Read as part of The Infinite Variety Reading Challenge, based on the BBC's Big Read Poll of 2003.

There's absolutely nothing positive to say about this book. So, let's directly jump into why it was so dreadfully bad.

The narrative was simply unbelievable. I don't mean the kind of unbelievable that makes you gasp in shock. Instead, it was so unconvincing that it was truly dire. At no point did it feel like a real woman, a Geisha, a girl, or a human being was sharing a story with me. It was flat, boring, and my goodness, the main character was incredibly tedious. She had the emotional range equivalent to that of an egg.

The world description was virtually non-existent. The beginning, set in the Japanese countryside, was the only somewhat descriptive part. We had a lovely house and beautiful scenery. But then, once we moved to Tokyo, everything suddenly became just grey and stony, and that was it. Strangely, it was also devoid of people. There was no atmosphere, no city scenery to speak of. It was, at best, extremely vague. It could have just as easily been happening in a fish factory.

There also needs to be an amendment to the Bechdel Test. 3.1: Two women have a conversation about something that isn't just bitching about other women.

And while I don't believe that "culture" automatically means we should forgive everything, and I understand that it was a different time and place, I really don't want to read about creepy old men obsessing over pubic hair growing on twelve-year-olds' vaginas. I just don't.

I know this is probably the most unhinged and incoherent review ever, but I also didn't find myself learning anything particularly meaningful about Geisha. In fact, I would agree with most other reviewers and say that it was far too Westernized and almost romanticized.

Fun Fact Amendment: All Geisha were originally men. Think about that.

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This is such a beautiful and mesmerising story!

Arthur Golden has truly outdone himself in painting a vivid and remarkable picture of the mysterious world of geisha. It's no wonder it took him a full six years to pen this masterpiece.

Although the language might verge on being a bit too dramatic in certain parts, I still found the story to be highly believable.

The fact that this book has generated so much buzz and excitement is no accident. It has clearly struck a chord with readers around the world, captivating them with its richly detailed portrayal of a bygone era and the complex lives of its characters.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Japanese culture, history, or simply a good story. It's a must-read that will leave you spellbound from beginning to end.

A pleasing mix of Great Expectations and Little Orphan Annie, yet all jumbled up within the context of Japanese Geisha society.

Full disclosure: Like numerous westerners, I held the belief that geisha were a more refined version of prostitutes. Sophisticated, talented, and extremely highly priced - but prostitutes nonetheless.

Golden's book has provided me with some knowledge, and I now understand that this is not the whole story... except, well... there are still certain elements of prostitution within the narrative. The fictional geisha, who serves as the first-person narrator, describes her role as being akin to that of a mistress rather than a wife, with formal rules that mostly establish a connection between a geisha and her "danna" or patron. It's all very complex, and I never fully grasped what was happening. To be fair, it seems that the intricate etiquette rules also baffle many Japanese people.

My typical genre of choice is science fiction/fantasy, so this was quite a departure for me. However, to be honest, the description of Japanese culture, particularly Geisha culture, might as well have been something concocted by Jack Vance or Robert Silverberg, as it was so foreign to me.

Golden presents the "memoirs" of a fictional geisha, Sayuri, and her rise to the role of geisha in a bildungsroman style. We also experience Sayuri's animosity towards the rival geisha Hatsumomo and her complex relationships with patrons and sponsors.

Entertaining and thought-provoking, this book also offers insights into a specific time and place, namely Japan before, during, and after WWII.

A girl with beautiful translucent gray eyes, the intrigues of an okiya, and a famous geisha who will do everything possible to destroy her.

In Yoroido, in the 1930s. When Chiyo's mother is on the verge of death, her father sells her and her sister Satsu as he cannot afford to support them. The girls are separated upon arriving in Gion, and Chiyo is forced to grow up in an okiya, a geisha house, where the main protagonist, Hatsumomo, makes her life impossible as soon as she arrives. Separated, the girl tries to find her sister while surviving the traps set by Hatsumomo, her training as a geisha apprentice, and the difficult life away from her family.

