Memoirs of a Geisha

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Summary: Memoirs of a Geisha
Review: This is an incredible book! Written with a poetic style that flows from one page to the next (so that you can't put it down!), this is one of the most lyrical books I have ever read. The reader is caught up in the plights of Sayuri and her struggle between her two destinies. The book is so well written from the point of view of a geisha it is almost difficult that an American man wrote this. A great book!

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Summary: Memoirs of a Geisha Book Review
Review: MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

Author: Arthur Golden Review by: Kelly Shaughnessy

"It struck me that we - that moth and I - were two opposite extremes. My existence was as unstable as a stream, changing in every way; but the moth was like a piece of stone, changing not at all. While thinking this thought, I reached out a finger to feel the moth's velvety surface; but when I brushed it with my fingertip, it turned all at once into a pile of ash without even a sound, without even a moment in which I could see it crumbling." Page 107.

This passage is an example of the beautiful imagery and style of Arthur Golden's writing in Memoirs of a Geisha. In one passage alone, he has made you feel as though you could reach out and touch the moth, and at the same time has conveyed a deep meaning about this girl's life described in this scene. This type of writing is seen throughout the book, independent of the plot, which captures the reader's attention from the beginning to the end.

The plot of Memoirs of a Geisha involves the story of a young girl, Chiyo-san, who grew up on the countryside in Japan, and was tragically separated from her sister and her family. She was taken to be a maid in the big city of Kyoto, and although this work was hard, she was promised to be taught how to become a geisha one-day. This hope kept her spirit alive through much torture from the geisha she lived with, Hatsumomo. When she was finally allowed to train to become a geisha, she finds that it was not at all what she hoped it would be. She had to spend endless hours in teahouses entertaining men she didn't care for and pretend she was having the time of her life.

In plotting out this story, Golden wove in numerous symbols with different meanings, such as the handkerchief that was given to Chiyo by a chairman. This symbolized hope for her throughout the novel, and no matter what she encountered, she would look at the handkerchief and feel a little stronger. The moth in the above quote symbolized what Chiyo wanted her life to be like - containing stability and not uncertainty. Interpreting these different symbols is another intricate part of this novel, although they make it somewhat less believable that it was written by an old geisha.

This novel is written in first person, with Chiyo telling the story of her life. She gives accounts about her life and her place in the world that are vivid and realistic, although it is a little hard to believe that an old geisha is intelligent enough to write this novel. Still, the fact that this novel was, in fact, written by an American man (author Arthur Golden) is hard to swallow. Not only did he have to cross barriers about culture and race, but crossed an even greater barrier of gender so far as going into detail about Chiyo's first time with a man. Like many other geisha, she was auctioned off to the highest bidder for her virginity. There is also description about the large, twenty-foot long Kimono robes that the geisha were required to wear and the hairstyles that were so difficult to create that the women would have to keep them and not wash their hair for weeks at a time. These are just some of the many exciting parts of this novel that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Being captivated by the story, and yet learning lessons about life and culture at the same time are part of the beauty of Golden's novel. It will remove any ideas one might have about the so-called romantic life of a geisha, or other myths about these mysterious women. Although it could be argued that this novel drags along in some parts with so much detail and observation of every little thing, this is part of what makes it so captivating. All this detail could also have helped make it on the New York Times' "Best Seller's list", and on my personal favorites list.

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Summary: Memoirs Of a Geisha
Review: The book was great! It was one of the most inspirational books I have ever read. It was one of those books that you can't put down and just have to read and see what's going to happen next. I think the author did a great job describing where the main character was, so you felt like you were there too. It's stories about Japan's struggle during the war were incredible and seemed quite real. It was a great mixture of fact and fiction. It was as though you were seeing all the struggling and triumph with your own eyes. I would say that this book is a must have and if you don't have it all ready you should run out and buy it. The book is an instant classic. I really injoyed it.

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Summary: Reflections on Memoirs
Review: Memiors of a Geisha is a great read. It is the type of book you read and love, but also the type of book you give as a gift. I found Memoirs astonishing in its credibility. After the first few chapters, I completely forgot that it was a work of fiction. It was only when I finished the novel and was confronted with the picture of Arthur S. Golden on the back flap that I realize that I had not just finished an autobiography. Anyway, just wanted to add my two cents to the million other review of this book. =)

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Summary: Go Geisha Girl!
Review: I found it an enjoyable and fast read. I got a bit annoyed with it in the final third. I ascribe that to a sense that I was no longer "discovering" new things (all the facts about Geisha-dom, and Japanese society), but it was by then a much more conventional narrative.

