Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful Detail; Boring, Unrealistic Ending
Review: The detail of geisha life in historical Kyoto was marvelous and drawn with delicate words of detail; however, the ending left me cold. I wanted Sayuri to GROW UP and stay with the man who obviously cared for her throughout her life or perhaps to break off from all pre-existing relationships. The man she ended up with was a 2 dimensional, charicature of a man. However, I enjoyed the detail immenseley, especially of the kimono worn by the geisha. Beautifully detailed.
Rating: 
Summary: Almost Perfect
Review: Like so many long novels (and too many movies and tv shows), "Memoirs" is an outstanding work with a rushed ending, as if the author had had enough and just wanted to end it already. But that aside, the novel is an absorbing, fascinating look into a vanished world.Who knew that there were actual geisha districts with hundreds of geishas, or that they were often children sold into the life? That, with all its ceremony and beauty, the geishas were often no more than slaves with no control over their own lives? Were they artisans or glamorized, high-priced hookers? Author Golden really did his research, and the detail is what makes the book so unique. All told, almost perfect!
Rating: 
Summary: Good factual account but not good fiction.
Review: MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA is a compelling read, but it lacks crucial elements of good fiction. Golden writes a well-researched factual account lacking in characterization, plot and emotion. As such, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA would have been better written as a non-fictionalized account. Perhaps we can count on a quality film adaptation to fill in the imagination and emotion the novel lacks.
Rating:
Summary: Unusual topic with rare insight from a non_Japanese male
Review: A historical novel dealing with the mysterious, misunderstood world of the Geisha. A rare first novel dealing with a most unusual topic. The reader is transported to a different time, a different culture, and afforded rare insights into the minds and actions of a cast of truly interesting individuals.
Rating: 
Summary: VERY Hard to follow due to subject matter!!!
Review: The book was extremely hard to follow due to the subject matter of the Geshia culture. I donot care for this type of book but because I am in a book club and this is what they chose I read it with a fairly open mind and was right on all accounts. The subject matter was hard for me to take because I donot believe that any culture should subcome to anyones specific wishes without voicing their opinions if they have any. I do tho understand that this is the Japanese culture, not the American way. I'm sure that alot of people liked the book but I as an individual did NOT.
Rating:
Summary: Incessant chit-chat
Review: Memoirs of a Geisha is an incessant chit-chat on "misuage," waxed hair, beautiful or tore kimonos. It has little redeeming literary/social value, but one: she wasn't called a prostitute, she was called a Geisha, an "Artiste who entertained the Chairman. Arthur Golden writes well, but given opportunity, Danielle Steel would have, with this subject, done far better.
Rating:
Summary: As I listened to her I felt as a soulmate, intitmate friend.
Review: I never thought I was reading fiction. I was absolutely pulled into her life by the author as if she had found me her best friend. My life is enriched after meeting her ... really.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating. Hard to believe it's fiction!
Review: This is a wonderful book. I was sorry that it had to end. The author does a great job of telling the story of a woman, and does it with a grace that makes you believe in his character. A must read!
Rating:
Summary: Interesting history lesson
Review: Though a novel, much study has gone into the writing of this story of the life of a geisha. I do believe that this is the best history book that I have read in a long time. I would highly recommend it to anyone that has even the slightest interestin Japanese life in the 1930's.
Rating:
Summary: history, pretty clothes...and a romance that's a dud
Review: As a long-time fan of kimono history and the images of geisha, I was really looking forward to this book. For what *I* wanted (day-in-the-life geisha stories, history), the book was a great deal of fun. For those looking for a romance, torrid or otherwise, try another book. While it was interesting to know that the female main character was the creation of a male writer, I don't think his achievement is as amazing as some reviews have made it seem. The narrator, although very likable, has little real depth and her devotion to her (boring) dream love is silly and tedious - and it should not be surprising that a man can depict such a creature just as well as a woman writer! I did like the book, however. I loved the description of the steps involved in becoming a geisha and the descriptions of the kimono. Anyone who is interested in Japanese cultural history or a somewhat decorous view of the "floating world" will enjoy this story because these historical points are so well-written and richly drawn. It is when the author is shaping the "story" part of the book that things bog down. The characters are a flat lot who act more in the service of plot than of character. Rather than following naturally from situation or personality, their motivations serve only to further the author's desire to impart interesting facts about geisha. The (thankfully limited) portions of the book taking place after WWII and the effective end of the geisha as anything but cultural curiosities are cursory and dull. Many readers will be able to anticipate the ending from early on in the story and will be bracing for the influx of schmaltz as they near the back cover. Thankfully, the end is surprisingly quick and thus relatively painless. It also has surprisingly little impact.
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