Arthur Golden transports us to the fascinating world of Japan and the geishas, where appearances are of the utmost importance, as well as the virginity of the girls, who are trained in the art of entertaining and seducing powerful men to be maintained and rise in the social scale. A novel narrated by an elderly Chiyo who tells us about her life. A story full of love, suspense, and eroticism, whose main themes are power, sacrifice, war, poverty, prostitution, sex, survival, betrayal, and money.

✔️ Strengths: the descriptions and the immersive setting and portrayal of Japanese culture, the well-developed characters (such as the protagonist Chiyo and her "older sister" Mahema), the intrigues of the plot, a captivating story, the growing tension, the relationships between the characters, the twists, and the emotionality of the reading.

❤ You will like it if: you are looking for a historical read set in Japan, in the world of the geishas or during World War II.

Undoubtedly, one of my best readings was "Memoirs of a Geisha", not only because of the impact this reading had on me, but also because of the knowledge it brought me about Japanese culture. I learned a great deal.

Basically, it tells the story of Sayuri who, in 1929, due to the poverty and precarious health of her parents, is sold at a very young age (9 years old), along with her sister, to an Okiya (geisha house) in Kyoto. However, upon arriving in Kyoto, she is separated from her sister and sets off alone to live in that Okiya. There, she goes through all kinds of trials and humiliations in an attempt to become a famous geisha. She has to endure Hatsumomo, a famous geisha who lives in the Okiya and sees Sayuri as a real threat to her reign and then begins to practice all possible acts of meanness against her.

The plot of the book is basically this: Sayuri's search for success as a geisha, helped by some and hindered by others, mainly by Hatsumomo, her trainings in search of perfection through dance, music, wearing her kimono, and applying makeup. But there are wonderful characters like the Chairman who helps her in a moment of despair when she was still very young, stealing her heart. There is also Nobu, a war survivor with great physical scars who also falls in love with Sayuri. We also have Mameha, a very famous geisha who assists Sayuri in her arduous path to becoming a geisha. In short, there are other characters such as Dr. Crab, a geisha they call Pumpkin, there is also the Baron, in short, a range of unforgettable characters.

Another thing that caught my attention is the underworld that surrounds the world of geishas, such as the war between them to succeed, the merely financial interests of the owners of the Okiya, the sale of the virginity of geishas to whoever offers the highest bid as if it were an auction, rich, famous and married men who seek geishas to satisfy their sexual desires. In short, it's all appearances, love is an illusion, and this really angered me. As I already mentioned, it was an excellent reading, I loved this book, a masterpiece by Arthur Golden, who studied the world of geishas very well and presented us with this book, which in part can be a historical book, and in part a fairy tale and also a horror book!

I truly loved the book and the beautiful writing within it. The words seemed to flow like a gentle river, captivating my attention from the very beginning. However, there was this one aspect of it that I passionately disliked.

I find it extremely difficult to explain this feeling as I myself don't fully understand it. But I know for sure that it definitely hindered my ability to enjoy the book to the fullest.

Moreover, I was somewhat taken aback by my sheer dislike for Sayuri. I have this strange feeling that I might be the only one who actively disliked her to such an extent. There were several moments throughout the story where I felt so infuriated by her. Her selfishness was truly unbearable at times. She seemed to only think about herself and her own desires, without any regard for others.

Her utter lack of loyalty was also a major turn-off for me. I couldn't trust her character and it made it hard for me to connect with her on any level. And don't even get me started on her self-importance. She always thought she was better than everyone else, which just made me roll my eyes.

In conclusion, despite my initial love for the book and its writing, these aspects really dampened my overall experience.

I vividly remember watching the film during my second or third year of high school for a movie review. However, I could barely recall what had happened in it. So, I finally decided to pick up the book that had been sitting on my shelf for over three years.

I didn't anticipate liking it as historical fiction wasn't my typical genre of choice. But to my surprise, I found it truly refreshing. The premise of this book is both compelling and beautiful. I was instantly hooked from the very beginning and couldn't seem to stop reading. The story chronicles the journey of Nitta Sayuri/Chiyo as she becomes a Geisha. She hails from a small town in Japan and comes from a less fortunate family. Her mother falls ill, and her father is too old to support her and her sister, Satsu. They are offered to a businessman and have no choice but to take the sisters to Kyoto, where they must seek the great opportunity of becoming a Geisha or an entertainer.

