There are two markedly different schools of thought regarding this renowned novel. One contends that it is captivatingly brilliant, while the other asserts that it is pernicious drivel and dull to boot. Naturally, being rather cantankerous, I align with the second school of thought. Sophia's review from 2011 neatly encapsulates all the issues.

So I won't reiterate all her points. I gave up on page 138. Initially, I was rather uncomfortable with the concept of a white Western man penning the story as an Eastern woman. However, I still maintain that an author shouldn't be restricted to their own era and locale; that would be absurd. But this took it a step too far. In the acknowledgments at the back, Mr Golden is most deferential to all his esteemed Japanese informants, as well he should be. His main informant sued him for misrepresentation (which was settled out of court).

Some of the dialogue is preposterous. This is a 12-year-old girl speaking: "I’m no more a rival to her than a puddle is a rival to the ocean. I’d give anything to undo my mistakes. I’ve waited so patiently in the hopes that some opportunity might come along. I’m like a river that has come up against a dam, and that dam is Hatsumomo." It doesn't sound like any 12-year-old girl I've ever heard, but perhaps they all spoke like this in 1920s Kyoto.

But mainly, while many people enthusiastically describe this as gripping, I thought it was truly uncompelling. I was unmoved. I was like a river that encountered a dam, and that dam was the remaining 290 pages of "Memoirs of a Geisha".

I think this is going to be one of those books you either love or hate.

Maybe it's like a tattoo I've seen somewhere, making a bold statement that divides opinions.

After checking my Almanac, I knew I had to finish this book before the east wind of Hurricane Milton reached the Tiger Claws of Alligator Alley.

Thank goodness I did, as the leaves outside needed sweeping.

Although it's a fictional tale set mainly in Japan in the 1930s, it provided me with a wonderful insight into the vanishing world of a Geisha's life.

From childhood, through the stages of being an apprentice Geisha, to becoming a fully fledged Geisha, it was a daunting journey.

The characters in this book truly made it come alive for me. On one hand, you had the main Geisha's competing for dominance in Gion.

They used all kinds of cunning methods, some friendly, some smart, and some downright wicked, all hidden behind their white faces and beautiful kimonos.

The other main characters were the customers who visited the tea houses, mainly businessmen, politicians, generals, and doctors.

Some of them were perhaps more caring than others, while some simply gave you the creeps. Let's not even talk about Dr Crab.

Anyhow, I figured out the ending fairly quickly, but I still loved the plot.

Geisha means artist, performing artist, or artisan. What a wonderful way to describe something, and only the Japanese could do it so beautifully.

Sadly, there was no Dancing Queen when the Shamisens were playing, although I'm sure there was a hint of a Gary Glitter track like "you want to be in my gang" when Dr Crab paid a yen or two.

There is actually a Shamisen Thunderstruck cover on YouTube. Check it out if you're interested.

If you hate metaphors, you will probably hate this book, as it's full of them. There are more metaphors than dinghies blowing north in the Channel.

Now I'm off to buy some more books, but I need a danna to support my book-buying habit.

Overall, I give this book 5 Stars.

How was this book so good, really!?!

I enjoyed this book, from all those colorful and beautiful pictures and memories that were not always necessarily accompanied by happiness and joy, but were so warm and precious that they caressed the eyes and settled in the heart.

Have you ever lived with a book!? If so, then most likely your heart is now tight for that book. Just like this frustrating game-playing feeling that has not yet been resolved and my heart is still longing to see when I will go back to this book again! How much fun I had with this book.

^^

A memory of the book

Now I know that our life is never more permanent than a wave that rises from the depth of the sea. Our struggles and victories, whatever they may be, however we have passed them, like a drop of ink on paper, will evaporate and find its way.

-----

P.S: I should say one thing about the translation. Since I have been used to reading this type of books together with their English versions for a long time, I should say that the translation was censored. Now not very much, but in the range of three or four pages here and there, one or two paragraphs were censored and there was not even a word in their place. But overall, the translation was excellent and of high quality.

I'm not entirely certain as to why it has taken me such a long time to read this particular novel. However, I am extremely glad that I have finally gotten around to it.

