I really loved the romantic parts of this book. They were so enchanting and made my heart flutter. However, I couldn't help but wish that there were more of those wonderful moments.

On the other hand, I have to admit that I found this book to be rather long. There were some parts that were really boring and seemed to drag on forever. It was a bit of a struggle to get through those sections.

But despite these drawbacks, overall I really enjoyed reading this book. It gave me a fascinating insight into the world of geishas. Now I finally know what an geisha is and have a better understanding of their culture and traditions.

It was an interesting and educational read, and I'm glad I took the time to pick up this book.

4.5 stars

This novel is an extremely rich and captivating piece of literature. It is filled with a diverse cast of characters, each of whom represents a distinct aspect and attitude of human nature.

Despite its considerable length, I never found it boring. On the contrary, the book's length effectively builds anticipation for the end, resulting in a greater sense of satisfaction upon completion.

Some people may view certain elements of the novel as insulting to women. However, it's important to remember that this is a work of fiction and not a reflection of the author's personal beliefs.

Personally, I had a soft spot for Hatsumomo. I felt a sense of sadness for her at the end. She added a certain flavor to the story, making it more engaging.

The ages of the characters throughout the novel are a bit peculiar. Additionally, the age difference between Sauyri and the chairman, if calculated by the readers, is quite significant.

The author's writing style is charming and seems to be influenced by the meticulous nature of the Japanese.

I truly wish I had read this novel before watching the movie. Now that I'm reading it, I'm looking forward to watching the movie again after I finish.

I don't really know why I waited so long to read this book.

And I most certainly never thought I would enjoy it as much as I did.

Of course I realize this story is historical fiction and may not correctly depict the life of a geisha during the 1930s and 1940s in Japan in its entirety.

I do feel, however, that I know quite a bit more about the geisha than I did before reading this book - both because of the book itself and of it inspiring me to research a little on my own.

My heart was absolutely broken for Sayuri (Chiyo) almost from the get-go.

I cannot even begin to fathom how desperate a parent would have to be to sell his or her children into the life of slavery.

You may argue that the geisha were not slaves, but when you have absolutely no other choice, you are a slave at least to your circumstances.

The women of the okiya were so horrible to Sayuri.

I understand they also led terrible lives, but that does not excuse cruelty toward a child.

I did have to confront my distaste of polygamy in this book.

To my understanding, Japanese marriages, at least during this time period, were mostly arranged among the upper class.

They didn't marry for love.

I still couldn't help feeling sorry for the wives of the men who were patrons of the geisha.

I can only imagine how hurt I would feel if my husband became the danna of another woman.

I would feel betrayed at the very least.

While I did very much want Sayuri and the Chairman to end up together, him being married was a hard pill to swallow.

My heart was also absolutely broken for Nobu.

I felt that he did truly love Sayuri, and while she shouldn't have been with him if she didn't truly love him in return, I was simply saddened at the cruelty of life for him.

He seemed to be a good man with good intentions.

He deserved to be loved by someone with the same depth he was capable of loving.

Memoirs of a Geisha is an absolutely amazing novel that delves deep into the life of a Geisha, a unique Japanese artist-entertainer. The very exotic setting, with its extremely different value system, and the fascinating plot that grabs your interest from the very beginning and keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting for more, all contribute to making this novel a truly special book worthy of reading.

In my opinion, the best quality of this novel lies in the way the narrator, Chiyo, tells the story. Her reflections on many of the events in the novel are very similar to those of the reader. At least for me, I felt a strong connection with her and could approve of, even if I didn't always agree with, many of her actions. The pain she suffered is vividly depicted in the novel, and we almost start to feel that pain along with her. We often share the same surprises with her regarding the different things a geisha should or should not do, and even share in the pleasures of success, despite the fact that most of us may despise the geisha way of life.

