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Summary: Useful book or World Literature Classes/Units
Review: I am a 9th grade English teacher and my only regret about this book is that I cannot use it in my classroom, according to curriculum guidelines. However, I would highly suggest this book to a teacher or professor who is interested in teaching literature or literary devices from a world literature perspective. I am in love with this book and have recommended it to all my friends. The author throws us into a Japanese culture that is not well known or understood by foreigners and even Japanese people themselves ( I read this latter fact in several other books about Geisha). The content of this book opened my eyes to the mysterious dynamics between men and women, the potent power of a seductive and beautiful woman, and the sad plight of women all over the world who must humble themselves and serve others to the point of self degradation for the right to live. The only thing that was puzzled me was this question:Is Sayuri a real person who dictated her memoirs to "Jacobsan" or was she truly and completely fictitious; a compilation of Japanese history and biographical/historical accounts? I would highly recommend the audio version (on CD) as read by Bernadette Dunne. Although I have listened the abridged audiocassete version by the other gal, Ms. Dunne's reading is much better and more enticing. I listened to the book on CD as I commuted to work and it was very difficult to turn off the car and in to work...many times (while doing errands in my car) I would drive an extra 30 minutes or so just to get to the end of a chapter or CD. This is a GRRRRRRRREAT book!
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Summary: The Tipsy House...
Review: Chiyo and Satsu were taken and sold to a different world away from their "tipsy home" just because they were poor and their mom was dying leaving them with their old dad! Their world turned up side down one summer day and their life was never the same. This poor little Chiyo grew up to be someone she never thought of! Sayuri the geisha!This is the sad beginning and it doesn't get better .. even when you think that she had achieved what she always wished for but there is always a trace of sadness that the little girl kept in her and never seemed to forget it .. The author explains a lot about what a geisha is, the kind of life they lead, their kimonos and dancing and you get to discover a different kind of living with all its secrets and fascinations.. but he doesn't make you forget Chiyo and always seems to remind you that it is the story of Sayuri and not the life of geisha in general is at stake! You never forget Chiyo, you never forget her misery and how this little girl had to grow up speeding up the days and months to become what people around her wanted her to be... but she had a dream and the ending is the surprise turn in the story.. I really don't know if she felt happy after she got what she'd always wanted.. I couldn't feel it... her suffering and unhappiness over the years felt more overwhelming than what she finally had... she never forgot her home, her childhood memories were with her all the time seen with the eyes of a nine year old, and her sister was her family and no one filled in her place .. A delicate sensual narrative full of imagery and soft breezes of superstition and circles of destiny!
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Summary: Most amazing book I've ever read
Review: As I read the book I couldn't believe this was actually written by a man. The views, the charactures, everything is perfect about this book.
I got to know the amazing world of Geishas through a book, and it's an amazing expiriance.
This is my favorite book, and I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Interesting and Haunting
Review: An interesting and haunting look into one aspect of the Japanese geisha culture. The world of geishas continues to disappear now, but this book provides a picture of the life of a geisha and a background to the emerging modern-day geishas in Japan these days. Human nature is also described in this book, in the context of the world of geishas and the Japanese society.
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Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: I have read Memoirs of Geisha numerous times, and each time it is as the first. The characters and the lives they lead as depicted in this book are fascinating. It gives all new meaning to just another pretty face.
Rating:
Summary: Just wonderful
Review: This is one of my favorite books. It tells the story of its enchanting heroine, Sayuri, beginning with her days as a poor girl in a fishing village, through her journey to become a well-known respected geisha, and to her older age when she recounts her remarkable life story to a publisher in New York . The old adage "write what you know" certainly doesn't apply to this American male author who somehow spun this wonderful and detailed story about something he could never have come close to experiencing.
Rating: 
Summary: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Review: So tediously boring in its excruciating detail, I couldn't finish it.
Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining and Educational!
Review: My review of this book is short and sweet...this book was great! You have to read it!
Rating: 
Summary: Great book to learn about the geisha's life
Review: I read this book because I've always been intrigued with geishas and wanted to learn more about them. I got what I wanted from "Memoirs of a Geisha" in an easy and entertaining reading. This said, what happens to each of the characters made me think of Disney storylines where almost everyone gets what they deserve, and what we hope for. I don't mind simplicity, but too much of the book is like a predictable fable.
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Summary: Pack Your Bags
Review: As a voracious reader, I chose this book nearly 2 years ago and it has remained one of my favorites. It inspired me to read both *Geisha* by Liza Dalby and *Geisha, A Life* by Mineko Iwasaki (the basis for Sayuri's character). Both were very informative and interesting, but obviously not as entertaining or engrossing as *Memoirs of a Geisha*. They did an excellent job of documenting and describing the life of a geisha (much of what I had already learned from Memoirs), but I was disappointed that neither was able to elicit the emotions or vicarious experiences that I had enjoyed so much in this novel. Golden was able to mesmerize me in a way that few authors can. He took me by the hand and led me into a world that I was completely unfamiliar with. I felt as though I was an unnoticed character and was almost offended that I was never mentioned as Sayuri's closest confidant! It is an unforgettable journey that impresses me each time I read it. It's one you should not miss!
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