This is most definitely a novel that builds slowly. The introduction initially confused me a little. It involved a translator who was meeting with Sayuri, a highly renowned geisha who desired to share her story with this one individual and leave behind her legacy.

The reader is swiftly transported back to the 1930s in Gion. There, we witness Sayuri's transformation into one of the most famous geishas in Japan. The writing is truly beautiful, and this is a novel that should be savored slowly. It progresses at a pace as slow as I envision Sayuri walking in her kimono along the pathway.

The life of a geisha has been thoroughly researched and detailed in this novel. The characters are well-developed, and I appreciate the delicate yet almost brutal pacing.

At times, the story moved too slowly for my liking. However, at other moments, I simply couldn't get enough. This book was so captivating that I can understand and appreciate the extra time it took for me to develop a relationship with it. Now, I have plans to watch the movie adaptation.

**"Memoirs of a Geisha": A Captivating Tale of a Geisha's Life**

Chiyo's life takes a drastic turn when a businessman offers to take her and her sister to the city. Her sister Satsu is placed in a brothel, while Chiyo, with her rare gray/blue eyes, is trained to be a geisha. The Mother of the geisha house has a rather unappealing appearance, and Chiyo quickly finds herself in trouble with the vindictive Hatsumomo. She is accused of various things and spends two years as a housemaid instead of training as a geisha.

Thankfully, she receives help from Mameha, who takes her under her wing and gives her another chance to become a geisha. At age 15, her virginity is put up for auction, and Dr. Crab wins. Despite the rather unappealing nature of the transaction, it frees Sayori (Chiyo's new name) from debt.

Sayori falls in love with The Chairman and wishes for him to be her danna. However, there are obstacles in the way, and she still feels sad despite her success. The book provides a fascinating look into the life of a geisha, the controlling environment, and the deadly system. It also shows how Sayori manipulates the system in her favor as she gets older.

The book was made into a film in 2005, directed by Rob Marshall. Some reviewers take issue with Sayori, but I feel she did what she needed to survive. The book is listed in the 1,001 Books You Must Read Before You Die and is a must-read for those interested in Japanese culture and the life of a geisha.

"Whatever our struggles and triumphs, however we may suffer them, all too soon they bleed into a wash, just like watery ink on paper."

I think I can count on the fingers of my hands the books that I have closed with a sigh of satisfaction, those with an ending that borders on the perfect, and of course, Memoirs of a Geisha falls into this select group of my readings.

What this novel offers can be divided into two aspects. On the one hand, a magnificent approach to the culture and history of pre- and post-war Japan through the suffering life of a geisha from Gion. The author takes us on a crude yet exquisitely delicate narrative journey through the tea houses, the geisha houses and their abusive economic ties, the education of these young women, the superstition that surrounds them, and much, much more. I realized that I knew almost nothing about this topic and what I knew... well, for the most part, they were incorrect perceptions. I also learned that at the time, this book caused a strong controversy, as some customs were not described with sufficient accuracy, but at least in my case, that does not detract from its value.

On the other hand, we have the novel itself, with all the conflicts that surround the personal story of Chiyo/Sayuri, from her innocent 9 years old until she achieves the inner peace (I dare not qualify it as happiness) that she so needed. With such well-drawn antagonist characters that you come to hate (Hatsumono, without whom the book would be practically reduced by half) and to love (Nobu, who caused me a deep sadness throughout the reading).

A delicious book that I highly recommend.

\\n  Reto #44 PopSugar 2020: A book set in Japan, host of the 2020 Olympic Games\\n

A very interesting book about the culture of the Geisha. I initially had the impression that it would be more like an actual memoir, but it turns out not to be. The story is well-written, yet it develops at a rather slow pace. I derived a great deal of enjoyment from learning about the history of the Geisha. However, the ending was extremely disappointing.

The author's detailed descriptions of the Geisha's world, their training, and their way of life are quite captivating. It gives readers a unique insight into a culture that is often shrouded in mystery. Despite the slow development, the narrative manages to hold one's attention.

Nevertheless, the letdown at the end leaves a bit of a sour taste. After building up the story and the anticipation, the conclusion feels rather rushed and unsatisfactory. It makes one wish that the author had spent more time crafting a more fulfilling ending.

