I don't understand why some people are all up in arms with this book. Who cares if a male author wrote it - yes, she was a geisha but that does not automatically throw her into the category of the stereotypical submissive Asian female. Arthur Golden gave her a powerful voice and had her tell a colorful and compelling story. I found the movie disappointing and a disgrace to the book.
284 reviews7 followers
July 8, 2010
Since I was a teenager I have come across a lot vague references having to do with Geishas, but none have given a clear picture about what these entertainment women are all about. Memoires of a Geisha gives a clear picture about the life of a Geisha, although I felt that there were some subtleties that were left out, including some of the seduction trades that make Geisha so fascinating. Although this book is written by a man [and sometimes that shows through in the way our main character's thoughts are explained to us, too directly, as if some femenine grace is somehow still lacking] the world of Geisha, a world ruled by women, is perfectly laid out for us. Mr. Golden writes poetry in his prose, painting pictures that are so vivid to read that weeks later one can still bring them to mind. Here is one example: "I was very much like my mother...My mother said it was because we were made just the same, she and I - and that was true we both had the same peculiar eyes of a sort you almost never see in Japan. Instead of being dark brown like everyone else's, my mother's eyes were a translucent gray, and mine are just the same. When I was very young I told my mother I thought someone had poked a whole in her eyes and all the ink had drained out- which she thought very funny". Wow! What powers of description! Here is another one, my favorite: "Waiting patiently doesn't suit you, I can see you have a great deal of water in your personality. Water never waits. It changes shape and flows around things, and finds the secret paths no one else has thought about-the tiny hole through the roof, or the bottom of a box. There is no doubt it is the most versatile of the five elements. It can wash away earth; it can put out fire;it can wear a piece of metal down and sweep it away. Even wood, which is its natural complement, can't survive without being nurtured by water, and yet you haven't drawn on those in living your life, have you?" "Well actually ma'am, water flowing was what gave me the idea of escaping over the roof"." I am sure you are a clever girl, Chiyo, but I don't think that was your cleverest moment. Those of us with water in our personalities don't pick where we'll flow to. All we can do is flow where the landscape of our life carries us." "I suppose I am like a river that has come up against a dam, and that dam is Hatsumomo.""Yes, probably that is true, she said, looking at me calmly. But rivers sometimes wash dams away." If only I had known all these years that little secret of the elements that flow inside us! How much more easily I could have grasped personalities and relationships. Never the less, I would like to now learn more about how to use this philosophy in my life... Here is a little more on that: "During the final years of the war, I'd learn to stop wondering what was meant to be and what wasn't. I'd often said to the women of the neighborhood that I wasn't sure if I'd go back to Gion- but the truth is I'd always known I would. My destiny, whatever it was, awaited me there. In these years away, I'd learn to suspend all the water in my personality by turning it to ice, you might say. Only by stopping the natural flow of my thoughts in this way could I bear the waiting. Now to hear Nobu refer to my destiny...Well I felt he'd shattered the ice inside me and awakened my desires once again." How passionate and beguiling! The author's words carry with them a flint spark that ignites a smoldering longing inside me and I ponder on the beauty of the written words. Need I say more? [434 pgs]
japanese-culture
59 reviews
June 24, 2009
I read this version of Memoirs of a Geisha because I had heard mixed reviews on the full book. This is an abridged version and lacks in some of the details from the longer version. I think that I may still read the longer one now that I have read this version. I felt like I was missing some things but I feel that for an abridged story, this is great! It may be awhile before I pick up the longer version though as I think I need some time to forget this version in order to appreciate the longer one.
29 reviews4 followers
April 18, 2014
Memoirs of a Geisha follows Sayuri, a girl sold into a geisha home after her parent's unfortunate financial and medical situation leave them with counted time and no future for their daughters. Sayiri's sister is sold into a brothel, whilst she struggles with her spiteful caretakers in Gion. Great story that also made a wonderful movie.
125 reviews2 followers
March 8, 2007
As everyone has pointed out, so so much better than the movie.
109 reviews
December 18, 2011
Whatever our struggles, and whether we sink or swim, our world is no more permanent then a wave rising on the ocean.
16 reviews12 followers
January 21, 2021
I was the movie first. It was so culturally rich. I was scared to try book thinking it might be slow like most classics. But I was amazed to find it even more beautiful than the movie. It was worth reading.
