Rating: 
Summary: Cinderella in a Kimono
Review: The most glaring problem with this book is that Arthur Golden doesn't know the meaning of "less is more." Every other paragraph is spent in painful detail, and you flip pages wondering when he's going to get the story back on course. And the story itself is nothing more than a watered-down Cinderella in the Orient: poor girl wins suitor against pathetic odds. This book is terribly predictable. So much time is wasted on insignificant details (like what color stich was on what color kimono or what hair pin was worn on which geisha's head), that the author loses sight of the characters themselves. If detail and dry stories are your thing, this book is perfect; but if you're looking for a good story with solid, well-defined characters, you're better off to look elsewhere.
Rating: 
Summary: Absolutely captivating, controversy aside
Review: Whether or not Golden's novel is fully based on the facts of one Geisha's life is of little consequence once you get swept up in the unfolding story of "Memoirs of a Geisha". Iwasaki's claim that the novel is a distortion of her life story did little to diminish my attention span as I read this book. I simply could not put it down. In fact, I used the People magazine article about her as a bookmark. Anyway, I thought this novel would be all about feet-binding and sex, but it's actually very tastefully written and focuses more on the intense competitiveness between Geisha than on their sexual lives--competition for security in the form of a wealthy danna, or sponsor. This novel was much better than I'd expected. I think the author did a great job considering he was writing in a woman's voice and dealing with such a mysterious and private world.
Rating:
Summary: From Japan with love
Review: An exciting, tantalizing, erotic and enchanting saga of a girl with beautiful eyes. The story revolves around her exotic eyes which mesmerize, galvanize the beholder and eventually open all doors for her happiness. Chiyo-Chan, shy, insecure country bumpkin, who was sold by her father when she was six years old metamorphoses into a beautiful Geisha, Nitta sayuri. It is a tale of making of a Geisha, well researched, taking us into far corners of this mysterious, forbidden world. In the end we come out quiet satisfied and yearning for more. We learn all about rivalries, infighting, vying for patrons, bidding for mizuage, tea house parties, intricate details of garments they wore, and of course those gorgeous kimonos. Chiyo- Chan comes a long way from a tipsy house on a mountain top in remote town in Japan to Waldorf Astoria on chic Park Ave. In New York. She encounters numerous hurdles, beginning with separation from her sister to sustaining cruelties of a jealous, petty, resident geisha, Hatsumomo, to various men in her exciting, exotic geisha life. Her heart, however, belonged to Chairman and she agonizes when she finds out her "mizuage" is awarded to Dr. Crab. A love story with Sushi. Unforgettable
Rating:
Summary: a wonderful memoir
Review: This book will not let you put it down. The descriptions are so good it will make you think you are looking at the beautiful fabrics and makeup. A story of a young girl sold by her father, who had to lead a life of a Geisha. It gives you a wonderful look into this extravagant culture.It is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: Quite simply, overrated
Review: I tried to read this book for my book club, but gave up about midway through. I wish I could see in this book what most others seem to see. Something was missing. To me, it was only too evident that it was a male author trying to write from the perspective of a woman--clearly fascinated by all the little trappings of femininity, but somehow missing the heart and soul of a woman. (And for the record, there are some men who write successfully from other points of view--that's not the issue.) He also clung to the historical details at the expense of creating a memorable protagonist. I thought I was just being my usual curmudgeonly self, but my husband recently read this book and felt the same. So disappointing!
Rating:
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: Captivating yet sad
Review: A fictional tale by Golden about a famous Kyoto Geisha, Nitta Sayuri, right from the moment she was a small 5 year old girl to the time she became the most sought after geisha. Forced into becoming one because of her beauty, she learns the arts of a geisha and how to captivate men, like revealing just a touch of the inner wrist while pouring tea. In a world fraught by jealousy and hatred, plotting and scheming, Sayuri learns to survive especially from her jealous rival Hatsumomo who lives at the same okiya. She is not very much different from a doll that is sought after by men, has her virginity sold to the highest bidder and is not allowed to make any decisions except what kimono she is to wear. It is a beautifully written tale thats described richly in detail, so you feel as if Sayuri is taking you through a tour of her life. There is so much more meaning interwoven amongst the words, that would be lost if you just read it for what it is on the surface.
Reading it more than once is definately recommended to pick up on the nuances and hidden meanings.
Rating:
Summary: So, I admit it. I don't get it.
Review: So, I admit it. I don't get it. The reviews and the hype surrounding this novel suggest that Arthur Golden had pulled off a miraculous feat in imagining this tale of a geisha. The obvious implication being that a white American male can't penetrate the mind of an Oriental woman. Well, first of all, why? This is what writers do, create vibrant worlds to transport their readers to. Is it because of the inscrutable Asian thing? For one thing, how do we know his portrayal is even accurate? Second, what has he done here that authors like James Clavell haven't done before? Or putting the shoe on the other foot, remember the way that Kazuo Ishiguro captured the world of a British butler in Remains of the Day? So you're left with the story of a prostitute. I know, I know, it's all gussied up and there are all these rituals involved. It's supposedly an art. But at the point where you auction off your virginity, you're hooking. And of course she's likable, we all know every hooker has a heart of gold. It's all mildly diverting, but nothing to get too worked up over.
Rating:
Summary: Interested in Geisha culture?
Review: This book provides an in depth look into geisha culture, while also entertaining you with a great story. There's even detailed descriptions of how the make-up was worn and what it's made of. A must-have book for anyone interested in geisha life.
Rating:
Summary: Picked it up and couldn't put down
Review: This book has been reviewed plenty of times, I won't even go into the story line of it. Someone gave me this book 2 years ago to read and it sat on my shelf and I gave it back. I thought it would be like a history lesson and wasn't interested. Then a month ago, someone sent it to me to read and I thought, okay, I will. Foolish me 2 years ago. It is not a history lesson textbook kind of book, but an entertaining and educational story. I will forever view geishas (whether I see them in movies or other stories) with more insight than I could have before. If you are really debating on whether to take the time to read this or not, TAKE THE TIME. It is a flowing, captivating story.
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