Memoirs of a Geisha

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Summary: A brilliant novel drawing from Japan's Geishas.
Review: This book offered a brilliant insight into the world of the Geisha. It portrayed the Geisha as something other than the mystical oriental doll-like creature often viewed as the Asian Prostitute. Instead, it gives the reader an opportunity to learn about the inner world of the Geisha, the training, the thoughts, the culture and history behind these women. The development of the characters, particularly the primary character from her childhood to the ultimate fantasy of being the Geisha to the Commander was a gem and I couldn't put the book down.

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Summary: A wonderful story! Very hard to put down.
Review: Mr. Golden has written a wonderful touching story of the life of a Geisha named Sayuri. As the story unfolds, the reader is swept along with Sayuri to the Geisha district of Kyoto where her new path in life begins. In order to survive, she focuses all her determination and courage on her "Savior", the Chairman. There are many memorable characters in the story but Hatsumomo as the "root of all evil" is outstanding. Although I found myself truly hating her, I experienced a certain pity... I enjoyed this book so much I read it in two days.

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Summary: Wonderful world-building, conventional storyline
Review: Great world-building from start to finish, and well worth reading for anyone curious about the geisha and their world -- I'm unsure how solid the author's research may have been, being no scholar, but I certainly found it absorbing. The story-line, however, is in the end conventional to the point of becoming a bit of a disappointment.

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Summary: Very Overated..
Review: I find it hard to believe that Speilberg is making a film out of this. It's an easy read, but then again so is a Harlequin novel.It looks into the submission of women in the Japanese culture of the time, and makes you wonder how much of that still exists.

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Summary: ENLIGHTENING AND WONDERFUL
Review: I could not put this novel down! I commend Arthur Golden for enlightening my "western" mind. I grew up with the knowledge that a geisha was just a Japanese prostitute. How insultingly incorrect for these women without the beatiful choice of freedom that we, as women of the 90's have. I read the ill reviews from those who must be some sort of "scholars" in the field of literature. But, none the less, I'm glad we are able to voice our opions (good or bad), unlike the geisha Arthur Golden taught me about. Thank you Mr. Golden for sharing this bitter-sweet novel of a time past. I am aware that the author could not possibly have put in every detail of the geisha, as some have felt was a "lack of depth" in this novel. Why take the artistic talent and analyze it to that sort of depth? We are not all made of the same mold (thank goodness for this). I share the same feeling, in that, I didn't want this book to end. But, none the less, all good things must come to an end. Mr. Golden, you have given to me a new and more powerful understanding of what "geisha" entails. Thank you and kudos to you!

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Summary: Completely enchanting! From the eyes of a Geisha!
Review: Chiyo brought me on a heartfelt journey filled with beautiful tea rooms, coveted kimono's and the struggle for a young woman to find her destiny. I was educated, entertained and artfully seduced into becoming an ally for this young girl to achieve her hearts desire. I enjoyed this book immensly and was saddened when I reached the end because I will miss the characters.

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Summary: Kimono fetishist
Review: I'm being harsh, but the constant repetition of the details of kimono and hairstyles took up a huge proportion of the books 400+ pages that could have been used to give us some insights. Why any man would be interested in the women portayed here, let alone pay forunes for their company is beyond me.... The women are not the only characters sold short; a doctor reduced to a sweat whilst treating a cut on the thigh of a 15 yr old ...please!

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Summary: If Judith Krantz had written David Copperfield . . .
Review: The author has obviously done a lot of research, and the memoir gimmick and the details of geisha life were interesting. But there was no story here, and there so easily could have been. The poor little heroine is saved by her fairy godmother and prince charming. We're expected to love her for that -- never mind that she herself is cruel and dishonest to the very people who have been kind to her, or that, even though she once considered death preferable to life as a maid, we never once hear her worrying about any other maids after she herself is "promoted." This could have been a terrific book if the complete failure to discuss the moral questions is revealed as the oppressor-identification one might expect, if there had been a change in tone when we reach WWII, and Sayuri got some perspective on her world. Instead, she learns nothing and inexplicably returns, without even any discussion of the choice, to the geisha life she once risked her life to escape. Likewise, we never learn why she forgot all about her sister, how the other geisha found themselves "in the life," what happens to geisha who do escape, and other really interesting possibilities. It's also disturbing to see this institution (so it's not exactly prostitution -- it's more like courtesan culture -- big deal) romanticized to the point where so many readers fell in love with it. Set it in the US instead of an exotic location, take away the fun descriptions of clothes and hairstyles, and what you have left is the kidnapping, sexual abuse, and slavery of young children.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: What a great book. It feels like Sayuri is an old friend. She overcame great challenges and showed the resilience of the human spirit. It was wonderful to have the old Kyoto geisha days come to life and get an insider's view. I could not put this book down. It made me grateful for how much freedom I have to make my own choices.

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Summary: Tremendously beautiful!!!!
Review: I was sad and depress when i have actually finish the book. I WANT MORE... It is as if i have been part of the life of Sayuri. i wish that i could go back and finally be able to admire one of the Geisha. I finally discover the world of the Geisha the way my Japenese friends have been describing it to me. Thank you Mr Golden.