Rating: 
Summary: Compelling!
Review: I seem to have stopped reading books that are just relaxing reads for some reason. I can't tell you that I just loved the book, but I was compelled by it, which is actually a higher compliment. When I put it down, I felt exhausted, so I know I was intent and processing much of the information the author put forth. It was a book that educated me and engaged me at the same time. Parts of it horrified me! For example, I can't imagine sleeping with my neck supported by a wooden rest so that my newly waxed and styled hair would not be crushed. I recommend this book. It's not an easy read, and in this case, that's what makes it good.
Rating: 
Summary: Memoirs of a Geisha
Review: This is definitely my favorite book. My initial reaction to a friend's recommended of this book was that it would probably be boring. How interesting could a geisha's life be? After storing this book in my desk for over 2 months, I reluctantly picked it up and started reading. To my surprise every spare time I had was devoted to what was to occur next in the story. What I loved most was the way that I felt as if could relate to the main character's life. Although the book was written by a man, I thought that he really understood a women's heart. I cried, laughed, and truly enjoyed this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Not my cup of saki
Review: I am just astonished at all the wonderful reviews for this book. I had to read Memoirs for my Book club and I say HAD because I'm sure I wouldn't've finished it otherwise. I just didn't find it beautifully written as others did; I guess I read too many really well written novels. The rivalry of women in Japan was hard to read about as was the control of the men. I suppose Golden did a good job conveying the culture of Japan but I like characters who have some redeeming qualities or that I can care about and I didn't find any here.
Rating:
Summary: A very good, hard to put down book!
Review: I didn't really think I'd be interested in this book but after reading the first page I was hooked! It's a fascinating glimpse into a world where women are treated like property to be sold to the highest bidder (the auctioning off of the characters virginity). It was just a beautifully written book. I read it in only 4 days!
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding book
Review: Memoirs of a Geisha is a captivating book that draws you in. Once you pick up this book you will not be able to put it down. I read this book from beginning to end with only a break to sleep! A beautiful novel that brings you into the spectacular life of a Geisha. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: Memoirs of a Geisha
Review: Memoirs of a Geisha was the best book I ever read. Watching the charecters develope and grow up made me feel as if I was talking to a Geisha. The author dosen't sped his time trying to find big discriptive words to discribe something breifly. Instead, he takes his time and uses common languege words. This book is a great read for anybody who has ever questioned the ways of another culture.
Rating: 
Summary: Fascinating material that did not fit well in a single book
Review: This book provided a fascinating account of a very unique part of the Japanese culture - that of the Geisha. It provided vivid detail about lives of Geishas that were hard, peculiar, manipulative (to the extreme), bazaar, exotic and stunningly beautiful at the same time. It certainly sparked a keen interest in me about the rich and contrived Japanese culture. I was partly intrigued and partly disappointed at the author's almost stereotypical treatment of some of the material. This characteristic is particularly apparent in the author's depiction of men. The men in this book were either God-like figures with heavenly appearances that spark affection or strange looking creatures whose peculiar physical treats and personalities invoked disgust. The portrayals of many of the geishas in this book were less apparent but equally simplistic. They were either stunningly exquisite or ugly in some ways to the extent of grotesque. To me, such drastic depiction of most of the characters in the book borders on exaggeration and compromises believability of the work. I cannot help but wondering whether there were hidden messages in such treatment that eluded me. The vast account of the details of the main character, Sayuri's life as a geisha revealed the extensive research behind the work. It is remarkable for a Western scholar to amass such rich and in-depth material about any aspect of a foreign culture, let along that of the highly secretive lives of geishas. But the construction of the characters in this book also was plagued by simplicity and stereotype. The author spent most effort to create the inner world of the Character Sayuri. But even this character felt, thought, and behaved almost the same when she was about nine or ten as when she became an adult. You cannot really tell how she progressed psychologically throughout the book. The rest of the characters turned out as contrived as puppet in a puppet show. Hustumomo was depicted as the master of menace, cruelty and manipulation. Mameha, a near saint with all the right connections. Mother, the Japanese version of a shrewd miser with all the typical heartlessness and gross looks. Every character carried a message without any depiction of a matching inner-world in this book. As a result, these characters turned out to be merely two-dimensional and had a hard time to convince me that they were actual real people that lived as geishas. Without constructing their complexity as human beings, the book failed to bring them alive. They appeared just like the geishas when they put on their mask. You cannot tell what they were, how they looked. They were fakes. Maybe that is exactly what the author tried to convey. Maybe that is the hidden message that I missed. But as a person who was raised in another Asian culture, I expect a lot more subtlety and complexity than the book was able to deliver.
Rating:
Summary: Love Story - Japanese style
Review: A fascinating insight into Japanese culture and Geishas. Bottom line - a young girl's development into womanhood and maturity, full of struggles and heartaches intertwined with a tender love story. Beautifully written. Hard to put down. I loved reading this book.
Rating:
Summary: Artistic Writing & Weak Ending
Review: The writing style is more beautiful than many writings in English language I have ever read (except Tennesee Williams). It's hard to find artistic writings with sense, especially because English is not my first language, but this is the one. The author researchs so much details of the specific Geisha world (Gion) in depth, which is amazingly wonderful- I couldn't believe the author is non-Japanese and, furthermore, "male" creature. It could be said a "well-done" writing. However, as a story, it's nothing more than ordinary one- especially the ending. Is it a fantasy of the author? It's far from sense of reality- at least to me. I was very disappointed with the ending; nevertheless, I give the credit for the writing style, the author's effort and enthusiasm. It's worth to read in any way.
Rating:
Summary: A delightful book with deep understanding of hidden Geishas
Review: I have recently read in the Far Eastern Economic Review, that Arthur Golden the author of Memoirs of a Geisha is being sued by Mineko Iwasaki. Iwasaki claimed that she welcomes Golden with open arms and explained to him about the world of Geisha off the records. However, Arthur published this book not long after. I have seriously and thoroughly enjoyed the book. It has thought me about the ways, hardships, and gave me understanding about the Geisha clan. Iwasaki also mentioned in the article that Golden had painted wrong pictures of Geishas to readers. I, however, found the book has thought me to think of Geisha in new light and also brighter light. Though the figures in the book are made up, the settings of the Geisha clan and the ways of Geisha are well carried across to readers. The main character, Nitta Sayuri aka Chiyo-san, was a strong character and with lots of quality that one can admire and develop respect for.
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