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Summary: A Novel to Savor!!!
Review: This is one of the most beautifully written novels of the past 20 or more years, and definitely one of my personal favorites. Arthur Golden, a student of Japanese art and language, paints a remarkably true-sounding account of one woman's training and practice as a geisha. There's not a false note in the writing: The characters, dialogue, and emotional content all ring true. Aside from some slightly plodding descriptions of the protagonist's introduction to the geisha district of Gion, the pacing is excellent. I kept waiting for Golden to slip, for some implausibility in character or plot development, some anachronism or "artistic license" that would have made me feel cheated-but it never happened. Without further research, it's difficult for me to comment on the book's historical and cultural accuracy, but it always felt true, and Golden's simple but powerful language is absolutely compelling. The book surpassed my already high expectations, and increased my appreciation of--and curiousity about--historical Japanese social structure in general, and geisha culture in particular. Above all, this is a completely satisfying book about perseverance within boundaries. Both the story and the writing are filled with grace, power, and beauty.
Rating:
Summary: A Joy to Read, absolutely beautiful!
Review: I don't know why it took me so long to finally get my hands on a copy of "Memoirs of a Geisha" but I am glad that I finally took the plunge and bought it. Once you open the book, you will find yourself absorbed in Sayuri's world; a world full of decadence where men shower geisha with expensive gifts and engage in betting wars over a geisha's virginity. Besides the expensive gifts, Golden does not completey glorify the geisha profession, but also shows the dark underside of it: the beatings, harsh training, sexual harassment, and the objectification of women. "Memoirs of a Geisha" is the 'memoir' of a peasant girl Chiyo who trains to become a geisha in Japan during the Depression. However, the book does not just detail Chiyo's training and schooling, but her struggles to find her sister who was sold into prostitution and her assimilation into the geisha culture. There are also some pitfalls along the way as Chiyo must deal with her rival Hatsumomo, who tries to ruin Chiyo's chances to become a successful geisha. I'll stop there with the plot because I do not want to give much of it away but I definitely think that this book is worth a read. I found it more engaging and beautiful than Amy Tan's "The Joy Luck Club," which is an excellent novel, but does not compare to the originality and brilliance of Golden's ability to write from the perspective of a nine year old girl as she matures into a woman. "Memoirs of a Geisha" is the type of novel that you wish would never end!
Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Story of the Life of a Geisha
Review: I usually don't read books like this one, but after hearing various recommendations for this book, I decided to try it. I was pulled into the story right away. I loved the metaphors the author used, and the story was enthralling. You learn so much about the Japanese culture. The story is about a girl who was kidnapped from her town of Yoroido and sold into "slavery." At her okiya, Chiyo meets a nasty geisha named Hatsumomo. For some reason, Hatsumomo decided that it is her job to make Chiyo's life miserable. She accused Chiyo of accusing jewelry, which of course she didn't, and puts her into a great deal of debt. I don't want to give any more of it away, but Memoirs of a Geisha is a truly amazing book.
Rating: 
Summary: A BEAUTIFUL STORY, BUT NOT 100 % JAPANESE!
Review: A friend gave me this book a year ago, knowing that one of my most avid interests is learning of other people's cultures and traditions through reading and travel. "Memoirs of a Geisha" is filled with descriptive images revealed in charismatic tongue. However, like one other reviewer, I must agree the book is not one hundred percent accurate in Japanese culture. The origin of the dogwood tree in Japan, and the fact that in reality it actually does bloom in May, not autumn as one could determine from the book, are minor inaccuracies. However, many of the Japanese sayings do appear to be the words of one who is definitely not Japanese. We should remember this is a work of fiction; the author can portray the characters, events and details any way he chooses and the story, itself, could very well be a reality. From a tiny fishing village to Kyoto, the book depicts the life of a young girl to geisha in vivid and expressive detail. The story is filled with beauty, passion, mystery and intrigue, and dispite it's minor flaws of Japanese detail, it is a still a captivating story and well worth reading.
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Summary: Enthralling, rich and detailed story. Wonderful.
Review: I have to admit, I'd never even been very interested in Oriental culture. This book was recommended to me, and despite excellent reviews, I was hesitant to pick it up. However, I did, and I have been grateful ever since. This is once of the most richly drawn tapestries I have ever encountered. I knew before reading this that geisha were not prostitutes, but I had no idea the lengths that they went to. The extensive schooling, the makeup, the OBI. (I had no idea that the obi was that complicated.) Not to mention the story! Between Hatsumomo and Nobu, I felt as though I were just as upset as Sayuri. I also must commend Arthur Golden for something that I haven't heard in a review as of yet. I had to look at the book jacket picture 3 times before I would allow myself to believe that a man penned such feminine thoughts and experiences. Not to mention the erotic symbolism that I thought only existed in the minds and hearts of women. I don't know whose head he crept into, but he sure took notes well. It's been awhile since I was upset that a book was ending. I flew through the book with such a frenetic pace that I was regretful in the end that I didn't have more time to spend in Gion. A worthy and triumphant first effort.
Rating:
Summary: The sad thing about it is . . .
Review: This is the tale of a nine-year-old girl who is sold into slavery, along with her sister. The sad thing about this is, most people don't realize that this type of thing still goes on in certain parts of the world. Arthur Golden has truly given us a "gift" with this great book. First of all, it's a great story, wonderfully told. Secondly, the book could stand alone on just the quality of writing. Thirdly, the book is moving and well paced. These are not qualities that come along every day. Of the many books I read each year, only a handful have this quality. Martel's "The Life of Pi" comes to mind, as does McCrae's "The Bark of the Dogwood." Other than that, not too many manage to marry these qualities into a successful bestseller. If you're looking for an emotional read that actually takes you someplace you've never been (hopefully) this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Memoirs of a Geisha
Review: Usually I stick to novels written by John Grisham, but a book talk in my bestsellers class sparked an interest in reading Memoirs of a Geisha. It was different from what I am used to reading, which may account for why I loved this book so much. It was something new to me and it was very interesting to read about a different culture. I enjoyed the writing style of the author. He was very descripitive through similies. His detail was written beautifuly and I found myself not able to put the book down. I enjoyed this book so much that I am looking for another book about Gesiha's or the Japanese culture.
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Summary: Japanese Cinderella?!?
Review: A well written tale, this book shows the core elements of Japanese (Geisha) culture back in World War II time as well as a fascinating tale on one of Japan's most celebrated geisha, Sayuri Nitta. Even though Ms. Sayuri may or may not existed, Golden sure did a great job in describing the events that I could feel the pain, as well as the happiness that Sayuri undergo.
This tale also reminds me of the original disney tale, Cinderella. From a poor girl in a small fishing village in the outskirt of Kyoto, Sayuri, with inspirations from her prince charming, became one of the greatest, most successful Geisha in Japan. So for a little twist from the old Cinderella, read this book and learn about the oriental culture!
Rating:
Summary: a bow to good writing
Review: I was THERE with the women. Wonderfully written!
Rating:
Summary: Emotionally charged and great!
Review: The story has hills and valleys and so many emotional things happened throughout that I wasn't expecting. This is a great book club book because I wished I had someone to talk about it with when I finished!
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