Memoirs of a Geisha

Rating:
Summary: This book will be a classic!
Review: I thought that Japanese culture and that of the geisha was captured in an amazing manner. I was impressed with the way the author explained the various traditions and practices of the geisha. The author does this in a way that captures Sayuri's personality ingeniously.

Rating:
Summary: A tour de force without payoff
Review: A richly detailed, well written, but ultimately pointless "memoir." The intricacies of a geisha's life are interesting and give this novel whatever uniqueness it has, but there is little plot to speak of. In the final analysis, it seems not much more than an exotic Harlequin romance.

Rating:
Summary: Impressive!
Review: I feel ashamed to admit this, but I bought this book for two reasons. 1) The Cover - It's not the same as pictured above. I wont even begin to try and describe it for fear of doing it an injustice, but I assure you it was beautiful. 2) Madonna was raving about it an interview. However I'm glad I was swayed by those superficial stimuli. The story had me hooked from beginning to end. I lost all track of time. It was an educational and emotive journey through the world of a geisha. I've just read it for a second time and it was just as powerful and entrancing as the first time!

Rating:
Summary: Mu husband even enjoyed the book, and he never reads!
Review: I felt transported to a different life that could never be imagined. It was magical and tragic! To be treated so royally and so poorly all at the same time is amazing. I found this a book hard to put down, always wanting to know what would happen next. I read it in a few days. It was pure entertainment!

Rating:
Summary: I loved the book, but am puzzled by the "translator's" note.
Review: This is a beautifully written and highly imaginative novel. But is it a translation, as averred by "Professor Jakob Haarhuis, Arnold Rusoff Professor of Japanese History, New York University"? Or is the so-called translator a fiction also? Can someone please answer my question? Thank you.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent--with one or two flaws
Review: When I saw the title I had some misgivings about this book which were happily unfounded. The story was both absorbing and extremely convincing. The only problem I had with the book was the endless similies the heroine utters. They were a little annoying. But this minor quip aside, reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" was a wonderful experience.

Rating:
Summary: This story was maginficent--I could not put the book down.
Review: I bought this book without too much previous knowledge of the book or author. When I got the book home and started to read, I found I could not put the book down! It was amazing! It is one of the best books I have ever read, I rank it up there with "Native Son" and "Grapes of Wrath." YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!! His descriptions are completely and utterly fantastic and beautiful, this book is worth every penny in the enjoyment and enlightenment it brought to me.

Rating:
Summary: Geishas - their other side of the coin
Review: A fisher's girl sold to a Geisha house. Her life as a servant, as an aprentice, as an geisha. Women of art, women of business. Fabulously written, easy to follow, wonderful to escape in! Kono hon ha sugoi desu!

Rating:
Summary: Makes me want to return to Japan
Review: Arthur Golden's novel makes me want to go back to Japan and re-visit the places that are described in the story. Sayuri was a wonderful character, both sad and compelling to read about. I don't know that I would have enjoyed being a geisha, but it would be interesting to have lived at that time. The story is incredibly interesting and I'm very glad that I read it. The only problem now is -- I can't begin another book again until I stop thinking about Sayuri, Mameha and their lives. I have ordered the book "Geisha" so I can learn a bit more about their lives.

Rating:
Summary: A very descriptive book about a time and profession now past
Review: This book was beautifully written and indescribably detailed. It gave insight into a culture long since gone in a way that was detailed but not flowery. A very quick read.