Rating: 
Summary: Wait for Mineko Iwasaki's book; skip Golden's
Review: The reviews and hype on this book were so wonderful that I picked up a copy and made my way through about 1/3 of it, until it became a slog. After that, I was so bored, I picked through the rest of it to find out 2 things - if her cherry was ever picked (yes, eww), and where she ended up (NYC). Much of the praise is about a man writing a book that takes you inside the life of a woman. <sarcastic gasp> Background - Arthur Golden wrote one book then threw it out and rewrote the book after interviewing Mineko Iwasaki. He spent decades on his rewrites while living off his substantial trust fund -- the guy comes from old & big money -- and what for? So his hobby gets published? I ask you, why aren't we supporting a real woman writing her story? Aren't there real women out there with things to say who need publishing money to write more than he? More background - Mineko Iwasaki is in the process (Oct. 2000) of suing Arthur Golden for breach of promise. He said that he would keep her conversations with him confidential, but then entirely rewrote his book based on information she gave him, and credits her with being his inspiration. She claims people mistakenly believe that they are reading her life story, and is about to starting to work on her own book to tell the real story. I say skip the snooze Memoirs of a Geisha and wait for the real geisha to write her book, which will probably alot more interesting than Mr. Golden's.
Rating: 
Summary: Masterly Written Historical Fiction
Review: Memoirs of a Geisha takes us through the amazing life of Nitta Sayuri. Born as Chiyo, Sayuri is taken from her family at an early age and moved to Gion, a Geisha district in Kyoto, Japan. After years of struggling as a simple maid, she realizes her destiny and is given the opportunity to become a Geisha. Sayuri must use all her assets to succeed as an artist and defeat her abusive rival, Hatsumomo. Memoirs makes for an amusing and sad read. All the while you'll find yourself rooting for Sayuri to blossom and overcome her hardships. Aurthor Golden shows us what life as a Geisha was like in the early part of last century. His intimate, deeply layered novel leaves me wondering wether this story was truly a work of fiction.
Rating:
Summary: It's all spelled out for you
Review: This book captivated me like no other. The language was beautiful and I really felt as though I had travelled to Kyoto. The smells, tastes, sights... But I guess Mr. Golden was behind on his deadline because the last pages were weak, vague, and unimpressive to this beautiful tale. Don't miss this book!
Rating: 
Summary: Great beginning, ending - what a let down!
Review: This was a much celebrated book, just about everyone I know has a copy of it on their shelves. (note how many reviews were written) And I do not deny that I enjoyed it. The writing gets into you into the head of a Geisha, her hopes fears, wishes, dreams (blah blah blah). And also does not do a bad job of writing as a woman. (Not a terrific job, but not a bad job). Portraying what I would imagine to be a very realistic world of Geishas (past). And then the ending undoes all of the sympathy and warmth I felt for the character. She becomes very shallow and munipulative. Almost as if the writer got bored, gave up and wanted to end the book. I, like many other readers, would have liked to see a different ending. If I were to just rate the first 2/3rds of the book I would give it SIX stars. I still recommend the book, but warn against the end, what a let down.
Rating:
Summary: Unable to stay shut!
Review: The book starts out with Chiyo living in her childhood town. Before a disturbing death occurs, she and her sister are sold to a geisha district. They are seperated basically for the rest of their lives with the exception of one minor meeting. The majority of this book is about her experiences in Gion. She comes face to face with what I could call a devil. She somehow manages to live her life through the many encounters of this person. It's definitely worth reading just to find out what happens to the devilgirl! Although I'd like to write a full review on what my favorite parts are, I will not do that. If you are reading this review before you read this book, I can only tell you that I highly recommend that you DO read this book! It's my current favorite. There's one disappointment with this book, however. It took me a while to completely understand the ending. I agree with some reviewers when they say that the author was simply tired of writing, and ended the book in a nice, little package. The second to last chapter was still, in my opinion, in the peak of the book. Even with that disappointment, I would still recommend this book to any older reader. It has a combination of sadness, happiness, and excitement, and you can't forget the unability of keeping this novel shut.
Rating:
Summary: Unable to dislike!
Review: Through the twists and turns of excitement that Memoirs of a Geisha holds, I must say that it is beyond one of the best books that I have ever read. Personally, I've never became so emotionally attached to a book; I'd often find myself crying at certain points; I'd also laugh sometimes. There are many ups and downs in life that this book couldn't explain better. Unfortunately, there was one disappointment, for me. I was hoping that she would end up with another person, but that's only because I wasn't aware of someone elses feelings -- which you'll see if you read it -- but after the book was finished, I was a little more relieved. I should tell you that this is the first book that I've read for pleasure in over eight years. I wanted the book to be longer. I wasn't okay with it ending where it did - I wanted more. I would recommend this book to anyone that's looking for: sadness, happiness, excitement, laughter, and many other things.
