Rating: 
Summary: Not exactly a history lesson. . .
Review: You can find something interesting if you wade through a myriad of reviews. One thing I wondered as I was reading was, How much of this really happened? There were certain details and dialogues that I felt had to have really occurred. I know this book is touted as "fiction," but I also saw that the author had interviewed a geisha extensively and I felt some of story had to have come from her: example, geisha-style repartee at a party. Then I find a review where someone's saying that is indeed the case, and that the author's being sued, etc. The book: lots of interesting detail and twisty plot. . . just a fun romance novel with historical detail thrown in. It was far too climactic to be a true memoir. And the climax (hee hee) where she's united with the Chairman after all. . .a little too pat and Hollywood. This aspect of the story doesn't seem very Japanese to me (but who am I to say). Also, I couldn't help but think all along. . .the Chairman was married, and we can all jump for joy that Sayuri finally gets her man, but somewhere in the background is someone's poor wife whose culture doesn't permit HER to screw around.
Rating: 
Summary: Makes my heart ache
Review: I've just finished reading this book. It is absolutely one of the best books I've ever read. It's so well written and really had me glued to it. My mom had yell at me to "unglue" me from the book. The descriptions are so REAL, it made me wish that the people in the books are really alive and that I can meet them one day. It brought me to an emotional roller coaster ride, humorous than heart achingly sad. A wonderful book.
Rating:
Summary: What Insight!!
Review: This book really gave fascinating insight about a Japanese underground culture that modern people will not otherwise experience. Reading "Geisha" will uncover a world of women who are so much more than prostitutes, they are women of hardship and grace. I just hope others enjoy the book as much as I did.
Rating:
Summary: RIVETING!
Review: I could not put this book down and when I had to, I couldn't wait to pick it up again. Arthur Golden is masterful in his description of a Geisha's life. He also has an uncanny ability to acurately capture the female psyche. Beautifully written.
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read
Review: This book is a page-turner and I recommend it to everyone...I couldn't put it down. I noticed that Mrs. Soprano was reading this book in several scenes on the Sopranos at the same time I was reading it...This is the best book I have read this year, and I read a lot...HJK
Rating:
Summary: Interesting and Inspiring
Review: Memoirs of a Geisha is a very interesting book and I have learned quite a bit from it, Every word is so real and is so very mystical you don't want to put it down. It is a very inspiring book and is one of my favourites!
Rating:
Summary: Best book ever
Review: We read this book for my book club recently. I loved it. I could barely put it down. I just wanted to sneak away to read more. The author really draws you into the Geisha's life. It starts with her as a small child until she is older. There were so manu interesting and unexpected parts. You just have to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Interesting, entertaining & a fun story
Review: Enjoyed this book a lot. It kept my attention throughout and was highly entertaining. The end is a bit cliche and forced...almost as if he didn't know how to end it....but I fell for it anyway. I loved the character. This is a good book for vacations and lazy rainy afternoons.
Rating: 
Summary: Lyrical in it's writing style
Review: The writing style of this book is prose-like. Chiyo (soon to become Sayuri) speaks with humor and pathos as she tells her story. Her life story spans from 1929 until the 1960s, as she and her sister are sold to a Geisha house by their Father as their Mother lays near death. The girls are separated, however. The older sister is sold to a house of prostitution because she lacks Chiyo's delicate beauty. Chiyo's life is dismal and unhappy under Hatsumomo, the reigning geisha, a cruel young woman who sees a threat in Chiyo. She shares space with another orphan, nicknamed Pumpkin. They are eventually turned against each other by Hatsumomo's mischief. Soon, Chiyo loses her status as trainee due to Hatsumomo's maneuvering and she can now look forward to a life of drudgery as a maid. However, Chiyo is taken under wing by Hatsumomo's archenemy and main rival, the beautiful Mameha, who transforms her into a first rate geisha in which her name changes to Sayuri. In fact, events between Sayuri and Hatsumomo come to a head and a decision is made regarding them. This story tells about the life of Sayuri and her secret love, the Chairman, a man who shows her a kindness when she is a child. His kindness to her turns into love on Sayuri's part. The story is well written but has a rushed feel to the ending. There were some loose ends that could have been addressed, such as what happens to Hatsumomo once she and Sayuri have their final conflict; and a more in depth look at her relationship with the Chairman. Still, I recommend this book to anyone interested in a geisha's life.
Rating:
Summary: As Beautiful as a Haiku...
Review: Memoirs in an outstanding work that allows readers a glimpse into a culture that is mysterious and fascinating. With touching characters and beautiful language, Arthur Golden creates a world that enchants the reader and keeps the pages turning. The most wonderful aspect of this book is the brilliant use of metaphors that incorporate Eastern philosophy to convey feelings and emotions of the main character, Sayuri. And the descriptions of Kimonos, landscapes and physical features were equally wonderful. However beautifully rendered and well researched this book is, it seems as though Mr. Golden often found himself searhing for a concrete story line. Rather than simply following the life of Sayuri, he turned it into her personal quest to obtain the love of a character that is never even developed and the reader can not feel. Constant references to the Chairman become extremely annoying by page 300. But since this book is told in first person, developing other characters with whom the main person has limited contact may be difficult. But then again, I found myself wanting to know more of Mameha, Hatsumomo and Pumpkin as well. And what happened to Satsu? Perhaps Mr. Golden was just more concerned about telling Sayuri's story, often at the expense of other characters who were just as interesting. And approaching the end of the book (the last 30 pages), I really could not see how the story would be wrapped up. Then, it came to a conclusion rather abruptly. The author found closure, but he found it quickly and without suspense. Not a particularly strong ending to a good book. Still, I recommend this book to all people, especially those who have always wondered about the life of a Geisha. It is truly outstanding in that capacity. 4 stars. This book is as beautifully written as a Japanese haiku, but doesn't quite hit the mark.
| 