Imagine being a slave, sold by your own family and trained solely for the purpose of pleasuring men, whether you like it or not. I know I couldn't even begin to fathom living such a life. Yet, at some point, you find yourself happy that Chiyo succeeded in becoming a geisha. If that's an indication of anything, it's a testament to the skills of the author.

They say a geisha is no prostitute, and perhaps that may be true. However, as the story truly shows, the main revenue for a successful geisha comes through sex. To me, sex for money, no matter how much you try to sugarcoat it, is still some form of prostitution.

I don't like what Chiyo did with Nobu, but I can understand her perspective. Our emotions are not necessarily influenced by how other people treat us, but rather by how we feel about their behavior. In my opinion, the chairman was much more of the Chiyo type than Nobu, and her dedication to reach him amazes me, although not the methods she used to achieve it after her desperation.

The destruction of Hatsumomo was, in my view, the brightest point in the story. I feel that the story and the geisha life changed forever after the Second World War. So, Chiyo, or any other geisha at that time for that matter, could not have been more successful after the war, nor could the story have been more enjoyable.

Yet, another bright point was the encounter with the Chairman. Since Pumpkin caused the Chairman to run into Chiyo and the Minister, I knew that the Chairman and Chiyo were going to have a future together. In fact, when Iwamura Electric called for Chiyo to the Ichiriki Teahouse, I correctly guessed that Nobu wouldn't be there, but the Chairman.

The most disappointing thing in this novel, in my opinion, is the way the author talked about the US. If the novel had been about any other place than his own country, this might have been more tolerable. But when an American author, writing a novel that takes place mostly in Japan, makes the main character fall in love with the US and talks about it as if it were a much better country than Japan, there is something wrong. Unless, and I truly hope this is the case, he did this mainly because the actual geisha upon whom he based his novel had described it to him in that way. Then perhaps I could accept it.

Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha transports readers to Japan, spanning from The Great Depression to just after World War II.

A young girl named Chiyo leaves her small town in Yoroido and embarks on a journey to the big city with the aspiration of becoming a geisha. However, her path is not without challenges. Chiyo deeply misses her family, and an older geisha is hell-bent on destroying her.

One fateful day, a man notices Chiyo crying in the streets, which serves as a catalyst for her transformation into Sayuri, a remarkable geisha. But the question remains: Will Sayuri have a happy ending?

Memoirs of a Geisha is this month’s May Readalong, and my feelings towards this book are rather mixed. Firstly, the pace is excruciatingly slow. Ordinarily, this would be a drawback, but in the context of a month-long readalong with in-depth discussions, it proves to be somewhat fitting.

The most captivating aspect of the book is the intense gamesmanship between the warring geisha. Mameha and Sayuri find themselves pitted against Hatsumomo. Mameha is a master at gracefully extricating herself from situations, much like a true chess player, always several steps ahead in her thinking.

I also derived great pleasure from learning more about the world of geisha. These women are not merely entertainers; they are highly skilled in conversation, singing, dancing, and playing the samisen, a musical instrument. Additionally, there are specific hairstyles and clothing that signify different stages in the life of a geisha.

Now, onto the less favorable aspects. Memoirs of a Geisha has one of the most disappointing endings I have ever encountered. It lacks coherence and, after such a long and drawn-out narrative, the ending feels extremely rushed.

By the end of the book, I find myself with more questions than when I began. Each of the geisha could have easily warranted their own book, and I can’t help but feel that some of the characters, such as Sayuri’s sister, were left somewhat unfinished.

And then there is the truly concerning issue. I was curious to know if Memoirs of a Geisha was based on a true story. In the acknowledgements, Arthur Golden thanks Mineko Iwasaki, a real geisha. However, Iwasaki spoke to Golden on the condition of anonymity. She alleges that the book is her life’s story, but Golden falsely sexualized it. Two years later, an out-of-court settlement was reached.

Overall, while this book is great for引发讨论, it has left me with a rather queasy feeling. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Readalong! See you in June for Little Women!

