This is such a beautiful and mesmerising story! Arthur Golden paints a vivid and remarkable picture of the mysterious world of geisha and I'm not surprised it took him six years to write it. Even though the language can get a bit too dramaric in some places, I thought the story was still believable. This book didn't stir so much noise for nothing!

عن الحب و الحرب ، عن جمالية الفنون و مرارة الإتجار في البشر ، ممتهنات أقدم مهنة عرفها التاريخ :

جميلات الدعارة الراقية كما تسمى اليوم
من هن حقيقة فتيات الغايشا في اليابان
!
الغيشا في الاصل هن المضيفات من الفتيات اللاتي يقمن بإحياء الحفلات والمآدب عن طريق الأغاني والرقصات التقليدية اليابانية والعزف على آلة الـ”شاميسين“ وغيرها من الفنون.

يقال إن بداية هذا الفن كانت في عصر إيدو في القرن السابع عشر حين بدأت الفتيات العاملات في محلات الشاي بكيوتو واللاتي كُنَّ يقدمن الحلوى والشاي، بمحاكاة عروض مسارح الكابوكي وأصبحن يؤدين عروض الرقص والعزف كنوع من الترحيب بزائري المعابد البوذية والشنتوية والسائحين. ولا تزال ثقافة الغيشا باقية إلى الآن في عدة مجالات ومنها السياحة حيث يتم الاستفادة من ثقافة الغيشا بشكل أساسي في كيوتو وطوكيو وأيضاً في نيغاتا وأكيتا وغيرها من المناطق الأخرى. لكن لطالما ارتبط اسمهن بالدعارة و تسلية أهم الرجال من الدولة.

هن في الواقع مراهقات حسناوات يتم تبنيهن للعيش داخل الاوكيا و هي منازل للرعاية و وتكوين فتيات الغايشا المستقبليات من خلال تلقيهن دروس في الفن و الرقص و الرسم و الاتيكيت ، مقابل أخذ نسبة من أجورهن في المستقبل بعد أن يصبحن غايشات ناجحات.

تبدأ الرواية بسرد الواقع المرير للفتاة الجميلة نيتا التي سيصبح اسمها في بعد سايوري، فقر أسرتها المدقع و مرض أمها الذي لا أمل في شفاءه اضطر أبيها بيعها هي و اختها الكبرى لرجل ثري سيأخذهما للعيش في إحدى الأوكيات .

فعلا تدخل الفتاة الصغيرة و تبدأ رحلة معاناتها لتصبح غايشا ، علاقاتها المتعددة نجاحاتها إخفاقاتها و الأهم من كل هذا مشاعرها الدفينة في كل موقف و التي أغلبها حزينة و موجعة، حتى قصة حبها الوحيدة عانت كثيرا لتصل للعيش رفقة حبيبها كخليلة لأنه كان متزوج و كان هو عائلها أو الدانا كما يطلق على معيل الغايشا آنذاك ..

رحلة طويلة للبحث عن الاحترام و عن مكانة بين ذالك المجتمع المغلق و إثبات الذات و إثبات نجاحها ك غايشا.

بعد بحثي عن تاريخ الغايشا في اليابان وحقيقة هذه الحياة الحافلة و السرية، وجدت أن مكانة الغايشا بين النساء كانت مهمة ومحترمة، فالغايشا الناجحة هي صاحبة المال و السلطة تستمده من الدانا أو معيلها أو من معارفها المتعددة و للأسف في أكثر من مصدر فتيات الغايشا كن خليلات أهم رجال الأعمال و السياسة خصوصا في القرن العشرين.

أحببت الرواية جدا فهي أقحمتني في عالم كان مجهولا بالنسبة لي بتفاصيل متعددة و أسلوب سرد فريد للثقافة اليابانية.

چطوری این کتاب انقدر خوب بود آخه، همم!؟
لذت بردم از این کتاب، از تمام اون تصاویر و خاطرات رنگارنگ و زیبایی که لزوما همیشه هم با خوشی و سعادت همراه نبودن اما اونقدر گرم و عزیز بودن که چشم رو نوازش میدادن و به دل می نشستن

شده تا حالا با یه کتاب زندگی کنید!؟ اگر شده پس به احتمال زیاد الان دلتون برای اون کتاب تنگ شده. درست مثل همین دلتنگیِ بازیگوشی که هنوز هیچی نشده کنج دلم جا خوش کرده و منتظره ببینه من دوباره کی می رم سر وقت این کتاب! چقدر با این کتاب به من خوش گذشت
^^
یادگاری از کتاب

