What a disappointment!

It's truly baffling why in most book reviews, only the marginal niche fans vote in large numbers, unfairly inflating the average score.

Unless, of course, it's the romantics who read diversely and, in their unbiased way, give the book four to five stars.

Even those who gave the same score as me must have done so for different reasons. Maybe the ending threw them off. Maybe I'll never know.

I'm left scratching my head as to why this book is considered the best historical fiction on this site.

I'll pool all my misgivings from the last third of the book in this paragraph.

Chiyo's outlook towards life is delusional, and her being united with her beau seems to vindicate it.

I wonder what friends I would have had if my life had been more successful.

Chiyo's memories of her past are very selective. Sometimes she wants to be a geisha, but anyway she has no choice.

Her heart breaks and reseals itself over her journey in becoming one.

Her infatuation with the Chairman and her laughable dressing of her repulsion to Nobu sums up the genre of romance.

The book is a complete mess in its themes.

The analogies and lesson-like counsel that passed for wisdom at the end made it all clear.

This book is just an escapist dream for delusional romantics of all genders and ages.

My reason for my score is mainly that at no point did the book reel me in. I was never hooked.

I have to consider Hatsumomo, the main archenemy for most of the book.

She is described as stupid but reveals herself as cunning, and the latter attribute is proved beyond doubt.

But her stupidity, abetted by drunkenness, only comes at the end.

This was a missed opportunity to develop a promising character.

When Hatsumomo mars a kimono belonging to her rival, it's almost an act of vandalism.

But we are never allowed to understand whether the act is 30% meanness and 70% stupidity, or vice versa, or some other combination.

I first intended to write more, but I want to put this book behind me quickly.

I want to make two points.

First, I knew that such a dishonest and cowardly book would turn the tragic Pumpkin into a mean-spirited person. I just knew it!

Her separation from Chiyo should have been temporary. Instead, she estranges herself from joy and purpose in life in the most random way.

She is very wimpy in her decision to "join the dark side." It's just not that convincing.

Maybe her scavenging act early on foreshadows what the author did with her, but it's not an excuse.

Second, the stupid and bizarre episode between Chiyo and the Baron.

It should have had consequences, but it seemed like the mother of all treaties had been signed between all parties.

Very inexplicable, but quite welcome.

It's an occurrence that made me distance myself from the narrator.

I don't have to be concerned with her when she invites trouble.

This book, if it were a flawed masterpiece and dealt with a genre I detest, would still have gotten more than two stars.

But at no point did Memoirs reach a pinnacle or peak of any sort.

No event was reciprocal, and there was no theme except a rags to riches story.

Nature was sometimes described richly, but new objects of unfamiliarity and technology were glossed over, which is fine as we're all aware of modern contrivances.

It's just that everything I've mentioned makes the narrator seem fake. It's really sad.

It means I'll never read this book again. Neither it nor I deserve it.

I read this book as part of the Goodreads' book club Diversity in All Forms!

If you're interested in joining the discussion, here's the link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

This is a captivating realistic-fiction story that delves into the world of geishas in Japan. The author has clearly done extensive research, as the book vividly details what their lives were like.

The book is truly excellent, painting a detailed picture of their everyday experiences. The whole purpose of a geisha was to be trained to charm and beguile the most powerful men. Their entire existence as a geisha revolved around being in the company of men.

It's a fascinating look into a unique and often misunderstood culture, and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about the world of geishas.

The world of Geisha is a mysterious and secluded one.

On the surface, it appears beautiful and luxurious, but beneath lies a core of pure hardship. Geisha are not allowed to love; they have no say in their fate, and their lives belong to the men they serve. They are not supposed to have emotions. The very term "geisha" means moving art, and that is all they are meant to be - not humans, but living paintings. Like sculptures, beautiful yet as cold as the stone from which they are made.

"Memoirs of a Geisha" is a book based on a true story that gives us a glimpse into this world where women paint their faces and are denied the right to love.

Set in 1920s Kyoto, Japan, a young girl named Chiyo lives with her sister Satsu in a poor town called Yoriodo, along with her sick mother and elderly father. Her father sells Chiyo and Satsu to Mr. Tanaka. Chiyo is chosen to become a Geisha because of her good looks and blue eyes, while Satsu is taken to a prostitution house. Chiyo is brought to the Nitta okiya to train as a Maiko. However, her training is interrupted when she breaks her leg trying to run away. She then learns that both her parents have died.

Chiyo meets the Chairman of Iwamura Electric Company and falls in love with him. She dedicates her life to becoming his danna. Hatsumomo, the lead Geisha in the okiya, is jealous of Chiyo and treats her poorly. The only kind person to Chiyo is Pumpkin, an aspiring Geisha of the same age.

