Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This book was, simply put, wonderful. The narrative was rich with desription and humorous metaphor. I thoroughly enjoyed this peek into the culture and mindset of a woman in pre and post-depression Japan. I found Sayuri to be exotic yet still accessible and likeable. I read it in about four days, the time flew by while I was enthralled by Sayuri. I recommended it to my mother and two best friends who both also gave glorious reviews upon completion. My only complaint is I would have liked to have heard Sayuri's thoughts even more, such as more of her inner conflicts about love, the chairman, and her thoughts about her place in life and society. This book stuck with me for weeks after I sadly finished the last page.
Rating: 
Summary: Very disappointed, albeit mildly entertained.
Review: There is some slight entertainment value in this book for those readers who aren't interested in anything with real substance. I kept waiting for some deeper insight into "geishaness." I was hoping for more historical background. I was wishing for some plot and/or depth of character. Sad to say, I was disappointed on all fronts. I did finish it, however, so that says something.
Rating:
Summary: I recommended the book to all of my friends!!!
Review: I loved the book. It was written well. The story was entrancing and full of discoveries both for the geisha and for me. I was transformed into the geisha world. I can't believe a man wrote this insightful book . Bravo!! I recommended it to all of my friends.
Rating:
Summary: Written so well you can see the world they live in!
Review: I have to be drawn into a book by the first three chapters to continue reading. I was not disappointed by "Memoirs". The words paint a picture so powerful I could not put this book down! You a drawn into a world of unseen beauty, cruelty, and jealousy. The ending is enourmously satisfying. One of the best books I have read all year!
Rating:
Summary: what an amazing book.
Review: i have to say this is one of the best books i have ever read. i couldn't put it down for a second , and i enjoyed every minute. it's truly a master peace.
Rating: 
Summary: Meticulous detail, at times like a Mills and Boon novel.
Review: This book was addictive all through the beginning. All my spare time was spent reading about Chiyo and her plight. A.Golden has done a fine job researching about Japan, their speech, their culture, the seniority complex prevalent in society. I was drawn to the imagery, the humour, and the drama. Near the end though, through Sayuri's obsession with the Chairman, I began to lose interest. It is such a pity the ending wallowed like a Mills and Boon novel, I was quite disappointed. Overall, I found it a mesmerising read nonetheless and would highly recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Absorbing
Review: I could not put it down. It started off captivating. Got a little bit slow during her life as a student Geisha but from there on, it is pure excitement - an interesting glimpse into a culture long gone.
Rating:
Summary: Engaging but extremely shallow!
Review: I have mixed feelings about this novel. On one hand, I couldn't put it away until I finished it - it was very engaging and kept me interested until the end. On the other hand, the novel seems to be merely a Japanese version of any of Daniel Steel's stories. It was shallow and I learned nothing about Japanese culture, other than how to wear a kimono. The story was supposed to be a memoirs, but had a fairy-tale ending. There was not a single realistic character. I love the idea behind the novel, but I hate the way it was written. I think the author could have done so much more with this topic. I agree that this was not a "woman's story"; it was very obvious that the novel was written by a man. And I think there is much more to the world of Geisha than the author tells. According to this novel, Geishas are shallow, simple, uneducated women, whose only gift (if they have it), is being able to flirt and hold silly conversations. I think the author failed to describe a lot of cultural details and historical events that happend during that period, because he concentrated solely on trying to tell the story of one woman. I read a lot of novels that were written by men from a woman's point of view, and which I found fascinating, either because the main characters were so interesting, or because a lot of history and culture was added to the story. This book lacks both and that's what makes it so shallow. It's a good book to read while on the subway or on an airlane - to just pass the time.
Rating:
Summary: What is a successful life for Sayuri?
Review: Amazingly the language by American author gives me an impression to be written by Japanese. Every word becomes one part of me very smoothly. Sayuri tells a story in the indirect ways such as "isn't uncommon" and "isn't unusual", and sometimes you might feel something flat and boring, but this is very common in our speaking, really. The author seems to follow our style so as to make oriental atmosphere.In the earliest period of Sayuri's life, she was just drifting in the "water" filled with misery and sorrow. After her coming to Kyoto, "water" in her personality itself must have had a strong will to remove any obstacle like a dam and finally got a successful life at the end. What is a successful life for her? Only living with Mr.A she was seeking for a long time? No, that is she started a business in New York with his big help and away from him! -Kayo-
Rating: 
Summary: This was one of the worst books I've ever read.
Review: The book started out slow, and then got worse. I've never read about such a spineless group of women in my life. Halfway through the book, I didn't care what happened to the characters, but I had to finish it for book club. What country was it a National Bestseller in?
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