What Chiyo endures during the course of her training to be a Geisha is extremely difficult and harsh. Hatsumomo, a Geisha in the okiya, makes her life a living hell because she is a failed Geisha and is insecure about Chiyo's beauty. Despite all the hardships, Chiyo perseveres and survives. She is rewarded with many things and eventually surpasses Hatsumomo. Thanks to Mameha for training her to be a refined, beautiful, and well-mannered woman.

Getting to know the Japanese culture through this book is quite challenging, but I love how Arthur Golden meticulously explains such details, which keeps me utterly fascinated. It was a wonderful historical fiction to explore. The "mizuage" (a deflowering ceremony) really shocked me in some ways. It was almost unbelievable. There is also a little love story in this book that I enjoyed as well.

Overall, it's a great historical fiction. It's nice to explore something different from my usual tastes and discover new and interesting stories.

A Cinderella romance that unexpectedly swept me away!

"Memoirs of a Geisha" is an exquisitely picturesque and highly dramatic tale. It tells the story of a young village girl who is torn away from her family and raised in Kyoto as a geisha.

Usually, I'm not one to go in for romance. Don't misunderstand me; I truly love love. However, I have a preference for my love stories to be based on truth. There is an indescribable power in real love. As far as I can tell, a significant portion of this story is founded on the actual events of the life of former geisha Mineko Iwasaki. Why do I believe this? She sued Golden for defamation of character. Evidently, he included details that she had shared with him during their interviews and which were not intended for publication. Well, that's sufficient for me!

I was completely dazzled by the intricate details and charmed by the well-paced plot. It may not be to everyone's taste, but if you enjoyed the movie version, you won't be disappointed by the book, given that the two are largely identical in most aspects.

Around the time I read "Memoirs...", I had the opportunity to visit Kyoto. Like many tourists, I made it a point to seek out the Gion District. The preservation of this area makes the effort and cost of traveling to Japan worthwhile. With its narrow streets that are almost medieval in nature, the main historical road is a sight to behold. The architecture and decor seem to be frozen in time, and the occasional geisha can be seen shuffling to and from buildings. I highly recommend a visit. Go when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Go and witness a tea ceremony. Just go. You'll be glad you did.

In a small Japanese fishing village of Yoroido, on the coast of the Sea of Japan, a 9-year-old child named Chiyo Sakamoto lives with her ancient father, dying mother, and older sister Satsu in a dilapidated home that leans over a cliff. In 1929, times are tough and about to get even harder as the Great Depression is set to commence.

The impoverished family is in desperate need of help, and as a result, the two sisters are sold. Pretty Chiyo, with her beautiful eyes, is destined to become a geisha after a long apprenticeship, while the unlucky and plain Satsu is sold into a life of being an abused prostitute.

In the former royal capital of Kyoto, in the section called Gion where most geisha live and in a house that never truly feels like a home, the scared girl is under the complete control of three money-hungry women. There's Granny, who seems to have coins in her heart, the matriarch. Then there's Mother, the real boss, and Auntie. They both love nicknames and are as unfeeling as Granny.

The only genuine geisha in residence is the stunning Hatsumomo, who is as beautiful as she is detestable. She takes an odd, instant hatred to the little girl and torments her nonstop. One day, while doing an errand, the child starts crying in the streets. Her miserable life seems to have no joy. But then, a man known as the chairman, the owner of an important electronics business, stops and comforts Chiyo, leaving her his monogrammed handkerchief. It becomes the most prized possession the girl has. At last, someone cares, and she falls in love, a love that will remain forever.

After an aborted escape attempt with her sister, Chiyo falls from the roof of a neighbor's house and injures herself. Things become even more dismal as she is demoted to a lowly maid in the house. She can no longer go to school to learn her profession, much to the elation of the cruel Hatsumomo.

Still, life is cloudy and unpredictable. Even the fortune-tellers that the geisha often visit can't predict accurately. Then, the most successful, glamorous, and admired geisha in Kyoto, Mameha, becomes her "Big Sister," a mentor who can help any woman rise to the top. It's all so strange. Later, her name is changed to "Sayuri." She returns to school, becomes a fine dancer, and does a solo at the annual celebrations in the local theater. Her poster is painted by a famous alcoholic artist in town, and her career prospers.

