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Summary: Very detailed account of life as a geisha
Review: It is amazing that a man can write something like this and be able to capture a girl/woman so perfectly. The detailed experiences are shocking and interesting. The story seems a bit slow at times but for the majority of the time I couldn't put it down. A definite good purchase.
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Summary: A True Woman's Book
Review: I have to say that this was one of the best books I've ever read. I believe that any woman who reads it can truly relate to this young girls life. I would recommend it to anyone. Can't wait for his next book.
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Summary: Immersing and Captivating
Review: This book was a wonderful read. My wife was the one who pestered me into reading it after her, and I gladly thank her for the nagging. It was very hard to put this book down. The story was interesting and the flow never slowed or jolted. This is definitely a book to recommend to adult readers interested in the old-world workings of the Japanese society from a peasant's point of view.
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Summary: So good, even if it is fiction
Review: There are too many words to describe this book. I read it as an english project not knowing what to expect. It was introduced to me by a friend. This historical fiction is beautifully written, describing every posible detail.It takes you through the life of a young girl who grew up in a fishing village.Through some unusual circumstances, she finds her self in Kyoto, Japan, asspiring to become a Geisha.Though many might say that this story does not accurately describe modern life in Japan,well, it wasn't supposed to. This story was written in the early 1900's.(1920's - 60's) Life and morales are different over there, so what some may see as extreme and unrealistic, are acutually normal, common, occurances. Of course not everyone lived like a Geisha, but this book gives you an insight on how those select few did live lives full of traditions almost dead. This is an outstanding book, with historical accuracy, romance, suspense, and drama. A great read that you should not pass up!
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Summary: Her Final Dream
Review: Memoirs of a Geisha is about a girl that was sold by her father into a slavery kind of atmosphere. From the struggles she had and the memories that she experienced with her parents death she tells the story of how she survived through it. She became known as one of the most popular geishas in all of Gion, Japan. In the end she experienced her dream of having her danna, (a man that takes care of a geisha) the Chairman, in which she always was in love with. She finally ended up in New York in the United States and started her own little geisha teahouse. I kind of liked this book just because it was a little experience of how you could live if you were a girl in Japan, but it was just bacially about her life, which in a way is kind of boring. But overall it was nice. I read this book for a class noval reading book, my teacher actually picked it out because the cover just looked good! It was iteresting enough for me to read, even though I hate to read?!?!?
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Summary: Not reality
Review: If you want a good example of the depravity of the current "Oriental" (Orientals are rugs, not people as R. Lee has said) craze, this is the book. A good example of how things Japanese (and other Asian cultures too) are romanticized and fetishized. I dare you to go to Japan and ask (or even ask some Japanese Americans) whether this picture is relevant in any way to their lives. Don't mistake this book for reality in any way. Don't believe that this gives you a true picture of Japanese culture. This is literally a white man's fiction, no matter how beautifully written. Just keep this in mind even if you do read the book.
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Summary: Unbelievable!!
Review: This book absolutely, positively rocked!! I had waited so long to read this book, dont ask me why, and I am truly happy that I have experienced everything it has to offer. For me, I was totally ignorant to exactly what a geisha was or is. This book is so touching in the way that a reader who has no idea of what a geisha is learns more about them as the main character encounters them and becomes one herself! I felt like I was learning all about geisha just as Chiyo/Sayuri was learning and experiencing it for herself! Wow....I just dont know what to say about this book. Everything is beautiful in this book.....the descriptions, the words and the twists and turns along the way are just dripping with emotion and truth. I am just truly impressed with this book and can't imagine anything more beautifully tragic!
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Summary: Excellent Read
Review: I could hardly put the book down. You can't help but root for the main character to win in the end. The book was compelling, heartfelt, full of detail and imagery and worth every cent.I wish it had been set in an earlier time period, and knowing that the war was coming was not pleasant, but it was handled adequately. The sudden switch at the end was expected, which is always a let down in any book. Also, so many loose ends were not tied. Perhaps there will be a sequel book for the sister? Regardless, the book was great!
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Summary: Amazing Beuty
Review: I was captured by this book from the start. It took me only 2 days to read it! I had to know it all at once. I recommend it for all without any doubts. This is a novel that refuses to stay closed.
Rating:
Summary: Oh, wow!
Review: I don't even know where to begin... _Memoirs of a Geisha_ is one of those books that will truly leave you breathless. I'd been hearing about this book ever since it came out, but it wasn't until one of my very good friends forced it into my hands that I actually read it. I'll spare you a summary of the plot, because others have done it better then I could, and frankly there's so much to this book that you could hardly describe it to it's fullest. _Memoirs of a Geisha_ is a book that you will want to read slowly and draw it out as long as you can. The way Arthur Golden describes Japan and the world of the Geisha is amazing. All western misconceptions of this world are put to the test and the truth about Geisha really come out. You are swept into their world and Mr. Golden's prose. Sayuri is character that you feel you know from the inside out and it is hard to believe that Mr. Golden is an American man, for the book flows perfectly from a Japanese woman's perspective. There is never a dull moment and I often found myself re-reading many sections just to get the full affect and power of his words. _Memoirs of a Geisha_ is masterfully contructed to the point where you can close you eyes and see Japan. Honestly, I would be surprised if you haven't heard of this book until now, and if you havn't read it yet, don't waste another minute. You will be blown away by this epic, amazing book. Bravo, Mr. Golden- I can't wait to see what else you bless the book world with.
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