2025 Reading Schedule

Jan\\tA Town Like Alice

Feb\\tBirdsong

Mar\\tCaptain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Berniere

Apr\\tWar and Peace

May\\tThe Woman in White

Jun\\tAtonement

Jul\\tThe Shadow of the Wind

Aug\\tJude the Obscure

Sep\\tUlysses

Oct\\tVanity Fair

Nov\\tA Fine Balance

Dec\\tGerminal

Connect With Me!

Blog Twitter BookTube Insta My Bookstore at Pango

Memoirs of a Geisha is an American novel that attempts to explore the complex and delicate world of the geisha. It is both compelling and interesting, yet also heavy-handed and ultimately ineffective, especially in the case of the film adaptation. For the uninitiated Western reader, it serves as a wonderful introduction to geisha, Japanese culture, and the East. However, for those already familiar with the culture, the Western influences are all too clear, making the book seem a bit clunky and imperfect.

One of the main issues I had with the book was the general perception of the characters by readers compared to the way they were actually portrayed. Memoirs is far from the good-willed fairy tale that people assume it to be. Additionally, the rushed end of the book, the inconsistent portrayal of Sayuri as a virtuous character when she often acts in her own self-interest and at the expense of others, and the perpetuation of Hatsumomo as unjustifiably cruel when she has valid reasons for her actions, all contributed to my overall disappointment.

Another problem I noticed was Golden's attempt to write from within the geisha culture as a Japanese woman. While he has clearly done his research and is well-educated on the subject, his attempt to mimic the Japanese style is not entirely successful. The emphasis on certain elements, such as beauty, wood, water, kimono, and haiku, is too prevalent and obvious, as if he is trying too hard to call attention to the Japanese style of the text. This ultimately detracts from the sincerity of the novel.

Despite these flaws, Memoirs is still a compelling read that goes quickly and can be enjoyed by many. However, it is important for readers to keep in mind that it is a work of historical fiction and not an accurate representation of Japanese culture. We should look for a true understanding of Japanese culture within Japanese culture itself and take Memoirs with a grain of salt. While it may be a fun or good book, it is an imperfect Western attempt to capture the essence of the East.

I don't know what to make of this one.

I really liked the writing style. The author seemed to have a certain flair for words that made it quite engaging to read.

However, when it came to the story, I found it to be just okay. It wasn't that it was a bad story per se, but it was rather hard to get through.

The main issue for me was the excessive sexualization of everything. It felt like it was being forced in at every turn, and it started to become a bit too much.

Apparently, the author made a lot of things up? Well, ¯\\\\_ಠ_ಠ_/¯ I'm not sure how I feel about that. On one hand, it could add an element of creativity and imagination to the story. But on the other hand, it might also make it seem less believable or authentic.

Overall, I'm kind of on the fence about this one. I liked some aspects of it, but there were also some things that really turned me off.

Stilul este foarte dificil.

În plus, mai multe aspecte ori nu au fost clarificate, ori nu am fost suficient de atent pentru a înțelege ce vrea Golden să demonstreze.

"Uneori, în viață întâlnim lucruri pe care nu le înțelegem pentru că nu am mai văzut niciodată ceva asemănător."

Noi, oamenii, suntem doar o mică parte din ceva mult mai mare. Mergând, putem strivi un gândac sau putem crea un curent de aer care să facă o gâză să ajungă într-un loc unde altfel n-ar fi ajuns. Dacă ne gândim la acest exemplu, dar cu noi în rol de insectă și universul în rolul nostru, devine evident că suntem zilnic afectați de forțe asupra cărora nu avem mai mult control decât are bietul gândac asupra piciorului uriaș care-l calcă.

Ceea ce putem face este să folosim orice metodă pentru a înțelege mișcările universului și să ne planificăm acțiunile astfel încât să nu luptăm împotriva curentului, ci să ne lăsăm ajutați de el.

