Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #279933 in Books
• Published on: 1997-09-23
• Binding: Hardcover

Customer Reviews

Mesmerizing and Engrossing
Memoirs of a Geisha transports you to a different time and magical, foreign place as you read this mesmerizing story of a young girl entering into what is perceived as the exotic world of geishas. However, William Golden pulls back the curtain to reveal all the not-so glamorous goings on in a geisha's life. This story left me enraptured and transfixed. Truly facinating. I was sad to see it end.

An Amazing, Fascinating story of Japanese Culture
Having read a number of beautiful stories this summer, I became fascinated by this lovely, yet sadly provacative story of the tranquil Geisha! She came out of the saddest Yoroido village as a Buddhist family of Father and two daughters following the death of her Mother. She and Satzu were sold to a wealthy man named, Takana. She was delivered to the Home of Mother and Auntie where she was trained to become a Geisha or an "Artisian." Her schooling included the serving of tea, dancing and playing of the typical Japanese string instruments and percussions which accompanied the dancing.

Her chance meeting of the Chairman one day along the park street as she sat peacefully gazing into the waters of a fountain changed her life! This wealthy Japanese executive of the Large Kyoto conglomerate continued to interest and confound her for many years. This sadly, circuitous and finely detailed story lasts for many years as the Geisha, Sayuri, becomes famously well-known, develops into one of great love and loss. She matures into one beautifully gifted unique compassionate friend of other young Geisha girls.

This consuming, dramatic narrative will live in my mind and heart for a long time. Gratefully...Retired Chaplain Fred W Hood

MEMOIRS OF A MASTERPIECE
If you have only experienced the movie, let me make it as clear as possible: you have barely scraped the surface. This a very rich and rewarding novel that will absorb you into another time, a far away land and a completely alien mentality. Welcome to the Floating World of the Geishas in its twilight.

This is loosely based on the true story of Mineko Iwasaki (whose much more accurate autobiography is also available under the title Geisha: A Life) presented in the form of a novel by a brilliant Arthur Golden (too bad he did not follow up his success with a second novel).

Japan in the years following WWI was a country in transition. The old ways were on their way out yet they have a way of soothing the soul of any nation, especially one found itself caught in limbo, between progress and tradition. In this transitional world Sayuri is offered the chance to become a Geisha. The unique color of her eyes, her patience and artistic abilities soon propel her to the position of the most famous Geisha of them all. But one should always be wary of what he wishes for.

Fame and success are never a guarantee for personal happiness. Predictably, Sayuri's love story is bittersweet and has many false starts. In fear of spoilers, I shall only say that life is never boring.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!