I did find the language a little forced and what might be described as "literary" actually a bit pretentious in parts.

Nevertheless, I learned more about geisha-dom than I would have otherwide, and found the story, particularly in the early stages satisfying and engaging.

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Summary: A pocketful of sushi... to go.
Review: Like sushi, this book is foreign but delicate and sweet, leaving its delicate taste in your mouth long after its gone. And, like sushi, once you get started, you just can't get enough!

Golden's view of the world of the geisha draws us in with its intimate detail, but Golden never wallows in the landscape, preferring to focus on the women at the centre of his story, who are drawn both in graceful bold strokes and in elegant, satisfying detail.

After a debut like this, I'm very much looking forward to seeing what Golden can come up with next.

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Summary: It kept me busy for the whole weekend!??!!??
Review: I haven't been reading for ages but this book kept me glued to it for the whole weekend! It was helpful in providing an in-depth exploration of how geishas were groomed, how men were like through the depicting of the geishas'interesting liaison with different male clients and other issues. The ending was touching with subtleness, without being too melodramatic. I especially liked Arthur's use of the imagery of water (i.e. water flowing down the rocky edges before reaching the final point) being likened to the pathway of life i.e. one has to go through life's ups and downs.

This book's highly recommended for those who think that there's been too much hype over this book, for those who are willing to spare some time for a good read, and for those who doubt if they can finish this book because you will! ;p

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Summary: Underneath the Mask
Review: Arthur Golden's extraordinary novel, Memoirs of a Geisha, is quite a deceiving piece of literary work. After reading the book, the only thought in my head was my astonishment of how it could possibly be a work of fiction. Everything seems so real as Golden captures the essence of the the town of Kyoto pefectly through his amazing description, from the hem of a woman's kimono to the crash of the waves of the river against the bridge. The reader is magically transported into a new world of dancing, singing, and extravagant ceremonies o the most diligient of artisans: the geisha. Golden's extensive knowldege of the lifestyles of geisha allows the novel to flow easliy, as if spoken from the mouth of an actual geisha. It is the lifestyle that most do not get to taste, especially nowadays with its dying culture, but Golden opens a window and breaks the barrier of tongue, race, or sex, allowing one to learn the fascinating stories firsthand and walk behind the main character, Sayuri Sakamoto, through the entire novel. An amazing aspect of Memoirs of a Geisha was the wonderful selection of metaphors and similes that Golden had chosen to use. It seems as if each com parison was carefully selected, using the most interesting terms possible in order to create a vivid picture in the mind. The way Golden is able to capture a spectrum of different personalities, from her wistful childhood to her independent womanhood, within the same person also makes a lasting impact on the reader. As Sayuri grows and evolves, the reader feels as if he is as well, which has a remarkable effect ont he sense of attachment the reader feels to her. Almost anyone would thorougly enjoy this gem of a book, especially those readers that are searching for an original plot and want to experience a completely different kind of lifestyle. Through this one book alone, a person is able to transport themselves to Japan in the mid 1920's and live the enthralliong life of a geisha in order to find the beauty of a lost culture.

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Summary: a beautiful blend of fact and fiction ...
Review: "memoirs of a geisha" is a beautifully written novel which probably needs no introduction . but i can't resist giving one all the same .

set in japan during the 1930s and 1940s , it revolves around the life of sayuri , who is sold to a geisha house at the age of nine . the people she encounters , the life she endures , her feelings , the places she visits , and the various rituals she is made to perform . . . all are beautifully captured in this novel .

the most lively character is that of her arch-rival hatsumomo .

a lyrical novel filled with metaphors , drama , passion , hatred , love . . . the works ! it transports u to another world .

the only shortcoming is sayuri's love for "the chairman" which appears to be very hollow .

in short , a jewel of a book , to be hunted for and treasured .

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Summary: This is an informative and engrossing story
Review: If you've ever wondered what it is like to live the life of a geisha, this is the story to read. It is clear that the author did a great deal of research for this story. At times I had to remind myself that this was a work of fiction, because the story seemed so real. Sayuri, the main character, had so many struggles to overcome, but she handled everything that was thrown her way. I learned a great deal about the life of a geisha by reading this novel. I thought the author did a good job handling the love stories within the novel. I would highly recommend this book.