اکنون می دانم زندگیمان هیچ وقت پایدارتر از موجی نیست که از پهنه ی دریا برمی خیزد. مبارزات و پیروزی مان هرچه باشد, هرگونه که آنها را از سر گذرانده باشیم, مثل قطره ای مرکب بر روی کاغذ می دود و راه خودش را می یابد

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پ.ن : یه نکته راجع به ترجمه بگم. از اونجایی که من مدت هاست عادت کردم این سبک از کتاب ها رو همزمان با نسخه ی انگلیسی شون بخونم باید بگم که ترجمه سانسور داشت، حالا نه خیلی زیاد ولی در حد سه-چهار صفحه اینجا و اونجا، یکی دوتا پاراگراف سانسور شده بود که جای حرفی هم نداره. اما در کل از هر لحاظ ترجمه ی عالی و با کیفیتی بود

Incluso 4.5. Ha sido una maravilla seguir el camino de la protagonista desde niña y conocer el mundo velado de las geishas (o al menos tan tergiversado en occidente), y tantos términos, usos y palabras desconocidas para mí. Mundo todo él que me ha resultado muy interesante; libro didáctico y de lectura entretenida. Letras con vida. Para mi su protagonista es un ser que siente, padece (y mucho) y respira. Así como todos los personajes que deambulan en la novela. Y sin querer desvelar nada, el final es lo que menos me ha convencido. Pero nada grave, simplemente un gusto personal.

تا قبل خاطرات یک گیشا فکر می‌کردم گیشاشدن خیلی باحال و جذابه. اما نمی‌دونستم گیشاشدن یه انتخاب نیست، یه جور بی‌چارگیه...

برخلاف خیلی‌ها که از جزییات خسته می‌شدن برای من خیلی دلنشین بود. چون کلاً به فرهنگ شرقی علاقه دارم- به جز این نگاه وحشتناکی که به زن دارن و خیلی خیلی غمگینم می‌کرد. اما توصیفات رو دلم می‌خواست هزاربار بخونم و یادم نره، می‌دونم از همین الآن هم یادم رفته. ولی تجربه تکرارنشدنی‌ای بود. یه رمان رو این‌قد با حوصله و ریز به ریز بخونم و فقط بذارم وقتی که فکرم آزاده، فقط وقتی که می‌تونم حسابی روش تمرکز کنم. از کِش دادنِ مدت کتاب اصلاً خوشم نمی‌آد. ولی این انگار هرچی بیشتر طول می‌دادم بیشتر توی ذهنم حک می‌شد. یه تیکه‌هایی رو ول می‌کردم و تا یه هفته تو فکرش می‌رفتم. مثل قضیه خواهر سایوری- که دیگه هیچ‌وقت ازش خبری نشد و تا پایان داستان نامعلوم موند... یا مامه‌ها، شخصیت مامه‌ها واقعاً یه حالت فرشته‌گونی داشت. چطور می‌تونی یه غریبه رو پیدا کنی که این‌قدر خالصانه برات وقت بذاره؟ اونم برای چیزی که همه طردش کرده‌ن و به وضعیت رقت‌انگیزی افتاده؟

من حتی نوبو رو هم دوست داشتم و راستش درک نمی‌کنم چهره عشق اول آدم این‌قد برای سال‌ها- پونزده‌سال فکر کنم، بشه همه هم و غمت. به نظرم انگیزه‌های بیشتری هم دخیل بوده اما به خاطر کلیشه‌های سنتی و جامعه مردسالارانه و وضعیت سایوری... قابل درکه این تصور. و ریسکی که کرد هم خیلی منو ترسوند. حتی کتابو بستم بلند شدم یه چرخی بزنم سرم گیج رفت :)) و برام سنگین بود که به خاطر عشقت به دوستت، جدا از علاقه‌ای که بهت داره، به خاطر اون همه محبت، بازم بهش خیانت کنی. گرچه می‌دونم آدم تو زندگی‌ش با سفت‌ترین موازین اخلاقی هم اشتباهات وحشتناکی می‌کنه و خودمم خیلی وقت‌ها طبق پیش‌بینی‌ها و هنجارهای خودم رفتار نکردم. بنابراین اینم قابل درک بود.

پایان خیلی پایان خوشی بود که این‌قد خوش رو دوست نداشتم. اما همه‌ش سرگذشت شخصیت توی ذهنم دوره می‌شد و با اون خودمو توجیه می‌کردم. جدا از همه این‌ها، بیان و زبان نویسنده مسحورکننده بود؛ در عین سادگی بدون هیچ تکلفی با تصویرهای قشنگش- که نمی‌دونم دخالت سایوری چقد نقش داشت- خیلی گیراش کرده بود.