However, the chairman, whom Sayuri constantly meets in the tea house parties (where the men get drunk on Sake, listen to stories, watch the singing, dancing, and music played by the geisha), is rather distant and doesn't recognize the grown-up woman. Gruff Nobu, scarred and disabled in a war, the chairman's best friend and second-in-command at the electronics firm, likes Chiyo/Sayuri. But his love can never interfere as he has too much respect for his colleague, and they are so close. It's a sad and hopeless situation for Chiyo/Sayuri.

The years roll by, and war is on the horizon. Change is coming, as it always does. The now renowned geisha awaits. The most famous, popular geisha Mineko Iwasaki, now retired (one of the characters is based on her in the novel), greatly helped Mr. Arthur Golden in his research. She revealed to him in confidence the secrets of the mysterious life of these women for the first time, though she later regretted it.

Brilliant, nuanced, and startlingly complex - that's the impression this book leaves. I initially thought it would merely be about women performing intricate dances and ceremonies. Oh, how wrong I was! It has so much more to offer.

The story it tells is both heart wrenching and gorgeous. I found myself devouring all 400+ pages during a weekend trip in the mountains of New Hampshire, just a few weeks before my own trip to Japan. I'm truly glad I chose this book beforehand. Arthur Golden, as far as I can tell, only wrote one work of fiction (this one), but that doesn't diminish the impact his prose and story had on the literary world, at least in the West (I'm not sure how it was actually received in Japan).

Historical fiction authors often make the mistake of focusing too much on settings and events, neglecting a crucial part of the story - the character, and lacking inventive and smooth prose. Golden is guilty of neither. He paints a rich story that reads more like the autobiography of the protagonist Chiyo than a typical novel. At times, I even forgot that this was fiction. Such is the power of the story in Memoirs of a Geisha.

Also, Hatsumomo, the story's villain, might just be one of my favorite antagonists ever. Once you understand the tragic societal factors that led to her position in life, you'll realize that life is never that simple. This is a lesson that Golden drives home repeatedly in this wonderful book.

I watched her film.

It is based on the real life of a geisha in Japan.

Geishas don't live for themselves but live to amuse men.

Geishas are trained for this since childhood.

They learn to play musical instruments, dance, and have proper etiquette and social skills.

And all of these are for attracting the attention and bringing pleasure to men.

At the end of the film, some bitter words are said:

She colors her face to hide her true self.

Her eyes are like a deep pool of water.

A geisha has no right to want anything.

A geisha should not have emotions.

A geisha is an artist in this floating world.

She dances, plays music, and provides entertainment.

No matter what you want.

The rest of her is just a shadow, just a dream.

This book is not the story of an emperor or a queen.

But it is a different kind of story.

Chiyo and her sister, Satsu, reside in the charming fishing village of Yoroido, located on the coastal area of Japan. Their father, unfortunately, hands them over to Mr. Tanaka Ichiro. Mr. Tanaka sells Satsu into a brothel and Chiyo into a geisha house. Satsu manages to escape, but the nine-year-old Chiyo is unable to do so. Due to Chiyo's attempt to flee with her sister, she is demoted to a maid for a period of two years.

Life within the okiya (geisha house) proves to be arduous. Hatsumomo, a geisha dwelling in the okiya, is both cruel and manipulative. She tells lies and distorts events, causing Chiyo to get into trouble. Fortunately for Chiyo, Mameha, another geisha, takes an interest in her. Mameha becomes Chiyo's older sister. Soon, Chiyo's training as a geisha commences, and her name will be changed to Sayuri.

I found this novel to be truly intriguing and captivating. I halted the description to avoid spoiling the book for future readers. Chiyo/Sayuri's journey compels the reader to keep turning the pages to uncover what occurs next. I can tell you that the ending is perfect for this story. It is extremely satisfying. I am planning to rent the movie next. I can't wait to compare it to the book. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to those who are interested in the life of a geisha. The story reads as if it were an autobiography. It is difficult to remember that it is fictional. Happy reading!