Memoirs of a Geisha

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Book
Review: A very interesting story about a culture I was unfamiliar with. The writing is great. I could not put the book down. Looking forward to his next book.

Rating:
Summary: A New Classic
Review: I just finished this book last night and I have to say that it is one of the best books I have ever read! I could not put this one down. It's a novel, but reading it it really seems like the life story of a geisha in Japan. It has all the emotions in it. Anger, sadness, love... (you know what emotions are) This book prompted me to want to learn more about geisha, especially the contrasts between practices of earlier geisha and geisha in more modern times. The best thing is that 3/4 of the way through this book I learned that Steven Speilberg is planning on directing a movie of Memoirs of a Geisha. You can bet I'm looking forward to that! I totally recommend this book to everyone. It is destined to be a classic.

Rating:
Summary: View into another type of life
Review: The prose flows nicely and is very pleasing to read. The story is like entering into someone's life that is normally forbidden to know of and experiencing it vicariously.

Rating:
Summary: Memoirs of a Geisha
Review: This wonderfully written novel captured my interest a once and didn't lose it, even after I finished reading it. It's hard to believe it's only a story.

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Summary: Amazing this book isn't really a biography...
Review: I am amazed at Arthur Golden's ability to give life to his characters. Sayuri, Mother and Hatsumomo were so real to me I found it hard to believe Mr. Golden didn't actually interview them! It is surprising that he can write a book so insightful through a woman's point of view. I also greatly enjoyed learning about Japan and its Geisha customs.

Rating:
Summary: Please, Mr. Golden tell us more.
Review: Reading about this beautiful gray/blue eyed child moved me to the point of tears. Arthur S. Golden (from my hometown of Chattanooga, TN) has done a masterfull job of research for this novel. I picked the book up on a Thursday afternoon, and was finished Friday morning. The trials this child went through at the hands of the owners of the Geisha house and the top Geisha in that house was so painful, at times I found myself enraged at fictional characters. Every part of this novel was so detailed, it ws as if Chiyo/Sayuri was alive and part of my life. Mr. Golden put you in the story, watching this young beauty go through each day, trial, tribulation,and finally, success. Seeing her become the "ultimate" geisha was such a pleasure. At the end of the novel, I was brought to tears because Sayuri was not a real person. I wanted so badly to be able to call New York and speak with this Goddess whom had achieved so much. From a fisherman's daughter to the most well-known Geisha in the world. Mr. Golden, congratulations on bringing this woman to life for so many of us. I must say this is one of the top 10 books, out of hundreds, I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring!
Review: This is a book about a young girl that struggles through her life to be an appriciated person, a geisha.It shows how she struggles to please even as she tries to overcome loosing her family. It shows her decision to decide to put the past away, and begin the future doing the best she can and to enjoy it.It is in first person, and is the story of a real geisha. If you like inspiring stories, and your interested in different cultures as well as the lives of other people, this is the book for you. I am only 12, and I enjoy the book. It does have some erotica, and even though the reading is comprehendible, it may be inapropriate for children 14 years or younger. So buy this book, heat up some hot chocolate, sit by the fire, and ENJOY! ~*

Rating:
Summary: Yummy brain candy...
Review: but that's all it is - brain candy. A captivating story with very simplistic, uninspiring writing. I love stories which unveil insights into Japanese culture and 'Memoirs' doesn't disappoint in that respect. Plus, Hatsumomo is a fantastic villian, someone you absolutely love to hate. However, the writing was dull and unintellectual; it definitely was not the flowing prose I expected for a story about geishas. Definitely looking forward to Spielberg's interpretation on the big screen!

Rating:
Summary: Interesting and Educational
Review: I really liked this book for many reasons. First of all, for it's historic content. It is clear that the author did proper research and based the details of the life of the Geisha on fact. It was a good story and a fluent read, well written without rambling prose and irrelevant descriptions, which is so common with novels these days. However, Golden did manage a very delicate way to describe events and things that held one's attention. I loved reading about the artistry of the Geishas, not just their role as prostitutes. The only reason I was tempted to give four stars is because the end was weak. Sure we all like happy endings, but the way Sayuri was set up in New York by the Chairman (hope I'm not ruining it for you), is a bit of a fairytale ending, but then, this is fiction. In all fairness, I do give five stars because of the way it was so eloqently written. It must be hard to know where to go with such a story. Would recommend this book to everyone.

Rating:
Summary: READ THIS!
Review: This book is unbelievable. I loved every page. Do not be turned away by the size of the novel, for you will be missing out on a wonderful read.