Memoirs of a Geisha

Rating:
Summary: Waste of time
Review: I thought this book was trite, contrived, and poorly written. Even though I am not very acquainted with things Japanese, it smelled false and exploitative to me.

I realize that it's difficult to "novelize" a cultural tradition--especially when it's targeted to readers outside of the native culture--but I think the author used every Western convention to make this book appeal, and therefore it suffers from a romance novel-type whitewash that, in the end, just doesn't ring true.

Read this if you want some mind candy. It works on that level. As something that might provide insight on Geisha history, it's pretty fishy.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Peek Into Another World
Review: This may be the most interesting book I've ever read. It is both titillating and moving. Every page is filled with information on the life of an old fashioned geisha. I couldn't put this book down. No matter who you are you can find something to enjoy in this book.

Rating:
Summary: So detailed you forget it's fiction
Review: Memoirs of a Geisha is filled with such detail, both historical and emotional, that I had to stop periodically and remind myself that it is fiction. Also, Golden's ability to tell the story from the standpoint of a Japanese woman in the early 20th Century is quite remarkable. He really makes you feel Sayuri's pleasure, pain and personal growth. An excellent read!!

Rating:
Summary: A Beautiful Tale
Review: The Memoirs of a Geisha is a mesmerizing tale of a women whose future is taken from her and is given a new destiny, an unknown and scary future fraught with harshness from the people as well as the beauty of the fight for survival and its success.

It is a tale of a young girl, Chiyo, who lives in a small remote fishing village. Chiyo is no ordinary Japanese girl. With her unusual blue gray eyes, they transport her to her true destiny.

Her mother is dying; her father is old and tired. When Chiyo and her sister's mother dies, they are sold into slavery by a wealthy man, Mr. Tanka, into a world of strictness and becoming the best. The goal: becoming and being a Geisha, a coveted role for only a select few. For Geishas are renowned and respected entertainers, from singing and dancing to expected prostitution.

In the beginning, Chiyo refuses to participate until a chance encounter with the Chairman. Because of this one man, Chiyo will strive to become the geisha known by all, Sayuri. The great Geisha of them all.

Along the way you'll meet various interesting, funny and mean characters, from Nabu-san to Pumpkin to Hatsumomo. Each giving and enriching the life and experiences of Sayuri.

Even though this is a story of fiction, every aspect of what a geisha is and does is absolutely true, thus; the story itself was truly believable. I flew threw the pages, Golden was able to flawlessly weave the story with the factual aspects so well, there wasn't even a visible touch. Give this GREAT book a chance, you won't be able to put it down.

Rating:
Summary: Beautifully written
Review: This book is absolutely amazing, it kept me enthralled from cover to cover. The thoughts of the young girl are so deep and personal, it's hard to believe it was written by a man.

Rating:
Summary: A Glimpse Into An Unknown Culture...
Review: The reason I title this review "A Glimpse Into An Unknown Culture" is that this is only one former Geisha's view. I have no reason to doubt any of what she says is true, but I would like to hear how other's that have been Geisha view their "unchosen" profession.

I enjoyed this book immensely as I knew absolutely nothing about the life of a Geisha. I had heard much about Geisha on American television and seen them mocked in many reruns of 50's & 60's sitcoms, but never having an understanding what purpose of the life of a Geisha took on.

The main function of a Geisha is to please men...period. To be a man's escort (even to the toilet) and to be his entertainment, drinking buddy, and livelihood at parties. And if he pays enough, to become his personal Geisha in the bedroom.

The main character and the person who is telling the story Sayuri, was sold into Geisha life. But according to her story there are those born into the life if their mothers were Geisha.

This story follows the life of Sayuri from the time she was nine years old when she and her sister were snatched from from their dying mother and spineless father, through Japanese Depression, World War II and the many perils of Sayuri's life that led her to the United States and the telling of this story. Sayuri was sold to 'Mother' the owner of the the 'Okiya' (name for home of Geisha's) and in this particular okiya lived a Geisha named Hatsumomo that viewed this nine year old child as a threat and made life pure hell for Sayuri. This was the beginning of a story that will not only give you insight to some basic Japanese culture, but basic human instincts. Is there always a right and a wrong. Do you always have a choice in how you live your life? These are some of the questions that you might ponder as you read 'Memoirs Of A Geisha'.

Rating:
Summary: Guilty Pleasures
Review: "Memoirs of a Geisha" is not the best book you will ever read, but it is the perfect book to read when you need a break from the intensity of thought-provoking books or contemporary and "witty" literature. The book flows and keeps even the most impatient readers interested. The best quality about this book is that it covers such a broad range of topics--drama, history, gender issues, sex, love, deceit, betrayal, family, hardships, disappointment, glamour, class, coming of age--it is a chick's novel for the girl who will refuses to be a girl and knowingly loves the book to death. It is a guaranteed good time.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: Thoroughly engaging historical novel (??) based on scholarly research and insights into Japanese culture you won't find anywhere. And you don't have to read it for all the interesting detail it contains-you can't help but read this book and learn what an erroneous stereotype most Westerners have of Geishas as some kind of prostitute-which, by the way, they are not.

A great read, one I couldn't put down!

Rating:
Summary: Don't buy this book.
Review: I usually try to refrain from buying a book when it's a bit too popular, and I should have followed my own guidelines this time. I'm very sorry but I just had to say that this was the most boring thing I've ever read in my entire life, and I read everything! I took it to the beach with me last year and it almost ruined my vacation it was so bad. There's no action, no sex, no character development, nothing happens, you don't find out any of the good stuff, please don't waste your money.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but not great
Review: Arthur Golden delivers a well researched readable first novel astounding in how well he captures the narative of a japanese woman.

That said, the phenomon that is this novel is hard to understand. While the character is interesting, she is far less so than the environment she inhabits. What makes the book worth while is not the main character but the way Golden introduces us to a world that had vannished in fire and smoke, leaving little more than a shadow of its former self.

For all of that praise, Golden too often makes the mistake of many first novelists by falling into tired cliche' and over used plot devices. It seems when ever he finds himself stuck, he falls back on a sort of Jackie Collins coincidence to keep the story moving. That is unfortunate, because it detracts greatly from what would have other wise been an extraordinary novel.