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Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha" is a rather exciting novel. The characters are well developed and the storyline is consistent and holds itself throughout the narration. This novel is, however, not an historical document. Golden met with the author of "Geisha, a Life" (also titled "Geisha of Gion" in the UK), Mineko Iwasaki, a real Kyoto geiko that provided him with details about the history and lifestyle of the traditional geisha. Nonetheless, it is reported that Golden manipulated and adapted her information to make his novel more appealing to American readers. If you're not looking for a realistic account of Japanese geishas, but simply want to have fun and read an appealing story, this novel would be an excellent choice.
it was interesting, a little slow in the begining. actually it never did pick up speed very much. it isn't the kind of book that you can't put down...it is a steady read, and there are slow parts that i skipped past because they were boring. one warning, though. it does get kinda sexually explicit. there are a few parts of it where you will find yourself explaining some stuff if you let someone too young read this. (i know, duh, it is agout a geisha...but for some reason, i didn't think it would be about sex.) this book explains that geisha's had an interesting view of the world...and an interesting reality to their lives. they had their own society, hierarchy, rules, norms, etc. it is interesting and historical, and has some parts about how these people survived the war.it does sort of explain alot about men and the way that they think and i like the part where it explains that we just make them complicated because we want them to be complicated, not because they are. i did end up with a feeling that i had learned something when i had finished the book.Read full review
I picked this book up from a local bookstore because I liked the cover and thought it might be interesting. Well, it was more than that. This book is extremely well-written, and the story pulls you into the world of the Japanese Geisha. Not only is it an excellent story, but it is (as far as I know) historically accurate. Arthur Golden goes to great lengths to colorfully describe the lifestyle of the Geisha, from their day-to-day habits and rituals to the intricacies of the Tea Ceremony and auspicious signs. I highly recommend this book to anyone, especially those with an interest in history.
I purchased this Book, Long Before the Movie was Made. I READ IT...and thought it a Fabulous Account of the History of Women, that have been a Mystery to Most, until now. THE GEISHA WOMEN. The Story is Told by one of the most Famous Geisha's of All Time. It is a Very Interesting Story of How they BECOME Geisha...and the LIFE they Lead. This FAMOUS Geisha's Story, happens to take place During the WAR...tells how Japan Fell...and the Famous Geisha Houses with it. To Be Re-built..and Re-erected..but the DAY of the ALL Mysterious Geisha, was almost at it's end. When the Movie came out...I wanted my mother to read this story...as she is almost blind..and would not be able to SEE the Movie, as it is a Dark Movie...Taking Place mostly in Evening Hours, as those are the hours of the Geisha. Knowing that it was INDEED a Very Good Book..as I had Already read it...I Purchased this one, for a Very Good Price on Ebay, for my Mother.... She ALSO Enjoyed it Immensely, as it was from her Era....and she could relate to ALL that Happened. In All....I rate this as a Highly Entertaining Book...but You DO have to Have Interest in the Japanese Culture...and You do Have to Have Interest in the War..as Many Chapters are Devoted to the Telling of it all.Read full review
This is a POP-culture must read. Even if you are in no way interested in this material the style of the writing sucks-you-into the life of the main character in a weird voyeuristic sort of way. I would classify this as CHICK-lit because it is most appealing to women and most of the people I have met who have read this are women. I would put this in a book club reading list and I would not recommend for anyone under college age. Western philosophy does not apply to this storyline so be prepared, this is not a happy story. It does have a vast mount of historical data put into its story line and it gives a hint into the changes Geishas have made. This is beach reading or coffee shop reading it is not made for literature junkies. It is a mainstream book that has done a wonderful job of making a splash with a fresh topic.Read full review
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