Rating:  Summary: Discouraging Review: As a Japanese woman in US, I have been asked about geisha forso many times. Everytime I try to explain geisha is not prostitute. Ihave read this book, and now heard that this will be a big motion picture by Spielberg, I feel so powerless. How could I convince people if what Sayuri and other geisha do in this story is just like those of prostitute? Yes, they went to school and learned many arts, but that just make these geisha looks like the prostitute with art degree. The author failed to show readers how these skilles and knowledge were utilized in their life. The author did a nice try to tackle with this sensitive subject, but PLEASE, fellow readers, read more books about Japan, look for other infomation in any means. Try some Japanese literature by Japanese author. This book is a real fiction, and you can't possibly see a true picture from only one fictional story.And this is not well-written even as a fiction.
Rating:  Summary: Ren's Review of Memoirs of a Geisha Review: This was one of the best books I have ever read in my life. It is about a young girl who grows up in a little fishing village in Japan with her family in a "tipsy" house. One day a man comes and buys the young girl and her sister from the father. The young girl is then sent off to be a geisha and the other girl is sent to a whore house. It is a very touching, descriptive account of what it is like to be a geisha. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read in the slightest.
Rating:  Summary: Memoirs of a Geisha Review: It is an excellent story and very hard to put down. A fast read because it is not very challenging. Although I enjoyed the book very much, I was disappointed by the ending.
Rating:  Summary: Yuch, what a waste of time. Review: The novel starts out as an enjoyable read, and it was very interesting--I couldn't put it down. Until I got about two-thirds of the way through, at which point it seemed to be penned by Danielle Steele. from the point when the war ended, and American troops went through Japan, smiling and giving out candy, the people realized the Americans weren't the bad people they were made out to be,(to paraphrase book). Ugh, I don't think people are so stupid that they can be won over by chocolate! From there, it turns into a Danielle Steele novel, pur formula, in which love conquers all and a penthouse in New York helps, too. It will make a great movie, I'm sure.
Rating:  Summary: phenomenal! Review: This book is so well-written,you feel what the characters feel. You are sensually awakened by the text of this book. As an avid reader, I can recommend this book as one of the best I have ever read;Memoirs of a Geisha reads well and is written beautifully. I cried at the end, not because it had a melancholic ending but because the book had ended. A fantastic read!
Rating:  Summary: An air of authenticity Review: As a novel, there is no question that "Memoirs" is extremely well-written, pursuasive and enjoyable. My opinion is that it is important to not confuse the feeling of authenticity with actual authenticity. Mineko Iwasaki's strong negative reaction to this book (which is based largely on the author's interviews with her) cannot be discounted out of hand.
Rating:  Summary: I could hardly put it down Review: Frankly, I don't read books for fun. One of my friend told me that this book is such a good book, and I started reading it without any expectations at all. It turned out that it is the first book that captured my mind, so I couldn't barely put it down. I was so amazed by the fact that I was READING because I was enjoying it. This book is not that deep or profound, but it certainly has its message, and gives u this fresh feeling after reading it.
Rating:  Summary: outstanding Review: in the book Memoirs of A Geisha Golden really reaches out to the depth of what a Geisha really is. It makes you understand and and explains everything so explicitly.
Rating:  Summary: Asian women Review: This story is not so much a romance as it is about a young girl finding her way in the world. Unfortunately, being orphaned and poor but possessing an astonishing beauty, she had the geisha lifestyle thrust upon her. The true tragedy of the entire is that in the patriarchial Japanese society, an intelligent, talented woman cannot amount to more. Indeed the most disturbing part was that the main character never seems to even want more or something different. (Part of the fatalism and stocism that characterizes Asian thinking?) I don't think being a legitimate Japanese wife is any better, it doesn't seem to me that they get treated any better either. Anyone want to tell me different?The roles and views of Asian women have got to change. We are not fantasy figures or play-things to bolster the egos of weak-minded men. But it has to start with the women themselves. They need to arm themselves with higher education and earn their economic independence and demand respect from their family and society. The value in stories like this is not so much that it 'takes us away to a magical land' but that it reminds us of a time that (hopefully) is past and should be kept in the past. As beautiful and haunting as the novel is, who really wants all that back? Your life's journey should be determined by you, not others.
Rating:  Summary: A great English book I've ever read! Review: This book is so amazing that I almost felt like the author must have a greater understanding about Japanese culture than I do as Japanese. Since English is my second lauguage, I thought it would be harder to read this in English. But I was totally wrong about it. Probably helped much by being Japanese and having knowledge and concept of old Japanese society, I didn't have any trouble to imagine the world the author tried to explain. As Japanese, I think this book is so impressive, fascinating, and very well-written based on thorough research. This book is enjoyable from the beginning to the end. I edmire the author's effort on his studies and research, and this is truly worth reading even to Japanese people!
|