Mameha, a renowned Geisha, offers to be Chiyo's onee-san and teaches her the secrets of becoming a great Geiko. Chiyo is now known as Sayuri. She meets Mameha's danna, the Baron, who takes an unusual interest in her. At the cherry blossom festival, he tries to force himself on her, but she manages to escape. However, rumors spread that she is no longer a virgin, and her debut as a Geisha is in jeopardy.

Despite the rumors, Sayuri manages to have a successful mizuage and becomes a Geisha. She is unexpectedly adopted by oka-san and becomes the head of the okiya. Pumpkin is devastated as this was her dream. Sayuri then obtains a danna, a general in the army whom she doesn't really like.

When war is declared on Japan, Sayuri's danna leaves to fight and is killed. Nobu, a patron and friend, takes Sayuri into hiding in northern Japan. Years later, he offers to become her danna. Sayuri, still in love with the Chairman, is conflicted.

To make peace, Sayuri and Pumpkin are asked to entertain an American general. Sayuri uses this opportunity to make Nobu hate her. However, things go wrong when Pumpkin brings the Chairman instead of Nobu. The Chairman sees Sayuri being intimate with the General and walks away.

Sayuri is heartbroken, believing she has lost the one she loves. But then, she is invited to a small gathering and is surprised to find the Chairman there. He confesses his love for her and offers to become her danna.

Although Sayuri loves the Chairman, she knows that a danna is not a husband. She moves to America due to a feud over the inheritance of Iwamura Electric Company. The Chairman visits her regularly.

The book ends with Sayuri reflecting on her life, saying that the day Mr. Tanaka took her away was both the worst and best day of her life. She realizes that life is impermanent and that all our struggles and triumphs will eventually fade away.

I highly recommend reading this book. It provides a fascinating look into a different world and makes us both admire and pity the Geisha. "Memoirs of a Geisha" is an empowering novel that everyone should read to appreciate what they have.

**"Memoirs of a Geisha": A Complex and Intriguing Read**

3.5 Stars - This is a great book that had its share of ups and downs for me. It took a few chapters to truly engage me in the story and with the characters. The opening was just fine, not really pulling me in strongly. The first three to four chapters could almost be described as mediocre, teetering on that edge.

There are various ways to draw a reader into a book, and for me, a connection to the characters is crucial. In the first few chapters here, I didn't feel that connection. I'm not sure why I continued reading, but I'm glad I did. As for the characters, there isn't one that I outright liked, but I didn't dislike or hate them all either (except for Hatsumomo and Mother, whom I despise). Sayuri isn't a perfect person, yet I found myself rooting for her, even when she made stupid mistakes. The problem with the characters, I think, is that the situations and the culture they are in are so different from what I'm used to reading. My reading experience has been mostly focused on the Western Hemisphere, and I realize I need to adapt my skills to better appreciate characters from other cultures. That said, the characters are impeccably written. I can see the skill in their creation, even if I don't like them as people. I do respect most of them.

Part of the issue was that the whole subject matter was new to me. I was so focused on understanding the Geisha experience and life that I overlooked some of the little things. So, a lot of the character "issue" is on me, but some can also be attributed to the author. One of the good aspects of the characters is their complex backstories. For most of them, I could sympathize or at least understand why they were the way they were. Sayuri's character development, for example, is fascinating to watch. Although I always felt a certain disconnect, I could relate to some of her feelings, which helped create a bond. The author also created a truly evil character in Hatsumomo. I know her circumstances may not have been kind, but I believe people have choices. She chose wrongly.

The writing is fine and suits the scenes well. The author uses beautiful, flowery language when needed for description and is concise when necessary. However, my main issue with the writing is the lack of proper paragraph breaks. It made reading some passages quite straining on the eyes. The ending came up very fast. When Sayuri and the Chairman finally "got together," there were only a few chapters left, and it was cut short by her move to New York. I understand the focus on her life as a Geisha, but I still felt short-changed as a reader. I wanted Sayuri and the Chairman to be together forever, even though the age difference was a bit off-putting. Overall, I can happily recommend this book. It's a great read, and even though I'm not sure I actually liked it, I appreciated it and the storyline.

I finally got around to reading this book!

It has been sitting in my bookcase for a long time, so I'm truly glad to say that I've now read it. I was almost afraid that it would disappoint me, but happily, it did not disappoint at all.

This novel is really quite remarkable. The story is told in such an exquisite style that it captivates your interest from the very beginning. The story is about the life of a Geisha named Chiyo. The setting in which the story takes place is beautiful, and I felt as if I was right there with Chiyo, experiencing her story. Japan has always held a great fascination for me, and this book has only made me want to learn more about it.

