Memoirs of a Geisha

Rating:
Summary: I love this book!
Review: Arthur Golden transported me to another time and
place. It was hard to believe that a man
wrote this book. It was beautifully written I
really enjoyed all his detail and metaphors.
I couldn't put it down. Recommended!

Rating:
Summary: wonderful!!
Review: I don't know how one Western man could capture all the facets of a geisha's life, but this author did it beautifully. I feel as though I have been a part of the main character's life.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful travel experience without leaving home.
Review: I was so absorbed in this book that even after I finished reading it, I continue to think about the story. My brother was in Japan after the war as a service man in the Army, so it had special meaning to me. I have arranged the Japanese art in my home to remind me of this beautiful story. I did not want it to end. I liked the surprise of the Chairman knowing all through the years who Sayuri was. Please write more books, Mr. Golden.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Read For Anyone Interested in Japan
Review: I travel constantly to the Orient and spend several weeks in Japan every year. I am fasinated with this remarkable country - its people, its history, and its culture. This novel was a pure delight for anyone who is interested in Japan, has ever traveled there, or is just looking for some exceptional literature. Mr. Golden has written a remarkable book that is certainly worthy of its critical acclaim.

Rating:
Summary: What about the rest of Asia?
Review: I truly enjoyed reading the book in part because of the author's genuine interest in Japanese culture and the effort to transmit the culture to English readers; however, the use of "Sea of Japah" is incorrect in chapter 1. The correct name for the body of water is the "Eastern Sea" in Chinese characters, as proven by histocial Korean maps. This name is another one of the distortions of history committed by the Japanese during the occupation of Korea. Also, this book made me feel again that most Westerners' interest in Asian culture is concentrated either in the Japanese or Chinese culture. What about Korean culture which value scholarship and faithfulness more than anything else and has a deeper, calmer philosphy with much more graceful traditional architecture,dress, and way of life?

Rating:
Summary: My most fascinating read of the year
Review: This is not my usual style of book at all, and in fact I've never been interested in Japanese culture. But I was so swept away by this book and the lifestyle depicted that I couldn't get anything else done! I was afraid for the ending, because of the other customer reviews saying it was a letdown -- and I'm known to hate good books if they have awful endings. But I thought the ending was fine, and in fact, not a letdown at all! I would recommend this book to anyone.

Rating:
Summary: A Story that stays with you.
Review: There are only a few books that hold you from page one; this is one of those books. I found that when I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it. Mr. Golden has written a story that is so sensitive and insightful I felt I was reading a story written by a woman. Rich descriptions of the world around the main character are very nicely written. If you liked the English Patient you'll like Memoirs of a Geisha.

Rating:
Summary: SO WELL WRITTEN I THOUGHT IT WAS A BIOGRAPHY.
Review: THIS IS A MUST READ FOR ANYONE INTERESTED IN THIS ASPECT OF ASIAN CULTURE AND PRE-WW2 LIFE IN JAPAN. WRITTEN BY A MAN WITH A REMARKABLY FEMININE SENSIBILITY.

Rating:
Summary: Swept away
Review: Arthur Golden...all I want to know is...when is the next book coming out? Memoirs fully captivated me and did what any fine novel is supposed to do - take you away completely to another land, another time. I had stopped hoping years ago that any novel could possibly sweep me away as Shogun once did...this one did, and then some. It contains the cultural depth/magic AND a personal element that I've always craved in a novel. Couldn't recommend it enough.

Rating:
Summary: A gem of a book, despite the silly ending.
Review: I have to say, I agree with other reviewers who couldn't put this book down. I was under pressure to make Xmas cookies and wrap gifts, but instead I spent an entire weekend immersed in Japanese culture. I thought the idea of a fictional "Memoir" was terrific - and I actually thought the Translator's Notes added to the whole. Many great authors of the past have done such things in an attempt to draw the reader deeper into a chosen world(for example, the foreword to Lolita, where Nabokov says the book could not have been written were the protagonists still alive). Clearly, this is a work of fiction - I mean, where did you find it on the shelf? So get over your idea that this somehow belittles "real" memoirs and enjoy the artifice, just another detail in a richly layered narrative. I think Golden's voice is terrific, literary, compelling and very feminine. As others have said, the ending is a bit of a letdown. But, with a ride like this - who cares if the end is bumpy? Enjoy it for what it is, an evocative description of a place and time we will never get to enjoy first-hand. Thanks Mr. Golden!