This one is going to be a bit difficult for me to review. I enjoyed it, but it was kinda weird. It was interesting, but kind of slow. The historical fiction aspect is interesting, but I have seen many reviews critical of the actual truth of it all.

The pros:
- Very good storytelling - Each chapter was its own short story and I found it easy to read and stay interested.
- Characters - I was invested in the characters. In fact, I was so invested I could feel my loathing for one of the bad characters curdling in my very soul. It's usually a good sign when you want to reach into the book and smack a character.
- The setting and the history - it was fascinating to learn about Geisha culture in pre-WWII Japan and how different it is from anything in American history.

The Cons
- This one may not be fair because it is probably historically accurate, but the Geisha culture made all the male characters seem like creepers. So, even when there is one you are supposed to like or who is supposed to be a hero, you know that he is all about pre-pubescent, up-and-coming Geisha and hoping to be able to deflower as many as possible. Just skews things a bit.
- Kind of slow - even thought I thought the storytelling was great, there were a few times where it started to drag and I was ready to move on to the next part of the story.
- Accuracy - Without Goodreads, I would have probably never have known this, but it seems there is some question as to the accuracy of the account in this book. Often, other, more reliable titles are suggested. But, was this supposed to be a non-fiction memoir, a story based on some facts surrounding the Geisha culture but equal parts fact and fiction, or just a completely made up story? I am not completely sure, but it should provide some interesting follow up research.

So, I am going to go with 4 stars because it was an interesting story and despite some slow spots and creepers, it was pretty entertaining. Also, questions/controversy over its accuracy might actually raise the entertainment value!

Nitta Sayuri story begins in a poor fishing village in 1929, when, as a nine-year-old girl with unusual blue-gray eyes, she is taken from her home and sold into slavery to a renowned geisha house. We watch her learn the art of dance, make-up, and fashion. The simple flick of the wrist when pouring sake is a learned skill meant to entice. How petty jealousies can turn deadly, and your virginity is sold to the highest bidder. In this world, love is an illusion. To survive, you have to learn how to beguile the most powerful men.

This is a beautiful book. It transports you back in time. I enjoyed the movie as well. Watching Nitta dance was powerful. Highly recommend both!

So some have issues with this book. Even the former geisha who consulted on it. There was some cultural kerfuffle.

Whatever. It's good. I liked it. Sure, it's no handbook to feminism, but the title is Memoirs of a Geisha, not Memoirs of a Subversive Warrior Lady Light Years Ahead of Her Time.

So. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up. Fine holiday fun.

A beautiful, sad , evocative, exciting and intriguing novel which engaged me from start to finish about a nine year old Japanese child, Chiyo Sakamoto , from a poor fishing village sold by her ill and poverty stricken parents into the world being a slave to the whims of men and more powerful women, though her sister Satsu suffered a far crueler fate being sold into an brothel and into the hellish world of forced prostitution.

Chiyo is a survivor, who uses her white, savvy and survival instincts, as well as pure strength of character to go from a basic child slave , and survive the wicked wiles of the evil supreme Geisha geisha, Hatsumomo, the cruelty of 'Granny' the matriarch and the greed of 'Mother'
A sad reflection of life for women and children sold or forced into the sex trade.Something epidemic today including in Western countries
The kindness of the Chairman of a major Japanese corporation and her mentor and so called 'elder sister' Geisha Mameha,provides her with some salvation. And her story is a fascinating one
Always against the backdrop of the Japan of the times, shows us of the country during both the glory of the 1930s Japanese empire and the deprivations of World War II. The whims of the men who become her Danna, basically sexual master and patron.
Encapsulates the sights, expounds and smells of the Japan of the time,. As we really get into the head of Chiyo who becomes Sayuri after her deflowering. And I found myself anxious for her throughout the novel, felt her trials and tribulations but also learned from the history and social issues, threaded through this excellent bestseller.

This is not a memoir. Do your research people! Arthur Golden invented it all, and shamelessly used up Mineko (the retired geisha) who trusted him enough to tell him her life story. A real story and not the fiction printed on these pages. Mineko received death threats because of his lies. These are serious things. Many Asian women were sexually assaulted by Western man because of books like this one, books that paint them as promiscuous prostitutes.

This author was sued for breach of contract for mentioning Mineko in the acknowledgements and as they came to some kind of agreement in the court, I don't think the author still advertises this novel as a true story, but didn't he use to do in the past? At any rate, a lot of people think that was Golden wrote was based on a real life account and that is definitely not the case.