"Apa nu așteaptă niciodată. Își schimbă forma, curge pe lângă obstacole și găsește calea secretă la care nimeni nu s-a gândit - spărtura minusculă din acoperiș sau din podea. Fără îndoială, e cel mai versatil dintre cele cinci elemente. Poate spăla pământul, poate stinge focul, poate subția metalul. Nici măcar lemnul, care e complementul ei natural, nu poate supraviețui fără apă."

Durerea e un lucru foarte ciudat. Suntem atât de neputincioși în fața ei. E ca o fereastră care se deschide când vrea ea. Camera se răcește și nu putem decât să tremurăm. Dar de fiecare dată se deschide mai puțin și mai puțin, până când, într-o zi, ne întrebăm ce s-a întâmplat cu ea.

Wow!

Rereading this, I'm truly realizing just how messed up this actually is.

It's quite astonishing to see the depth of the chaos and complexity within these pages.

However, despite all of that, yes, this is still my favorite book.

There's something about it that keeps drawing me back, something that makes it impossible for me to let go.

Maybe it's the unique characters, or the unpredictable plot twists.

Or perhaps it's the way the author has managed to create such a vivid and engaging world.

Whatever the reason, this book holds a special place in my heart and I know it always will.

I can't wait to see what new discoveries and insights I'll have on my next reading.

It's like a never-ending adventure that I'm always eager to embark on.

I got tricked into thinking this actually was Chiyo's biography. I read the preface by the imaginary professor matter of factly, not giving much thought to it. Of course, the idea of reading an autobiography sparked my excitement. I liked the prose. The part of the book in which Chiyo was not yet abducted stood out and "felt" Japanese.

However, what quickly brought me back on the right track again was the formulaic style. Chiyo's life consisted of a little too many Cinderella ingredients to not make me doubt her existence. For example, her brief encounter as a child with the Chairman and the way this affected her for the rest of her life didn't seem very likable and appeared purely added for romantic 'it's fate' impact. Then there was Hatsumoto's limitless - evil stepmother! - hatred for what was in the beginning hardly more than a poor little girl from the countryside. You'd think a woman in her position would choose her battles in the snake pit that comes with the profession more wisely.

It was the ending though that bothered me most. Golden either became bored or felt his publisher breathing in his neck and thus tried to wrap up the story quickly. It showed. The final pages were hardly worth reading. Also, this book could've been so much more intense if Golden had avoided that sugary Hollywood ending.

But then...despite its flaws, this was one of those 'hard to put away' books. Geisha's in general are an intriguing - and dying - subgroup of Japanese culture, so it was interesting to read about their world: their habits, ceremonies and make-up rituals. Despite me being in no position to comment on the veracity of his research, the author offers nicely detailed descriptions that showcase a lot of research.

American author Arthur Golden, who studied Japanese art and history at Harvard and Columbia, conducted extensive research to pen this fictional account of the life of a geisha in Kyoto before, during, and after WW II.

The story offers a wealth of information about the era and the profession. Although the storyline is rather conventionally crafted, it unfolds beautifully. At the same time, the text is clearly aimed at a Western audience that desires both enchantment and entertainment. However, the combination of exoticism and a certain degree of kitsch is a bit questionable.

Our protagonist and first-person narrator is Sayuri, who, at the age of 9, is sold into slavery and forced to become a geisha. Her dream is not freedom but to be loved by the so-called chairman, a powerful, married businessman. Maybe it's unfair to frame the story in this way, as Sayuri grows up and must survive in a world where a woman living on her own terms seems fantastical. Still, there is a degree of romanticization of the "Pretty Woman" variety, but with an Eastern twist.

