Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

Memoirs of a Geisha

By Arthur Golden

  • Release Date: 1997-09-23
  • Genre: Historical Fiction
Score: 4.5
4.5
From 1,131 Ratings

Description

A literary sensation and runaway bestseller, this brilliant debut novel tells with seamless authenticity and exquisite lyricism the true confessions of one of Japan's most celebrated geisha.

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read

Speaking to us with the wisdom of age and in a voice at once haunting and startlingly immediate, Nitta Sayuri tells the story of her life as a geisha. It 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 witness her transformation as she learns the rigorous arts of the geisha: dance and music; wearing kimono, elaborate makeup, and hair; pouring sake to reveal just a touch of inner wrist; competing with a jealous rival for men's solicitude and the money that goes with it.

In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion. It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction—at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful—and completely unforgettable.

Reviews

  • Addicting

    5
    By Blu Pen
    This novel is absolutely incredible. The way this author describes this geisha’s experiences makes every single detail seem real. I have read this book multiple times and will continue to do so.
  • Unrealistic. Great for fantasy.

    2
    By BLh109
    I read this book as a teenager. And I was fascinated by it until I heard about the lawsuit that entailed after, in which Arthur Golden violated the confidentiality agreement he’d held with Mineko Iwasaki, and other geisha he’d interviewed. The worst lie though is probably the perpetuation of the stereotype that deep down, geisha are prostitutes, by bringing in the mizuage as a sexual ceremony. Fact check: that isn’t a sex ceremony, it’s actually a referral within the geisha community for their annual earnings, which are public record. Ridiculous. It’s certainly a somewhat entertaining read if you like incorrect facts about the culture.
  • A real page turner

    5
    By retrofox
    Excellent book from start to finish!
  • A new favorite

    5
    By Jessiep813
    I almost didn’t read it cause I saw the movie forever ago. I’m so glad I picked it up cause I couldn’t put it down.
  • The Life Journey of Chiyo

    5
    By Schrödinger's Labrador
    As a geisha, Chiyo undoubtedly lived an unfortunate life. Her parents died early, and she was basically sold into slavery at such a young age. Spending her childhood and early adulthood learning how to serve men with her sexuality, she was a epitome of the women in the patriarchal Japanese society, objectified by men and subordinate to them. However, she was also fortunate that, by being a geisha and spoiled by her customers and dannas, she avoided the torment of poverty and war, which enabled her to have a unique perspective on the world around her, the way of survival, and love and hate. It was a very fascinating experience about the Japanese culture and the changes in the Japanese society throughout the 20th century.
  • Love

    5
    By eana gurl
    Best book I’ve read
  • A Stunning Story of the Truest Love

    5
    By R.S. Noel
    I was captivated from the start, so by the time I got to the end of the book in the same day I started reading it, I found myself in tears. This is a story of a girl's journey throughout this strange experience we call life, mixed with the secrecy of being a geisha, and ultimately a journey of self-discovery. Such a riveting story brought my heart alive and reminded me why life is worth living no matter the circumstances. This story is best read if you are going through some hard times in your life and are unsure of what the future may look like. Because as any Historian or very aged human being will tell you - history has a strange way of repeating itself...
  • Memoirs of a Geisha

    5
    By Yolanda Estrada
    From the minute I seen the movie I loved Memoirs of a Geisha and watched it over and over. Never would I imagined the book being more interesting. What a remarkable author. Thank you so much for sharing your passion with us. It is truly a honor to Have read this book. It is my favorite one of all time. I've had the pleasure of telling my daughter to read it. Since then she has read it three times start to finish. Thank you. Thank you.
  • Amazing girl to woman story!

    5
    By Charliecakes88
    The transition from innocence to cruel reality, captivated in a beautiful tale of hope.
  • One of my all time favorites

    5
    By Carrieslizz
    I first read this book in high school, borrowing it from my mother. I have since read it 3 or 4 more times. It immerses you in another world, and is very romantic. I would recommend it to anyone.

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