This story is truly captivating. It all begins when Chiyo/Sayuri and her sister Satsu are sold into slavery at the tender age of 9 by their own father. Sayuri vividly describes her traumatic arrival at the Nitta okiya, which is a geisha house. There, she endures extremely harsh treatment from everyone around her. It's a difficult and heart-wrenching situation. However, despite all the problems she has to face, Sayuri manages to transform herself into a beautiful geisha who is highly accomplished in the art of entertaining men.

The story is filled with beautiful quotes that add depth and emotion. For example, "He was like a song I'd heard once in fragments but had been singing in my mind ever since." This quote gives us a glimpse into Sayuri's feelings and the impact a certain person has on her. Another quote, "Can't you see? Every step I have taken, since I was that child on the bridge, has been to bring myself closer to you," further emphasizes her longing and determination.

Accompanying the text are several images that help to bring the story to life. These images show different aspects of the geisha world and add a visual element to the narrative. Overall, this is a story that is not only interesting and entertaining but also quick to read, making it a great choice for anyone looking for a captivating tale.

In 2022, I never expected to re-read this book. However, Lisa of Troy's read-along group selected "Memoirs of a Geisha" for May, so I thought, why not? I mostly listened to the audiobook while having a physical copy for reference. It's a rather slow-paced story, but I believe it suits this fictionalized memoir.

The book follows Chiyo's life, which begins in a small fishing village. She and her older sister, Satsu, were taken from their parents with the promise of a better life, as their mother was terminally ill. Soon after, they were sold. Satsu was sold into prostitution, while Chiyo was sold to a geisha house. Chiyo then became Sayuri and trained in various traditional arts, eventually becoming an apprentice geisha or maiko.

To be honest, this book has parts that made me extremely uncomfortable. The concept of selling virginity to the highest bidder and having a sugar daddy or danna is rather disturbing. Bidding ceremonies and prostitution were outlawed in 1956. I tried to set aside my personal opinions and view these aspects as part of history and the old culture, specifically pre and during WWII. It wasn't an easy task, but overall, it's a good, albeit difficult, story.

This was a read-along group activity with Lisa of Troy. In 2014, I gave this book 2 stars and DNF (Did Not Finish). I had bought the paperback for a long flight but never managed to complete it.

The book was extraordinary.

It truly stood out from the rest.

The story was engaging and full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The characters were well-developed and relatable, making it easy for me to become invested in their lives.

The writing style was also excellent, with vivid descriptions that brought the story to life.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read.

Whether you're a fan of fiction or non-fiction, this book has something for everyone.

So don't hesitate, pick up a copy and start reading today!

Absolutely stunning and flawless. This book has truly been promoted to one of my all-time favorite books. I am completely in awe of how the author managed to write this masterpiece. The fact that he is not a geisha, not Japanese, not a woman, and not from the World War II era makes it even more incredible. It is truly a remarkable achievement. The story is so vivid and engaging that it transports the reader to a different time and place. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good story.

I am truly overjoyed to have had the opportunity to re-read this remarkable masterpiece. Arthur Golden's writing is nothing short of exquisite. With great ease, he transports readers into the enchanting and mesmerizing world of Kyoto's geisha culture. His meticulous attention to detail is truly commendable, as is his seamless interweaving of historical elements into the narrative.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is the character of Hatsumomo, who stands out as one of the most villainous figures in literature. She embodies pure malevolence and serves as a foil to the protagonist, Chiyo. Chiyo's journey is a shared odyssey as she struggles with the hardships of life, tradition, and rivalry.

At its core, the narrative is a deeply poignant tale of survival, hope in the face of great adversity, and resilience. It is a story that reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope. Golden's writing is so beautiful that it is a sheer joy to read. His words have the power to transport us to another time and place, and to make us feel as if we are a part of the story.

The quote, "Adversity is like a strong wind. I don't mean just that it holds us back from places we might otherwise go. It also tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that afterward we see ourselves as we really are, and not merely as we might like to be," perfectly encapsulates the themes of the book. It is a powerful reminder that adversity can be a catalyst for growth and self-discovery.