Rating: 
Summary: fact vs. fiction
Review: This is a wonderful book. It artistically portrays the life of a Geisha without being obscene. Arthur Golden also brings the setting and characters to life for the reader. Without his skill of being able to completely describe the surrounding in an interesting way, the book would be boring.
Rating: 
Summary: Riveting tale of "Fiction".
Review: I just finished reading this tale of woe. All I can truly say is that after reading this story of the life of one woman, I have newfound respect for women born into the Asian culture.What is it that we think about when we hear the word Geisha? Prostitute? Street Walker? Yes? No? Well, what I thought about Geishas' was not at all what I found to be true. While a Geishas' main role in life is to essentially please and serve her man, that does not automatically entail that she will end up sleeping with him. On the contrary, that could not be farther from the truth. This is the spellbinding tale of Sayuri, a child who was taken from her home, and sold to the highest bidder. This is her sad tale of injustice that happened to a woman, who had the misfortune of being born into poverty. Living day to day with her continuous monotony of school, lessons and self preparation of the life they were "destined" to lead. I cannot convey the sorrow I felt for Sayuri, Pumpkin, Mameha and the others, at the role they were meant to play. Never an honest feeling or moment. For who in this impoverished country could really care about the needs and wants of a simple little girl. Who was she, but a painted face, exquisitely dressed, to serve and to satisfy Man. This is a tale of FICTION. Reviewers who are bashing the author, obviously do not understand that the story is ficticious. As to whether or not something like this could have happened, is very believable and quite plausible. Japan of the past, is not the Japan, we know now.
Rating:
Summary: Lifestyle of Sayuri, the Geisha (call girl)
Review: This was a descriptive story of a women's lifestyle as a Geisha, a.k.a., call-girl, or Courtesan depending upon your nationality. Some reviewers may disagree with my callous remark that the main character, Sayuri, was bred to become an entertainer and call girl, because the story is told in a sweet manner and truly personifies the struggles of a geisha's training. However, she does have sex for money. In addition, many other characters are fully developed and intriguing in their own sort, which adds tremendous value to the storyline. I was impressed with the descriptions of the kimono dresses, tea parties, and of Pre-and-Post-WWII Japanese neighborhoods. Many of my girlfriends unequivocally favor "Memoirs of a Geisha" as a 'must read'; and I was equally impressed from a spear perspective. This is a great book, humbling, emotional, and realistic. I recommend.
Rating:
Summary: Leaves you wanting more
Review: After living in and around Kyoto for two years, I felt connected to this story and its characters more so than most other books. The author's beautiful prose took me back to a time and place of hanging lanterns, reverent temples, and of course, geisha. This book does a good job of showing that geisha are not prostitutes, like so many people think, but are rather dignified entertainers. I also think the author depicts the attitude of so many Japanese men - an attitude that, until recently, women have put up with. I really enjoyed this book. It's brilliantly written, full of interesting and lifelike characters, and meangingful. Zehi, yonde mite kudasai.
Rating:
Summary: Who knew fiction could contain so much truth?
Review: Memoirs of a Geisha, a fictitious novel about the life of a young Japanese geisha (Chiyo/Sayuri) and her trials and tribulations is a captivating story that both pulls at the heart strings, and elevates the reader. It is a story of cruelty, hopelessness, heartbreak, success, rivalry, betrayal, revenge, and love. Set in the Gion district of Kyoto before and during WWII, Arthur S. Golden succeeds in portraying the daily life of this young woman in startling detail, yet still keeping the reader interested and wanting to learn more about her. Sayuri's successes and failures belong to the reader. This book is an excellent and lucid read, I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys either biographical works or learning about Japanese cultural values in a non-textbook sense or even anyone who just wants to read a good story.
-S
Rating:
Summary: skin-deep beauty
Review: This fictional memoir (so detailed, I thought it actually happened for the longest time) shows a sweeping view of a Japanese girl's rise into Gion society as a geisha. From humble beginings as a fisherman's daughter, Sayuri is sold into geisha-training at a tender age. After an encounter with the illustrious Chairman as a child, she dedicates the rest of her life as a geisha to eventually snagging the only man she ever dreamt about. This turns out to be much more difficult than expected when the chairman's college Nobu--disfigured in the first world war--seems much more interested in her.
The real beauty of this narrative lies in the brilliant detail of a geisha's every day life: the multicolored kimonos, the hairstyles, the tea ceremonies...all are fascinating. Far more disturbing is the downward spiral of Sayuri's motives to win the affection of the chairman, even after he refuses to notice her for over fifteen years. I found the ending sour, asking "and the point was...?" I wonder, are all women destined to a similar fate?
Rating:
Summary: Unique, unlike the others
Review: Once you pick this book up, it's rather difficult to put it down again until you finish it. This is certainly one of the best books I've ever read in a long time. In fact, as the translator has mentioned, it is hard to believe that the narrator has passed away already. I do suggest this one for a light read. To be honest with you, I've never even thought that it would inspire me so much! Very unique and realistic for non-fiction.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Brilliant
Review: This book has now been added to my 'favorites' list. The story is about a young girl who is sold by her ailing parents to geisha house. She is soon taken in by a very popular geisha to learn what is to be expected of her. Sayuri soon becomes a very popular geisha within the Gion teahouses. She meets may different men who all have different ideas for her. The final 100 pages are probably the best. Just when you think Sayuri will finally be happy, the opposite happens. I promise you that you will absolutely love this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A Well Written Danielle Steele
Review: As a lover of historical fiction I truly enjoyed Golden's portrayal of what it meant to be a geisha in pre-WWII Japan. But when the main character decided to put everything on the line for love it just screamed cheesy romance novel that I had a hard time finishing the last 100 pages. Read it for the sense of time and place but leave reality at the door.
Rating:
Summary: I could not put it down
Review: A friend recommended this book to me. Having never heard of the author or the book, I was a little skeptical, but willing to take my friend's word on it. I was blown away at the author's ability to paint a picture in my mind from beginning to end. I am a bigger fan of classic literature than modern fiction, but Memoirs of a Geisha is the best book I have read in years. Every time I picked it up, I didn't want to put it down. I highly recommend this book to all.
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