Then again, "Pretty Woman" is great fun and a classic, and so is this book. It certainly has its literary merits. Golden does an excellent job of illustrating life in Kyoto's geisha district, the dependence and fear associated with the job, and the focus on reputation and superficial traits. However, the novel never gets gritty. Even when Sayuri's virginity is auctioned off, the sex scene doesn't convey the trauma she experiences as she has to give her body to the highest bidder to clear her debt and due to custom. While the chairman is portrayed as a real romantic interest, he is more of a fantasy than a real character, a man Sayuri hardly knows and onto whom she projects her love (the ending makes the whole thing even more surreal). This remains a comfortable read, which isn't necessarily a plus considering what Sayuri endures.

We accompany Sayuri from her childhood in a fishing village through her training in Kyoto, learning about the occupation of a geisha and the course of history. Often, it's utterly fascinating to read. Golden interviewed several geisha for this novel, including Mineko Iwasaki, who later sued him for defamation and using confidential information (they settled out of court). The movie version of the book looks stunning and won three Oscars for Cinematography, Art Direction, and Costume Design.

So, all in all, this book has the flaws of a popular work that attempts to explain complex cultural phenomena to a broad audience. Nevertheless, it is still intelligent and highly enjoyable to read.

A beautiful and moving story, although it is long and full of details, yet these are interesting details, especially regarding the lifestyle of the geisha girls. The trained geisha is for dancing, serving tea and drinking, and the geisha becomes available to men for other services!. And the geisha becomes famous and her name and star rise high and she is in demand at parties when she has a dana who spends on her and thus becomes his lover. The meaning of the word geisha is arts, so the word geisha means the artist or the artisan. So the profession of the geisha is art, music, dance and entertainment of men.

A story about the physical and material slavery of women and the slavery of love to the heart and soul. Although the heroine of the story, Sayuri, was sold along with her sister to become a geisha, as is the case with most poor girls in Japan, yet love also enslaved her heart and feelings for years. You don't know if you pity her for the physical touch or for the emotional love that enslaved her!

The author's style is easy, smooth and elegant. His poetic description of the places and clothes, and the expression he painted for the faces and different human emotions formed a beautiful and unique picture that captivated me during reading.

A biography filled with sorrow, pain, hope, love, beauty and romance.

Quotes

“We live our lives like water flowing over the stones in one direction to a certain extent, until we encounter something that pushes us to find a new path.”

“How can we escape the latent sadness within us!”

“The most beautiful moments of life are when a person or an event passes through it, making one of our lives meaningful and proving that there is something else other than roughness in this world.”

“When one of us experiences a more exciting yesterday than others in his life, he mourns to see it end; yet he feels grateful that it happened.”

“When a woman walks, she must leave on those who see her the impression of the rippled waves on the sand.”

“Remember that the trained geisha who is about to get “married” becomes like the dish served on the table. And no man will want to eat it if he hears that another man has got a piece.”

“Sadness is a strange thing, and we have no trick to face it. It is simply like the window that is opened with all its will, and the cold will take over the room and be unable to stop shivering. And yet, the size of its opening shrinks again and again, until it becomes strange to us, to the point that we do not know it and wonder what happened to it.”

“Fate is not always like a party at the end of a certain night. And sometimes, it is nothing but a struggle in life from day to day.”

“We don't become geisha until our lives are miserable. We become geisha because there is no other choice for us.”

“It is painful to see our secrets revealed and suddenly lost.”

“The shopkeeper who leaves his window open has no right to be angry at the rain that may spoil his goods.”

“I do not seek to defeat the man I fight, but I seek to defeat his confidence. For the mind that is occupied with doubt cannot focus on victory.”

“I will remember you whenever I need to remember that there is beauty and goodness in the world.”

“Trials are like strong winds. I don't mean by that only that they prevent us from reaching the places we want, but they also tear apart all things except those that cannot be torn, until we see ourselves after that in our reality, not exactly as we wish it to be.”

“Now, I have fully realized that our world is no more stable than a wave rising in the sea. No matter how great our struggle or success is, and no matter what we have suffered because of it, soon all of it will disappear, just as the watercolor on the paper disappears.”