Rating: 
Summary: A total page turner
Review: As you read, more and more, this book sucks you in. You become Sayuri, smiling during times of joy and feeling pain during adversity. It's astonishing that this is the author's first novel- i can't wait until the next one.
Rating:
Summary: it seems frighteningly real
Review: My mother is from Kyoto and always told me stories about geishas. She told me how they walk, what classes they take, what they do...This book brought back lots of memories. I recommend this book because most of the situations that are told in the novel is true. I like this book because for one thing, the author clearly did his homework and did it well. Secondly, it doesn't have all these silly sex parts in it like those romance books that are without depth. I recomend this book because I can visualize everything that is written clearly...Just as if my mother was telling me about geishas again.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking.....
Review: A book like this only comes around once in a life time. Sayuri's story is something I now find myself thinking about all the time. This book made me laugh and cry, and it's made me think. I am now reading it for the third time. It is the type of book you do not get tired of reading. It sucks you into her story and when you are done, leaves you craving more. A book like this is to be celebrated. Mr. Golden has captured Sayuri's soul and made you beleave that she is dancing around you, watching as you read his book. Mr Golden is a true master, and I wish him much success in his next book.
Rating:
Summary: The Chairman and Matsushita Konosuke
Review: Much has already been written about this perceptive insight into an aspect of Japan about which little is known in the West. Today I wish to touch upon another interesting aspect of the novel about which nothing has been said to the best of my knowledge. Apologies if that is not the case. I read the interview with Arthur Golden by Amazon after reading the book. I do take issue with statement made in that interview that all the characters in the book are based on fiction.Any student of Japanese business will be familiar with the story of Konosuke Matushita the founder of the National Panasonic group, known formally as Matsushita Electric Industries. Those of you who have done your homework will be aware that Matsushita started his company by developing a new type of socket after working for Osaka Light. After the war National Panasonic was classified as a zaibatsu by the occupation forces just as Iwamura Electric was. Similarly, the occupation forces after much lobbying from Matsushita and co agreeded to reclassify the company and thus ensured its longevity following the war. This part of National Panasonic's history is almost identical to the story of Iwamura Electric, also an Osaka based company. Golden has altered the birthdates, the chairman is born in 1890 rather than 1894 and married in 1912 rather than 1915. The other interesting fact about Matsushita is that he had a child by his mistress a widely known fact about which little is written. On this particular issue I am unable to comment on whether the mistress was a geisha and later lived in New York. Perhaps I should do some asking around. For those of you in doubt about the parallels between the Chairman of Iwamura Electric and Matsushita Konosuke of Matsushita Electric Industries I suggest you read John Kotter's book "Matsushita Leadership" and see for yourselves. None of this detracts from Arthur Golden's novel which as I stated above is an excellent account of a subject about which little is known. I would i! nvite the author to elaborate on his use of real figures in his novel and open up the story to readers who are not as familiar with Japan as I am.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the best "Japan" novel I've read.
Review: For a first time novel, "Geisha" is fantastic. Golden's attention to detail and research of the subject really shows through. I really found it hard to put down once I started. I've read all of Clavell and Laura Joh Rowland's "Shinju" and this one is my favorite "Japan tale". The only negative to the book is the ending. It's a bit too contrived as Golden seemed to be at a loss for how to end the story. If Golden's second novel (if there will be one) is as good as his first, I'm hooked.
Rating: 
Summary: A fast, interesting read but the romance was too "formula"
Review: At first I loved "Memoirs". I could not put it down and found myself sneaking time to finish it in at all hours of the day. I found the view of Japanese geisha culture fascinating. The more I read, however, the more I felt that if the setting were less exotic that it would read like a formula Harelequin romance. The characters were either good or bad: the antagonist was all evil, and the heroine had all positive qualities, yet faced hardship and roadblocks to her eventual success. I prefer a book where the reader has to struggle a bit more, since in real life, most people aren't either all good or all bad. A great summer read nonetheless.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book with living breathing charactors
Review: I picked up this book at the library, just because it sounded interesting. Now having read it I have to buy it. I felt drawn to Sayuri. Her life became my own for the time that I was reading. The only complaint is that I didn't get to see enough of Pumpkin. Hope the author has more great books under his sleeve.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent look into an exotic career!
Review: "Memoirs of a Geisha" is a complete look into the life of a girl as she climbs the ladder of success in the Gion district of pre-war Kyoto and the decline of this ornate profession during WWII. Although a novel, the information is accurate and the settings are well researched. A tale of heartbreak, joy, love and deep devotion are set within a lifestyle that few "outsiders" will ever know. This book is a must for anyone interested in Japanese culture and history. I was sorry to reach the last page!!
Rating:
Summary: yes, Virginia, history can be fun!
Review: I have been yearning for an historical novel that has the perfect blend of fact, fantasy and fun. This really fills the bill. Eastern culture is such a mystery to so many of us and this book truly brings our common humanity to light.
Rating:
Summary: The Perils of Pauline in a Kimono
Review: Although I read this book for 3 nights straight, and finished it, I was very disappointed. Since this was a "memoir," I expected the character to speak to us from the perspective of someone who was looking back at their life. All the characters were so two dimensional and we never really got into the heart of any of them. Great descriptions of clothing, hairstyles and locations, but I found little which took me into the soul of the geisha life. A good book for vaction reading, but I certainly would not call it any kind of a great novel.
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