Rating: 
Summary: Superb!
Review: This has been one of the best books I've ever read. This may sound like the statement of a simpleton, but I really dislike extolling the virtues of a great book - picking it apart (the hows and whys) really take away from the pure beauty of the novel. The overall mood gets chopped up. I will say that Golden did a fabulous job - plot, voice, character development - all of these were beautifully wrought. Memoirs of a Geisha is a tableau of human feeling, the joyous agonies of love and the flourishing spirit of one woman, Sayuri. Why is everyone so surprised that Golden pulled off a 'female voice' so well? He's a writer, and a writer, in all respects, should be versatile enough to execute what is thought to be difficult. A writer feels, and Golden feels best. Read this book!!
Rating: 
Summary: Something different but quite a drag
Review: The plot is refereshing. However, besides the scheming Geishas who all want to reach the top, there is not much more in the story. After reading near 2/3 of the book, it becomes a kind of drag and you'd wish it would end quickly. A good book to skim through. Definitely not one of my favourites.
Rating:
Summary: Deep thinking about life's dreams vs. reality
Review: I bought this book just because Amazon.com customers rated it so highly; I was a little embarrassed to order it, but figured, why not? This book turned out to be such a pleasureable read. In fact, it's the kind of book you are still thinking about days later. I would recommend it highly! The characters are highly developed by the author. I will buy anything this author writes.
Rating: 
Summary: that's it?
Review: This book was really great in the beginning, but I was very frustrated towards the end. I have to agree with a lot of the other reviews on how the chairman part was dragged out and annoying. Golden took his time in the first 2/3 of the book and rushed through the last third. Maybe the publisher said it was too long, so he cut out the whole big climax of the book's end. I liked it, though. It passed the time like I needed it to. People might as well read it to see what all the hype is about!
Rating:
Summary: Liked the novel. Not literature.
Review: This is indeed an impressive first novel -- as many have already stated. The reason it didn't earn five stars from this demanding reviewer is because Arthur Golden missed many chances to write a book that was more than simply entertaining. Hatsumomo, for instance, is a cardboard villain. The novel would have been literature if Artie had explored -- even hinted -- at why Hatsomomo was the she was. Instead of portraying her as the villain, he could have created a character that was simply honestly reacting to the intense and established sexism that women were accepted to honor. Artie, baby, you missed a huge chance. You coulda been great.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging...
Review: This book starts out well, but in the later stages, it starts to decline. Instead of satisfaction at the end, I felt hollow about Sayuri's being together with the Chairman at last. Nonetheless, Chiyo's first meeting with the Chairman was totally enchanting and signifies what she was to be in her life. Plus, the book was really rich in Japanese culture. It was also at once horrifying and expected when Pumpkin eventually becomes the heir apparent to Hatsumomo's cruelty. Not to forget, all the memorable characters: our protagonist, Mameha, Hatsumomo, Nobu, Dr.Crab, Pumpkin and of course, the Chairman. Overall, a worthy read with rich details.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!!
Review: I couldn't put this book down! I was fascinated by every detail of the main character's life.
Rating:
Summary: SUPER SUPER SUPER!!!!
Review: This book was superbly written. The author actually made you feel like you were right there in every scene. Beautiful job on the factual information on Japan. Anyone who doesn't know a lot about there culture will indeed learn more about it. Excellent read!!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, except for the end.
Review: I loved Memoirs of a Geisha. The book truly transports the reader to the time and place. I'd write a different ending however (stop here if you haven't read the book)... one where Nobu does become Sayuri's danna, and sets her free somehow. As an american woman I got frustrated (as Nobu was) with the Geisha idea of a woman's value being based on her ability to attract a powerful old man, even if it was culturally accurate. The Chairman nonsense was tiring, and in the end proves that beauty IS only skin-deep. I couldn't buy the notion that she was so enamored for so long without so much as a ten minute conversation between them. Nobu was a more noble and worthy man, as far as the entire cast of male characters went.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable!!!!!
Review: I couldn't bring myself to put it down! What a poignant, real, wonderful story!! One of the best I've ever read.
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