Rating: 
Summary: Can't forget this book
Review: A year ago, I was given this book to read while I was away for a long weekend at the shore. I've since bought it for five people, and I know several more that will love me for presenting them with this book. I read it in 2 days, put it down for a day, and then read it again. It's evocative, delightful, and poignant. The reader feels for the protagonist, from small joys to large life-shattering upheavals. Mr. Golden has a delicate touch, and paints the delicate silk canvas of the geisha life with broad swaths and intricate characters. Do I recommend this book? Yes, and heartily. Let the title be your guide.
Rating:
Summary: Impossible to put down!
Review: I don't think I could say enough positive things about this book in the space allotted! I decided to read it because I was curious what a geisha really was. I know most Westerners think them to be prostitutes but to me that didn't seem to be the whole of it. Indeed it's not. They are very skilled and cultured women who for the most part entertain men with stories, dances, and games. But that's not to say there isn't a little of the other involved in the job description. Namely in the ritual known as mizuage, the selling of their virginity. We learn about the life of geishas through a young Japanese girl named Chiyo. She was born to a poor family who painfully sale her and her older sister in hopes they'll have a better life. Chiyo is bought by a geisha house in real-life geisha district, Gion. We witness her struggle from maid to an apprentice and finally an actual geisha named Sayuri. The only problem that I could have with the book is the ending. I can understand why she ended up where she did... how else would she feel free to tell her story? But the build up was so great with wonderful tales and exquisite detail that the end seemed a little abrupt. On a whole the book is still good enough to make up for it. Read this book because it tells an amazing story filled with splendid characters, remarkable descriptions that make you see the story in your mind, and because you can't help but pick up some of the Japanese culture.
Rating:
Summary: Escape To Another World
Review: This is an A+ book if one were to give it a grade. I bought this book as a gift to my mother, Virginia Marie Lucero-Armijo. She told me she thought it was "so good". I am glad I enjoyed a story that she relished over now that she is no longer with me. This novel is very well written. It was like an escape to another world, namely a small town in Japan called Gion. It taught be about the lives of a geisha. It's truly a love story that grasps you in the end (especially). The words as described in this book delve into the meaning of life as you will learn form a few of my favorite lines from the book: I felt as a bird must feel when it has flown across the ocean and comes upon a creature that knows its nest.------ Was life nothing more than a storm that constantly washed away what had been there only a moment before, and left behind something barren and unrecognizable?------ The swan who goes on living in its parents' tree will die; this is why those who are beautiful and talented bear the burden of finding their own way in the world.------ We lead our lives like water flowing down a hill, going more or less in one direction until we splash into something that forces us to find a new course.------ I did nothing more useful than to kneel there, feeling as much out of my element as a pigeon in a nest of falcons.------ Grief is a most peculiar thing; we're so helpless in the face of it. It's like a window that will simply open of its own accord. The room grows cold, and we can do nothing but shiver. But it opens a little less each time, and a little less; and one day we wonder what has become of it.----- I was dressed in the most formal costume an apprentice wears, a black, five-crested robe and an under robe of red, whcih is the color of new beginnings.
Rating:
Summary: Why not five stars?
Review: That's a good question. I absolutely enjoyed this book, and was amazed at times with the writing and the detail of it. At other times, however, I felt the author sacrificed the story for style. Golden sets up a strong, consistent character in the heroine Sayuri, and in doing so, also gives us a clear vision of the city of Gion, and Japan in general, during the time period. Though I was impressed with the detail, clearly well researched to be as true as possible, I still had the nagging feeling that the view of Japan presented was based on many stereotypes. Just when I began to think I was getting a glimpse of a world few people had ever seen, I realized that it was exactly how I would've imagined it. Beautiful, but sometimes predictable. Another problem I had was the over abundance of metaphors that seemed typically "Asian". In the beginning these were well-placed and clever, but as the story went on I wished that Sayuri could see something just once without comparing it to leaves or butterflies. This is the manner in which I think the author failed the story--he didn't let Sayuri's voice change along with her character. The bottom line is that this was a wonderful subject to take on, and a great feat of the imagination to conjure this story. The writing of it is done less than perfectly, but admirably nonetheless.
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