What do I think about his actions? Not only did the author trivialize and insult Japanese culture but he invented the whole thing. It is fiction, not memoir. Obviously nobody cares about that. What interest me is how readers be so stupid (or perhaps better to say culture ignorant) as to think this is a memoir? Haven't you noticed passages literally rewritten from Gone with the Wind? That episode when the heroine hides her hands after having to work during the war. Gone With the Wind rip off for sure. There are other Western movie references that I can think of but forgive me if I don't feel too inclined to overly analyze this excuse for a novel.

So, what do I think about this novel? If the author wasn't so immoral in advertising it falsely, had he been clear it was all invention- it would still be a terrible and shameless book. I mean maybe I could give it two stars if it was placed in an imaginary land. The story isn't great as such, but apart from being wildly racist, it's somewhat readable. Nevertheless, it is a shameless and racist attack on Japanese culture. The author should be ashamed of himself.

لم يُخلق القبح لحواء ابدا؛لكنها حوصرت بالعبودية دوما
والعبيد هم:الذين يهربون من الحرية؛فاذا طردهم سيد بحثوا عن سيد اخر؛فالعبيد هم الذين يطلبون الحرية اما الاحرار:فيصنعونها

3.5 Stars - Great book.

It took me a few chapters to get into the story and the characters – just about everything. The opening is fine but that’s it, just fine. I wasn’t pulled into the story in any way. Mediocre may be too strong of a word for the first three to four chapters but it definitely teeters on mediocre.

There are many different ways to draw me into a book but mostly I have to feel some sort of connection to the characters. I didn’t feel that in the first few chapters here. Honestly, I don’t know why I kept reading but ultimately I’m glad I did.

As for the characters, there’s not one character that I liked but I didn’t necessarily dislike or hate them either (except for Hatsumomo and Mother, those two I despise). Sayuri isn’t even that great of a person, and yet I was rooting for her, even through her stupid mistakes. I think part of the problem with the characters is that the situations they’re in and the culture they’re in are just so different than anything I’ve read before. I must sadly say that my reading experience tends to be heavy on the Western Hemisphere. I think I need to adapt my reading skills to really appreciate characters from other cultures. I say all that, and that doesn’t mean the characters aren’t well written. They are impeccably written and I can see that. I just don’t like the characters as people. I don’t like them but I do respect them, well I respect most of them.

Part of the problem is that the whole subject matter was new to me so I was so focused on grasping certain concepts and understanding the Geisha experience/life that I forgot the little things. So much of the character “issue” is on me. But some of it is on the author because I’m not that terrible of a reader.

One of the good things about the characters were their complex backstories and that for most of them, I could sympathize or at least understand why they were the way they were. For instance, Sayuri’s character development is fascinating to watch. Sure, she isn’t perfect but who is? I can relate to certain feelings of hers and that helps create a bond between myself and the main character. Though, I did always feel a certain disconnect. I will say that the author created someone, in my opinion, that is purely evil - Hatsumomo. I know her circumstances and life may not have always been kind to her but I’m a firm believer that people have choices. They can’t control what happens to them, but they can control how they act. Hatsumomo chose incorrectly. This may be a bit of a stretch but since I just finished Rebecca, I saw some major title characters between the title character and Hatsumomo. Both absolutely beautiful bitches that could fool people into believe they were better people than they actually were - less for for Hatsumomo at the end of the book though.

The writing is fine and really plays to the scenes. By that I mean that when the author needs to be descriptive he uses beautiful, flowery language and when he needs to be more concise he molds his words to do just that. The author really knows how to form phrases and sentences and so on to create scenes. My main issue is that he doesn’t know how to break-up paragraphs. If I was taught anything in school, it’s that you can’t let a paragraph go on for too long because you lose your reader and this book certainly proves that point. It was straining on my eyes and I eventually had to go back over and read some of those arduous passages again.

I thought the ending came up very fast. That is to say, that when Sayuri and the Chairman finally “got together” there were only a few chapters left. And that was even cut short because of Sayuri’s move to New York. I understand that this book is supposed to focus on her life as a Geisha, but I still felt short-changed. When I finished, I can’t say I felt satisfied. It appears that Sayuri is happy, or at least content, with where life eventually brought here but I wasn’t satisfied as a reader. That’s probably because I wanted Sayuri and the Chairman to be together forever, as the cliche goes (even though I never got of the ridiculous age difference. Creeps me out a little) but even as I write it I know that’s just not how the Geisha culture is.

Overall, I can happily recommend this book. It’s a great book and even though I’m not sure I actually liked it I appreciated it and the storyline.