Memoirs of a Geisha

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Summary: This is an exotic, senstitive and lyrical book.
Review: Golden has done a masterful job of insinuating himself into the mind and the heart of a Japanese woman. He describes her milieu to perfection. The reader is transported in time to Japan, from the year 1929 until the years following World War II. Golden portrays the desperation of the geisha to become successful. He also shows us the hard work, the political infighting and the scheming that are part of the "game". This book has much to say about the horrible plight of a Japanese woman who depends on others for her livelihood. She has to become the person that others want her to be instead of expressing her own identity. It is heartbreaking. The book has an authenticity and even a poetry that makes it both vivid and unforgettable.

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Summary: One of the best books I've ever read
Review: I read this book after reading so much press about how great it was. I was skeptical but thought the subject matter was interesting. By the time I was into the second chapter I didn't want to put it down. I don't want to say anything about the story so as not to give anything away but I recommend the book highly. I have already given it to 2 friends who loved it as much as I did.

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Summary: Page Turner!
Review: Loved the book.. so well written and crafted. Cannot wait to see the film now.

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Summary: A captivating, unique, page turner!
Review: I have to admit I am not familiar with the Japanese culture; other than the stereotypical, misconceptions. I was initially drawn to the novel out of curiosity. As soon as I began reading the novel I couldn't put it down. I found myself thinking throughout the day at work..."I can't wait to get on the train to read more!" Golden paints a picture of a culture that is intriguing and unforgetable. Once you step into Sayuri's life, you will find yourself missing her once the book is finished.

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Summary: This book has really touched my heart.
Review: From the beginning I was captivated by this story. Golden does such wonderful job of telling Sayuri's story, I was disappointed when I actually found out that in real life Sayuri does not really exist....But this book has truly sparked my interest in the history and culture of geishas. In fact, after reading this book I even visited Japan and went to Gion to see where this story took place. I went to the Gion shrine and even dressed up as a geisha and had my picture taken at a studio. It was so much fun! I can't wait until the movie comes out!

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Summary: Beautiful, evocative and painful.
Review: This, more than anything, is a loving and beautiful evocation in simple, but skillful prose of Japan at the beginning of this century, coupled with a likeable and highly intelligent central character and a very, very good plot of hope, endurance, suffering and love. Impossible to put down, heartwrenchingly moving, and ultimately very insightful.

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Summary: This book captivates the reader!
Review: I absolutely loved this book. From the very beginning I could not put it down, and finished in just a couple of days. I love that the reader finds out more than just about the life of the Geisha. The reader follows the life of a young girl who grows into a Geisha and more. This is part of what keeps it so interesting.

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Summary: An Excellent read
Review: My mother lent me this book when I last went home to visit and once I started, I couldn't put it down. The story-telling is exceptional and the reader is captivated by Sayuri's mystical world. An excellent read!

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Summary: captivating and beautiful.
Review: my boyfriend bought me this book for christmas and i didn't know why. i had never heard of a geisha nor the lives they lived. after i read the book i find myself in awe of the geisha and all they stood and still stand for. the book has so many wonderful meaningful life quotes. they put many aspects of live we are forced to endure into perspective. i don't think i have ever read a book that touched me quite in the way this book did. i know that i will look back in the book in the future and read those beautiful words and feel inspiration. although the author never experienced anything like sayuri did, he captured her innocence, her strength, and her beauty all in just those short 434 pages. i reccommend this book to anyone.

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Summary: dissapointing--and i'm only 1/4 of the way through
Review: to begin, the so-called translator's note annoyed me to pieces. and every time a new japanese term was introduced the author felt compelled to give a LESSON on it. gimme a break! quit showing off your education, put it in a glossary in the back of the book and GET ON WITH THE STORY!!! (true, i didn't know what a lot of these terms meant but i felt talked down to). lengthy descriptions of kimono patterns seemed to me a waste of time and not at all interestingly written enough for me to care. to top it off the story line so far has been very cliche. i'm so glad my copy is borrowed.

i'm hooked though.