Memoirs of a Geisha

Rating:
Summary: Gives the illusion of being deep, but ultimately shallow
Review: I expected to be enthralled. But if you strip away all the cultural details and an occasionally lovely description, this becomes a book about a basically simple-minded woman who spends a lot of time talking about clothes, hair, makeup, and boys. I find it hard to believe that a real geisha, who is trained as an artist and conversationalist, would be this banal. The other characters were also nothing more than skin-deep depictions. Since the book was set in this century, the author had an opportunity to explore any number of interesting juxtapositions: the impact that modern Western culture and technology had on Japan, the way the Japanese were emotionally affected by WWII, ANYTHING that would have caused this book to operate on more than the most superficial level. The book screams "made-for-TV-movie."

Rating:
Summary: Captivating -- I couldn't stop thinking about it
Review: The book drew me in from the first page, and it was torturous putting it down when I had to get back to work. Even when I wasn't reading the book I found myself thinking about it, replaying the story in my head. Golden described Sayuri's life so vividly that I was able to visualize, and often almost feel, everything Sayuri experienced. A truly wonderful experience -- highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: LOVED IT.....
Review: WHEN A BOOK CAN BECOME A VISUAL EXPERIENCE -- IT IS ALMOST PERFECT......WOULD RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE....MY BOOK HAS BEEN SHARED WITH THREE HOUSEHOLDS SO FAR........

Rating:
Summary: "Hooked from page one..."
Review: I went from the last page right back to the first page immediately. This is my new favorite book. Thank you, Arthur Golden, for writing this wonderful book and introuducing me to Sayuri.

Rating:
Summary: The BEST!
Review: Rarely have I read a book with so much to give

Rating:
Summary: Touching on all levels of human emotion and hope
Review: Wonderfully woven accounts depict this easy to read and relishing novel. It touches all sorts of human behavior and emotion and offers an intimate glimpse into one aspect of Japanese culture. Having been to Japan many times over the years, and having relatives, who still owns tea houses, I found myself reminiscing the very typical scenes described in the book. Overall, quite entertaining.

Rating:
Summary: BIG SUCCESS: SMALL PROBLEMS
Review: I was enthralled with the story and subject matter. I've had the opportunity to visit Japan in the past, so the visual elements took on an even more realistic appeal. As a woman, I identified with Sayuri and was amazed how Golden, being a male, was able to capture a woman's point-of- view throughout most of the tale. However, what happened at the end? About two paragraphs were devoted to Sayuri's child. It was so brief, I had to read it a couple of times to make sure it wasn't in my imagination. I'm shocked that no other reviews, of the fifty or more I've read, mentioned this. Could it be that they missed this too? I don't have children, but I know as a woman that this is one of the biggest events in life. I do have a dog though, and I would devote more than two paragraphs to her. I know I really liked the book because at the end I kept trying to rationalize the author's reason for this. Such as, Sayuri didn't want to shame the Chairman by talking about this taboo issue with the interviewer, etc... Also, I must have liked it because I'm writing a review. I never do this!

Rating:
Summary: Enoyable... despite the ending
Review: Engrossing, captivating, extremely descriptive, I finished "Memoirs" in 8 hours. A fascinating story which takes you away, but the Hollywood-style ending didn't fit with the first three quarters of the book. I was left wanting something more substantial. Did the author stop caring, get bored, or find something else to do? The whole thing with the Chairman came off as just too convenient. I think this book would make for a good summer read and I'd recommend it to friends - but probably with a caveat or two.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful
Review: Wonderful book. Beautifully written. I hope Spielberg's adaptation does it justice.

Rating:
Summary: SUGOI!!!!!!! ("incredible" in Japanese)
Review: Golden has really brought to life the geisha, and really brought to readers how closed and esoteric Japanese culture is. It is obvious through reading this book that Golden has thoroughly researched everything Japanese, and is a true "Japanologist." His novel not only thrilled me, it gave me a mirror to compare my life as a foreigner in Japan as well. Here's hoping Golden weaves another Japanese tale!!