. It was only after a few more chapters that the actual story really began. I must admit there were a few boring bits, but all in all the book is intresting.
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Summary: Good, but could've been better.
Review: I read the entire novel in one sitting because I *had* to find out what happened at the end. I was disappointed. My enthusiasm slowed to a complete halt as the book started to resemble a soap opera (dashes of history sprinkled as necessary). The ending was altogether too "convenient" for my liking. If Golden had AVOIDED the neatly packaged ending, the story would have been more convincing and memorable. Loose threads leave you something to floss your teeth with.
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Summary: Above average beach read.
Review: I enjoyed this book a great deal up until the ending which I found was hugely disappointing -- it was reading like a Japanese "Gone With The Wind" where I thought she'd end up happily after all with the Rhett figure as her danna. Instead, out of nowhere comes Ashley Wilkes...not satisfying at all and almost hurried as if the editor had told Golden to end the book.Nonetheless, I enjoyed it all until the end and would like to learn more (on a non-fictional basis) about geishas.
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Summary: Enchanting
Review: When I was 21 I went to the theatre in Kyoto and watched the Geisha dance. I remember a beautiful geisha sitting in the lobby and when she looked briefly at me I stopped and stared. Reading Memoirs of a Geisha was like sitting across a tearoom from the beautiful Sayuri and like all the others wanting something you can never have. I will save this book to relive it again.
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Summary: You are caught up in Sayuri's story right from the start.
Review: This book is especially fun to read not only because it's a such a compelling story, but also because it's fascinating to hear about the details of the geisha's life-style. You feel the drama of the beauty of the kimono, the giesha make-up, the training on how to entertain and satisty a client, the stark financial dealings of the owner of the geisha house, and the friendships and rivalries of the girls themselves. All this is played out against the backdrop of tradional Japanese culture and the effects of World War 2. One of the best books I've read in years.
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