As a reader, I felt a certain connection to Chiyo, at least to some extent. Many of the choices she made or was forced to make, I could relate to, even if I didn't necessarily agree with them. When she felt pain, the narration was written in such a way that as the reader, you could vividly feel that pain too.

The life of a Geisha really intrigues me, and this book has further fueled that interest. I simply cannot imagine what it would be like to be sold as a slave by one's own family, only to be trained to live a life of pleasing men. Just thinking about it sends shivers down my spine.

I do have a disagreement with the idea that a Geisha is not classed as a prostitute. That may be the perception through their eyes, but a Geisha's main source of income comes from having sex. I believe that sex, especially when it involves any form of payment, is a form of prostitution.

The ending of the story I found to be rather sudden, and I didn't feel completely satisfied when I closed the book. I think I still have a few questions that will remain unanswered. Overall, though, it remains an outstanding book, and I can understand why it is such a classic.

A beautiful and poignant story awaits within the pages of this remarkable work. From the very first word, you are irresistibly seduced by its incredibly lyrically captivating nature. It is an absolute masterpiece, with each page overflowing with a plethora of beautiful, sensual, and evocative images.

Golden's writing is of such remarkable skill and authority that one feels as if they have spent hours in the company of the most gifted of all Geisha, being thoroughly entertained. The experience is utterly satisfying, leaving you with an insatiable desire to read it again, as if for the very first time.

This story has the power to transport you to another world, to make you feel a gamut of emotions, and to leave an indelible mark on your heart and soul. It is a must-read for anyone who appreciates the beauty and artistry of fine literature.

A beautiful story unfolds, delving into the secret world of the Japanese geisha. If you hold the misconception that geisha are prostitutes, this book is a must-read to correct that assumption. It is told in the style of an interview with a woman named Sayuri Nitta, who was once one of the most renowned geisha in Kyoto.

The story is filled with captivating details. My favorite aspects were the intricate descriptions of geisha beauty rituals. They wax their hair and sleep with their necks on wooden blocks to preserve their hairstyles. The traditions are equally fascinating. When a geisha leaves her okiya, or geisha house, a spark is struck against her back for good luck. The depictions of the kimono worn by Sayuri and the other geisha are simply gorgeous.

However, there was one part of the book that didn't quite resonate with me. Sayuri's constant adoration of a man known only as the Chairman seemed a bit over the top. She meets him when she's eight, and because he's kind to her and buys her a flavored ice, she decides to become a geisha just to see him again. It's hard to believe the depth of her love, especially considering the Chairman was around forty at the time. I just couldn't fathom an eight-year-old girl falling in love with a man more than thirty years her senior.

UPDATE: I wrote this review in high school, not fully understanding the writing process of this book. It turns out Arthur Golden didn't do much actual research and had a tendency to make things up. This book apparently angered a real geisha so much that she wrote her own book in response.

I'm writing this update because today in literature class, we discussed how we mainly read British and American books. One girl mentioned how she used to only read American books until she read Memoirs of a Geisha and it opened her eyes to other cultures. Everyone looked at her as if she had said that watching The Godfather helped her understand Italian history.

In conclusion, don't expect historical accuracy from this story. It's still an engaging tale, but not necessarily a factual one. Consider it as fiction, and you'll enjoy it just fine.

The world is as transient as a wave cresting on the ocean. No matter what our struggles and victories are, and however we encounter or endure them, they all too quickly fade away, just like watery ink on paper.

This is a historical account of a young Japanese girl and the numerous trials and tribulations she experiences on her journey to becoming and working as a geisha.

The novel mainly focuses on the hardships and challenges that Chiyo Sakamoto has to face from a very young age of 8 - 9. The narrative is captivating, the story is engaging, and it transports you to a different era and place (of course, with the good imagination that we readers have). However, this is a rather long book (longer than most), consisting of over 500 pages, and it took a significant amount of time to complete. In the first 100 - 150 pages or so, the pace was a bit slow, but it eventually picked up speed towards the latter half.

Overall, I would say it is a remarkable piece of work that vividly evokes a bygone world in great detail. And once again, like many historical fiction novels that highlight the struggles of a woman or girl, "Memoirs of Geisha" also does the same through great imaginative empathy.

This book is yet another example of the indomitable spirit of a woman. Even after being constantly tormented and unbearably suppressed, a woman can hold her ground. Not only can she stand firm, but she can also make her way through with great determination! The vitality of a woman's spirit, as portrayed in the book, is truly praiseworthy and shows how incredibly resilient a woman can be.

