Rating: 
Summary: Entertaining, enlightening, but characters lack depth
Review: Overall, the novel was entertaining. We see the protagonist maturing into a very calculated character as her situation determines. In the end, she becomes more condemnable than the characters that she has combated throughout her life as a Geisha. The distinction is that she is willing to injure someone dear to her to obtain her goal, while the other characters that have throughout the novel been seen in an unfavorable light seem to have a certain element of honor in that they hurt the people that think have slighted them or threatened them in some way without before hand owing them a great debt or forming a strong bond with them. Some of the characters portrayed are very simplistic in that they were portrayed as either entirely good or positively bad. One of the main characters is portrayed as the knight in shining armor and another an admirer that is little more than a tool to serve the protagonist's ends. The only insight into their real lives is the events t! hat form the images in our minds about the individuals; thus we know that one character suffered a terrible accident explaining the condition of his skin, but all else is measured by levels of desire. The protagonist does not dwell on the hollowness of her existence but accepts it as if she was born into it when she truly was not and thus had more reason to question her fate. She, unlike other novel characters does not dwell upon counterfactuals. The novel is essentially a modern fairytale as nearly everyone that gets their just deserts does so and the others that have played a role in slighting the protagonist get their comeuppance in the end. Too many mysteries remain in the novel, we never know the true character of individuals, we only get the caricature of them. Indeed the ending is hollow, as we are not allowed to witness the awkwardness of certain situations between two principal characters when one has been slighted. I found it difficult to believe that the p! rotagonist, who is portrayed as an intelligent individual, ! does not question the morality of the men that she seems to care for. Her object of desire is seen as a grail, the quest/desire for whom has entirely guided her life. This man has a family of his own to which he is being unfaithful but is portrayed as having no faults. He is forever honorable in the eyes of the protagonist. What grounds does the protagonist have to believe that any character is interested I her for anything other than physical pleasure? Is this the ultimate relationship for which she has searched. The impact of Geisha on the families of the men that do frequent geisha houses is barely explored and this is a fault. Does our protagonist geisha who is so caring not consider the position of the wife? The book in no way compares to Wild Swans or any of the strong books based on Asian culture. It does, however enlighten the reader about the culture of Geisha, and provide some good entertainment.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Must Read for All Ethnic Backgrounds
Review: I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. This book shows us that slavery is not just middle passage. Once you read this book no matter what your views of a Geisha girl were be it: Prostitute, Artist or Entertainer, the bottom line is the struggles they go through whether sold into it or born into the life of a Geisha it is a form of slavery. This book truly opened my eyes and I have the utmost respect for the few remaining Geisha that continue to entertain in a standard few can touch. I was amazed at how Arthur actually made you feel each characters sorrows and joys. Excellent book.
Rating: 
Summary: This Is Probably The Best Book I Have Ever Read!
Review: I have read many books about culture but this tops every one that I have read. I have never known that it was so hard to be a geisha, having to go through all that training, suffering, backstabbing, love, lust, respect and the war. Having to portray a different personality in front of others is a really hard thing to do. This book has made me understand not only the culture of Japan but also the true life of a geisha.
Rating:
Summary: Understanding My Own Culture
Review: As a Japanese woman who lives in NY, I was about to search Sayuri's footsteps. I couldn't believe the story was a fiction, however it taught me my own culture which I never knew or thought about. As I read along, I could relate myself to Sayuri. Even though I am here in US, I still live with Japanese culture when I have a dinner with Japanese men. We, as women, are still expected to serve drinks to them. To have witty conversation is considerably good not only your daily routine work. Followed by Karaoke is often required after dinner. In 90's, an ordinary girl entertains men. You can see a scene like this anywhere whether if it's in NY or Tokyo. The culture didn't change, but the players. The book was written so poetic as if Sayuri was really telling her story. Her pain, feelings and emotions were so real, I almost could feel it for myself. It also well described how seniors petrify juniors such as Hatsumomo's meanness towards Sayuri. Every details w! as so familiar to me. The book definitely gave me an inspiration and confirm my own identity. I still cannot get over the fact that Sayuri was a fictional figure, but I am glad the book was written and widely read to many Americans and/or Westerners to have better understanding of Geisha and Japan.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully unique
Review: This was a wonderfully unique reading that kept me on edge most of the time. The subject matter as well as the history left me hungry for more. Already head first into Eastern literature this was certainly a tantilizing taste (even if it did come from a Westerner). What does this say to us feminists? How accurate is this, I ask myself?
Rating:
Summary: An interesting look at the lifestyle and culture of a Geisha
Review: I enjoyed this book after I got into it, but it started kind of slow. For anyone interested in how a Geisha lived in Japan during the 30's and 40's, this book really gives you the flavor of that lifestyle. The ending was quite abrupt and unexpected, but overall a book worth reading. Hard to believe it was written by an American male.
Rating:
Summary: Vivid, beautiful, and captivating
Review: I couldn't put the book down and stayed up all night to finish this masterpiece. I felt terribly sad at the end at the thought that Nitta Sayuri is a fictional character. Golden portrayed her life so vividly that it's hard for me to imagine her stories and experiences are not true. The only complaint that I have is that the ending seemed a bit rushed and abrupt. Perhaps I just didn't want the story to end.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing and Informative
Review: Not only is this book a fabulous story, it is full of educational information. As most westerners, I'm sure, do, I always thought a Geisha was a prostitute. This book cleared that up fast! It also taught a lot of Japanese customs and history. The story itself was captivating and I didn't want it to end. The only loose end that I wish they had tied up, was with regards to her sister.
Rating:
Summary: Review
Review: I truly enjoyed this book and watching the road Sayuri's life took. It was beautifully written and did wrap me up completely in the world of Gion. It was very contradictory of Golden, however, to so eloquently talk about fate and the hard life of a geisha and then give us such a slapped-on... ending. Sayuri learns as she grows up that the life of a geisha is to be full of disappointments and few choices of her own...Golden needn't have added such a glamorous ending, Hollywood will do it for him when the movie comes out!
Rating:
Summary: Hypnotic and sweeping, it will captivate you
Review: A lovely, complex, and engaging tale which was never dense or dull and often extremely moving. Though Golden's specialty is the small details in each scene, they come together to tell a story whose momentum is powerful; I found this hard to put down!
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