4 reviews
June 26, 2017
Reading the novel "Memoirs of a Geisha" [Golden, 2008], after watching film of the same name, I was deeply moved by the movie because of the beautiful Japanese classical culture, so I wanted to learn more through the novel. The first time I read it, I was a high school student, and I have not been to Japan yet. After visiting Japan, I read this novel again. This book does not really describe the oriental emotions and beauty because the author is an American. I think this is more like a novel on how to transition from being a newbie to becoming an expert in the workplace. The novel's description of the feelings of the characters is very little or is not vivid, full of mutual use of the relationship. But if the story applied to the workplace and life, there are some truths that are interlinked content: Sayuri and Hatsumomo, similar to competitors, if you want to beat the opponent's approach, you have to make yourself stronger than your enemy. Sayuri and the men she entertains, conduct their relationships like business sales, they use each other, not real love. Sayuri and the geisha mother are like employees and bosses, in order to get the opportunity for a promotion, you must first bring benefits to the company. So, I have a neutral attitude towards this book. This is suitable when you’re bored and you want something easy to read. But if you want to know more about the real Japanese geisha culture, it is recommended to choose the Japanese writer's literary works; since this book is more of an American perspective of interpreting geisha civilization.
12 reviews
April 5, 2014
a cinderella-type of story combined with mulan's drive to stand above the pressure of living a maid for her whole life or be a full-fledged geisha: memoirs of a geisha drew me into the enchanting world of geisha. and while sayuri strove her very best to keep up with the tsunami of events in her life, circumstances always lead her to chairman iwamoto. and while it was a sad love story [geisha are not allowed to love], the two characters found a way to be with each other despite the norms society had set for them [iwamoto was not sayuri's danna, but he risked keeping her anyway..he didnt care if sayuri's original danna [dr crab] or chairman nobu will get angry.] the story is as enchanting as the setting of the story itself, like cherry blossoms spurt out in every word describing the geisha's elegance.
August 14, 2009
This is a book well worth the read. First of all, it's written by a man who magically captures the heart, mind, soul and sensibilities of a woman...quite a feat. Beautifully written, heart-wrenching at the same time as historically fascinating. Time very well spent and much is learned in the reading.
131 reviews2 followers
February 18, 2016
Fantastic. Takes you inside the guarded and oft misunderstood world of Japan's geishas. Great story, vivid images. I lived in Japan and felt the descriptions of Kyoto were very accurate. Highly recommended.
19 reviews1 follower
April 12, 2007
Great story, the movie didn't capture the essence.
18 reviews
May 27, 2007
Interesting story. It allows us to get a glimpse of a different culture.
9 reviews
August 14, 2009
What an interesting study of a bygone era in a culture of which I am still learning...
14 reviews
March 16, 2022
It's a great amazing book and I loved to read it, except for the last 50 pages that completely ruined it . It left such a bad aftertaste in my mouth that I'm only giving it 3 stars, even though the first 400 or so pages are 5 stars. It's a story about a geisha who rose to popularity because of bad twist that's exposed at the end of the book. The first part is really well-written, and I especially liked the child-like happiness and hope that gets quickly killed. There were some translation things that jumped out to me, like the repeated use of "presently" or a word that means that that took away from the writing, but there was much less of it as the story goes on.
67 reviews
January 12, 2022
Immersive but pointless [which I think is the point...]
1st off, if you're worried about reading it like I was because it might contain sexual abuse, there is one scene of touching without consent [but it doesn't go too far or graphic], and "medical" examinations to be approved as a geisha.
2nd, the method of telling the story in an interview fashion is fun.
Ok, actual review. I expected a lot more intrigue or politics of being a geisha to the most powerful men in Japan, but it was more so about a young woman dealing with competition of other geisha and pining over a man we don't really know/care for. Not the storyline I really wanted. The conclusion is disappointing for both you and the narrator which made me feel like it was less worth reading.
I didn't fact check, but the details about the rules of being a geisha were very interesting [but spread throughout the novel].
28 reviews
January 6, 2021
I read this book years ago and loved it. It gives a glimpse of what it’s like to be a geisha, and the circumstances under which a Japanese girl might find herself becoming one. Also a glimpse into Japanese culture. I found it illuminating how even despite the cultural differences between American and Japanese girls and women, there are striking similarities in how they relate to one another; loyal friends, competitors, gossips, enemies, and frenemies. A truth: In the end, knowledge can be the most valuable power.
Is Memoirs of a Geisha worth reading?
Memoirs of A Geisha can be described as one word; "masterpiece." Each detail creates an unexplainable imagine and you can envision yourself in the story. The author tells her story willingly and purposely allows the reader to put themselves in her shoes as she tells you about each step of her journey through life.
Is Memoirs of a Geisha historically correct?
Since its publication, Memoirs has been criticized for an Orientalist and historically inaccurate depiction of geisha—particularly by Mineko Iwasaki, a real former geisha whom Golden interviewed when writing the novel.
What is the point of Memoirs of a Geisha?
Memoirs of a Geisha is a historical fiction novel by American author Arthur Golden, published in 1997. The novel, told in first person perspective, tells the story of Nitta Sayuri and the many trials she faces on the path to becoming and working as a geisha in Kyoto, Japan, before, during and after World War II.
What is the content warning in Memoirs of a Geisha book?
Violent Content Much of the violence in Memoirs of a Geisha involves the volatile Hatsumomo. Twice she throws things, and once she shoves Pumpkin to the floor. She picks a fight with Sayuri that results in the two trading blows and rolling on the floor.