I am now looking forward to watching the 2005 movie adaptation. I read that the movie was nominated for 6 Academy Awards and won 3 of them, which makes me even more excited to see it.

Regarding the rating, I would round off my 3.75 stars to 4! (again emphasizing the need for a decimal rating system on GR, haha!).

If I hadn't paid for it, I would not have read it.

Although historical fiction is not a genre I normally read or enjoy, I had high expectations for this book. I was curious to see if it could break the mold and capture my interest.

Despite the controversy surrounding it, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a captivating read that held my attention from start to finish.

It took me a long time to read and annotate it. I wanted to fully understand the story and the characters.

I felt a strong connection with the characters. They seemed so real and their emotions were palpable.

The author's writing style was fantastic. It was engaging and descriptive, painting a vivid picture in my mind.

The characters were given more depth, which made them even more interesting.

The story's pace, which was languid at times, docked one star. It could have been a bit more fast-paced in some parts.

Overall, this was a fantastic experience. It was a great book that I would highly recommend to others.

This book marked the end of my 2021 reading challenge. It was a fitting conclusion to a year of reading and exploring different genres.

I first came across this book during my high school days. At that time, although I recalled having a certain liking for it, I don't believe I was fully engaged. The reason being that I naively thought the book was merely about a group of Japanese prostitutes. However, a few weeks ago, I decided to give it a reread, and to my surprise, I fell in love with the story all over again.

"Memoirs" chronicles the life of a peasant girl named Sayuri in pre and post-WW2 Japan. She is sold into a life as an apprentice Geisha and eventually becomes a full-fledged Geisha. The novel is rich with vivid details of various characters. There are the gorgeous yet evil rivals, the heinous older ladies who manage the Geisha houses and almost enslave these girls, and the Geishas' patrons. Through the eyes of Sayuri, readers are introduced to the world of the Geisha. As she endeavors to find her place in this society, she also follows her heart (yes, it may sound cliché, but I don't want to spoil the story!).

The Geisha are women in Japan who are trained in various arts such as playing music, dancing, acting, and performing tea ceremonies. They earn their livelihood by entertaining wealthy Japanese men, typically in large groups, within tea houses. In rare instances, some of the most popular Geisha participate in a binding ceremony where they are paired for life with a Dannah, a very wealthy man who supports and takes care of them in exchange for intimacy. While there are some rather unappealing scenarios in the book that make them seem like highly-paid prostitutes, for the most part, the girls in the story are colorful, strong-willed, and captivating. It offers a truly fascinating insight into the old Japanese culture.

A little girl named Chiyo, who was later changed to Sayuri, experiences a rapid and harsh growth after being sold to a geisha house. \\n  This is the starting point of a captivating historical romance that truly charmed me.\\n

The writing in this book is simply gorgeous. The author's words paint a vivid picture of the characters and their world, making them come alive on the page. The characters themselves are perfection, each with their own unique personalities and motives. I found myself completely immersed in Sayuri's story, and I hated having to put the book down at the end of the night. But every time I picked it back up, I was instantly transported back to her vibrant world.

One of my favorite details in the book was the author's description of the kimonos. The colors and patterns were so beautifully described that I could easily imagine each one before me. I would often pause and picture myself gently grazing my fingers across the intricate designs, wishing that the kimono was real and within my reach.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the romance that was hidden within the story. It was not the typical relationship of duty that I was expecting, but rather a woman's relentless pursuit of her own wants and desires. The options available to Sayuri were difficult, and I found myself emotionally torn between them. Even now, I still haven't made up my mind about which path would have been best for her in the end.

Overall, I would give this book five stars. It left me pondering so much more than just the story itself. It made me think about the sacrifices that we make for love, the power of beauty, and the importance of following our own hearts.

If I'm being completely honest, I questioned for a long time the rating that this novel deserved. I sat down to think about the characters, the setting, the dialogues, the narrative, the descriptions and I loved everything.

It is one of those books from which you learn a lot as you enjoy the story. Moreover, I love that the good research that this book entailed is noticeable because as you see what happens with Sayuri or Mameha, they describe the Geisha world to you.

Fascinating!

If you like Japanese culture and historical novels, this is a must. I could say that it is one of the best historical novels that I have read.

It truly immerses you in a different world, allowing you to experience the lives and emotions of the characters in a very vivid way. The detailed descriptions of the Geisha traditions, the beautiful settings, and the complex relationships between the characters all contribute to making this novel a masterpiece. Whether you are a fan of historical fiction or simply looking for a captivating read, "Memoirs of a Geisha" is definitely worth picking up.