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Summary: Fascinating Glimpse into Another Culture
Review: Golden transports us into a culture few of us will ever truly understand in his debut novel. Impressive in its detail, Golden's greatest literary accomplishment is his ability to transform complex social situations into complete understanding and appreciation for a foreign culture. We learn, along with young Chiyo, the ins and outs of Japanese Geisha culture; the dos and donts, those with whom it is auspicious to associate, and the price at which anything, including one's innocence, may be sold. This is a must-read for those who have an interest in understanding other cultures. I had a hard time putting it down, and I read it while on my honeymoon! :)
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Summary: Lovely, poignant story of survival and devotion
Review: This story reads like a picture yet speaks from the heart. A young girls' story of survival and strength, which holds the reader like a warm glove. With a surprising twist of true love and devotion. A must read for anyone who wishes to leave their home temporarily and live with the geisha.
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Summary: A Great Read
Review: This book was one of the best books I have read in a long time. It reminded me why I like to read. The imagery invoked by the authors use of words was magical. I felt like I was in Japan growing up and watching her. I was disappointed when I quickly came to the end of the book. Recommended to anyone who likes to read.
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Summary: This is the best book that I read in 1997!
Review: The author's descriptions of pre-World War II Japanese society and the closed world of the geisha were so intricately interwoven in this captivating narrative that I was surprised to learn Golden is a male American. I see thousands of books daily at my library job and actually check-out and read scores of them--this is the best book of all from this year.
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Summary: A forbidden world unmasked....
Review: Arthur Golden lifts the veil of secrecy into the secret world of the geisha. Sayuri strikes a balance between being a traditional geisha and being a woman in control of her destiny. Whether it is outwitting her rivals, or finding her true love as her traditional society crumbles around her she triumphs. The sensuality and detail with which Mr. Golden writes, takes the reader into a world of which most westerners have no comprehension. I felt as though I lost a friend as I read the final page. I have recommended this book to everyone!
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Summary: What a great STORY, even when sick!
Review: I came down with the flu on New Years Day, but wasn't able to read this book for a few days. I'm glad I picked this up for a Christmas present for myself. A wonderful read, with historical facts woven through out the story. A worthwhile novel, with rare insight into the Japanese tradition of Geisha.
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Summary: A subtly insinuating story.
Review: Much like the Japenese culture itself, this book subtly reveals its charms. A fascinating journey to a time, place and lifestyle few Westerners ever know, Memoirs of a Geisha utterly transports. The level of detail is astounding, but never overwhelming -- and accurately creates the atmosphere and underlying tension of the era with lyrical prose. My only complaint is that the main character could have been more deeply drawn, but a minor quibble with what was otherwise a remarkable book.
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Summary: Gives Insight into a world mostly unknown in modern time
Review: The story of Sayuri was enchanting and compelling. I certainly learned more about the life of a geisha than I had ever imagined knowing. I read this book during a rough spot in my life, and it certainly gave me a lot to think about and reflect upon. There is commonality among us in every age and time, and this story is timely and well-told. I highly recommend this book to take you to another time and place. The perfect escape with a pleasing ending.
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Summary: I still hear her voice in my head.
Review: It's been several weeks since I finished Memoirs and I can still hear the Geisha's voice in my head. I can't believe she's a fictional character; I feel as though I've met her. I want to meet her! This is a lovely, lovely story -- not a novel, a story. Put it in your shopping cart; you won't be disappointed.
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Summary: Mecchakucha subarashii desu!!!!
Review: As I read Golden's very detailed descriptions of Kyoto I felt like I was transformed back to Kansai where I lived for some time. However, as much cultural and linguistic knowledge I had of Japan, I was like most Westerners in thinking that geisha were nothing more than high-class ladies of the night. Golden's novel and careful research completely dispels this image. His description of Sayuri and her life immediately drew me into the character and I felt that I completely understood her life and hardships in her quest to be come a geisha. The technical descriptions of kimono, mizuage, hairstyles, and the day-to-day life in the okiya are very accurate (as confirmed by my Japanese roomates). Golden's only fallacy in his novel is the convenient "storybook" ending. For an atypical book, an ending which illustrated how much Sayuri had grown in character and fortitude would have been more powerful. Golden's novel is unique in that not many books have been written about geisha and their private world. More importantly, an American male undertook the task of writing this remarkable story.
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