Rating: 
Summary: Could have been better
Review: This book captured my attention right from the start. A truly eye-opening look into a world I know nothing about. I'd give it 5 stars if there was more focus of the details of the day to day existence of the geisha's life.
Rating: 
Summary: Not so "golden" ending ruined book
Review: ...In all honesty, I will admit I liked this book to a certain degree. Its detail regarding the life of a geisha was meticulous and interesting, whether or not it's entirely true-...-to a certain point. That's why it gets two stars. The loss otherwise comes as a direct result of its deterioration into a sleazy, dime-store romance novel in the last third or so of the book. Siyuri began as a marginally sympathetic character, even if she was infuriatingly weak, but declined into nothing more than a [prostitute]...I found her obsessive behavior regarding the Chairmain particularly pitiable, and when she [sold] herself to the Minister in order to rid herself of Nobu, in the hope of winning her childhood "hero," I literally threw the book across the room. My empathy for her had already been fading, and at that point, I no longer cared if she lived or died. In fact, I was hoping for the latter. Golden's weak, saccharine-coated "storybook" ending cheapened the entire book and frankly ruined it...It's the worst ending I've ever seen in ANY genre of fiction...
Rating: 
Summary: Review
Review: I couldn't tear myself away from this book! I'm serious, I really did like it. The story is so rich, and it's almost like you look at the world differently after you read it. I think that the most amazing thing about it is that although the story is fictional and was written by a man, it gets to the innermost part of this woman's soul. It's so realistic, and although everyone is different, I think that all of us could relate to it in one way or another. As my friend who recommended it to me once said, "It makes you cry and laugh and touches you in more ways than one."
Rating:
Summary: an excellent book!
Review: I've read Memoirs of A Geisha for two times and I'm now working on my 3rd round! This book has opened my eyes & lead me deep into the world of geisha. I would strongly recommend this book to those who are interested to learn about geisha (especially beginners).
The story begins with Chiyo, a poor country girl who grows up to be a geisha. This novel is character-driven as we see the gradual changes in Chiyo's character (soon changes to her geisha name, Sayuri). The character itself brings out the essence of the story and is worth burning the midnight lamp just to finish the whole book. However, it is a must that we realise this book is merely fiction and is just a representative of the true geisha life. The author may have altered facts in order to make the story interesting. But I tell you, it's worth reading it!! I would give this book a 6-star if I could.
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking
Review: Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Memoirs of a Geisha is the sort of story you want to savor. Some readers may have anticipated a super fast-paced book (which may have led to their disappointment), but the beauty of this story is that it takes its time, so that all of its splendor, sadness, and grace may sustain. Like the story, the main character, Sayuri, has understated charm. The story begins with her childhood (and her given name Chiyo) as she leads her ho-hum existence in a poor village in Japan. The novel progresses, of course, with her rise to becoming a Geisha. Memoirs covers nearly all of Sayuri's life, and by the last page, I really truly felt that I was THERE for the entire ride. The only disapointment about Memoirs is that it's fiction---the story was so believable, which simply recognizes the storytelling talent in author Golden. He intertwines fiction and history expertly in Memoirs, making it a truly memorable read.
Rating:
Summary: Page turner!
Review: I read this book in a week (with a 2 year old none the less). I could not put it down. I loved learning about the life of a geisha and all the traditions they had to follow. The character development is great! And the way Sayuri-san describes things around her I found to be hysterical... "Mayuri was being blown backward up the street a full block behind me, with her arms and legs flailing so much she looked like a bug on its back" (excerpt from page 177, paperback). I just finished it and have already recommended it to all my girlfriends.
Rating:
Summary: Enrapturing
Review: This was one of the better books I have read in a long time...
Rating: 
Summary: All right...
Review: The book was all right. It didn't appeal to me, that's all. Oriental culture isn't foreign to me. I am Chinese, I've seen Oriental culture, I'm nearly suffocating in it, etc. I personally think this book draws much of its charm from its exotic setting, much like pioneer novels did for East Coast city-dwellers when America was younger. But despite its exotic settings, the book keeps a distinctly Western flavor. It seemed like it looked at the geisha life through a Western-tinted lens of wonder--which is fine, really, but IMHO, it's lacking the "feeling" of Japan. It doesn't feel like Japan, it feels like a Japanese movie set built in Southern California. Otherwise, it's lovely. The writing is gorgeous and the character development especially is excellent. I'd still recommend it, just for a good and enjoyable read.
Rating:
Summary: Was expecting more
Review: This book was highly recommended by a few friends. It wasn't for me though. I normally read a book straight through. Thsi book I read a chapter and fall asleep. I did not care for the elaborate descriptions of the geisha outfits. It bored me. Also, I know this was froma time long ago but it seemed so redundant and I did not believe there was somuch drama. I was very disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Terrible
Review: I hated this book. Too much detail was given, not a very exciting story. This story could have been told in less than 200 pages. Also, it is mainly for women to read, I don't recommend it to males.
| 
