Memoirs of a geisha

[Kell]

Memoirs of a Geisha
Author: Arthur Golden
ISBN # 0099771519
Publisher: Vintage
First Published: 1997
428 pages

“A true Geisha can stop a man with a single look.”

Summoning up more than twenty years of Japan's most dramatic history, it uncovers a hidden world of eroticism and enchantment, exploitation and degradation. From a small fishing village in 1929, the tale moves to the glamorous and decadent heart of Kyoto in the 1930s, where a young peasant girl is sold as servant and apprentice to a renowned geisha house. She tells her story many years later from the Waldorf Astoria in New York; it exquisitely evokes another culture, a different time and the details of an extraordinary way of life. It conjures up the perfection and the ugliness of life behind rice-paper screens, where young girls learn the arts of geisha - dancing and singing, how to wind the kimono, how to walk and pour tea, and how to beguile the most powerful men.

Due to the publicity surrounding the film (which I’ve not yet seen), I was drawn to the book and am so pleased it lived up to my expectations. Although it moves at a sedate pace, every chapter manages to feel momentous, even if only in a small way at times, and the richly drawn world of a Gion Geisha is vividly brought to life. Descriptions of the many kimono and tea ceremonies manage to instill a feeling of grandeur to the tale, despite the humble beginnings of the heroine.

The plot isn’t action-packed and is, at times, predictable, but this doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of reading the story and I found myself completely immersed in the evocative and provocative life of these women who live purely to entertain men in accordance to ancient tradition, without thought of their own happiness or ever feeling free to experience love for themselves.

At times it is quite harrowing – the depiction of a culture that will sell it’s daughters into a life of servitude, whether as a potential Geisha or to a life of domestic servitude, seems worlds away from the Western ideal, and yet there is something appealing in the former (though definitely not the latter), with all the mystery surrounding them – yet at other times, there is pure hope shining out from between the pages and it is ultimately an uplifting story with a positive slant.

For me, it has spawned a previously unrealized interest in the Japanese culture and I will most certainly be reading more books of a similar ilk, however, I think this one will shine like a pearl and stand out as something precious and special no matter how many I read.

Rating: 8

[Maureen]

A friend of mine just lent me this.

[Louiseog]

I really enjoyed it, easy to read but with lots of information about what it must have been like. Fascinating

[Lilywhite]

Absolutely loved it :)

[dogmatix]

Great book. Here's another Out - Natsuo Kirino (check the spelling) great book that really lays out the mysoginistic Japanese culture. Plus it's got murder and boxed lunches! Read it!

[madcow]

Read this one whilst bouncing around the English Channel yesterday, we were stuck on the ferry for over 4 hours waiting to dock :mrgreen: .

Absolutley loved it, very easy to read and very informative of that way of life.

[Kell]

Jue - if you loved this one, you must read Geisha of Gion by Mineko Iwasaki. She was the Geisha with whom Golden collaborated on Memoirs & then she turned her back on it because she was so furious at the way he'd twisted things. Her own autobiography is wonderful & even more moving that Memoirs - I think you'll love it!

[madcow]

Jue - if you loved this one, you must read Geisha of Gion by Mineko Iwasaki. She was the Geisha with whom Golden collaborated on Memoirs & then she turned her back on it because she was so furious at the way he'd twisted things. Her own autobiography is wonderful & even more moving that Memoirs - I think you'll love it!


Thanks Kell, i've added it to the 'TBR' mountain! It sounds really good, can't wait to get hold of a copy now :D

[Maureen]

have started this one today - I like what I read so far.

[Sofia]

I picked this one up at a library book sale...looking forward to it:)

[nuttymum303]

Have this on my TBR pile for this year if possible

[dogmatix]

I read this book quite some time ago and enjoyed it thoroughly. The Geisha lifestyle was so interesting. A real eye opener.

[Emi226]

i really enjoyed this book and it also made me want to learn about their world. Although its non- fiction geisha by lisa dalby is another good book as she was the first non-japanese woman to become a geisha. She also goes into more detail about the history of them. I think she was a consultant on the movie as well.

[kernow_reader]

Read this ages ago but as I recall it's a great book and a fascinating insight into Geisha-Japanese culture. Enjoy!

[Lilywhite]

One of my favourite books of last year. Brilliantly written and totally engrossing, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

[Maureen]

I finished this yesterday. I must say I really enjoyed it, and realised some how wrong I was about very basic things which I had pre-conceptions about. It's not an easy life!

[Kell]

You might be surprised, Mau - I believe the hardness of life is true-to-form, but if you read various Geisha autobiographies, they have varying tales. Mineko Iwasaki denies that mizuage is the auctioning off of a Geisha's virginity or that Geisha are basically prostitutes, whereas from some other accounts of Geisha working at the lower end of the scale who are in reality working in the equivalent of brothels. Memoirs is a good book though - I really enjoyed it.

[Maureen]

To tell you the truth I was thinking that I should pick up another Geisha book, to see if the story holds. BTW a particular description (having to do with saliva):eek: towards the end of the book is going to be terribly difficult to erase from my mind unfortunately.:hide:

[pontalba]

I read this book quite some time ago and enjoyed it thoroughly. The Geisha lifestyle was so interesting. A real eye opener.
Let me recommend Autobiography of a Geisha by Sayo Masuda translated by G.G. Rowley. Talk about an eye opener. :lurker:
Well written, heart wrenching story that is from what I've heard much grittier than Memoirs was, I have Memoirs in my stack too, unread so far.

[Kell]

I denjoyed Autobiography of a Geisha, but I preferred Geisha of Gion by Mineko Iwasaki. Autobiography felt more stilted (as you'd expect, as the author was almost illiterate when she wrote it), although still beautiful for its simplicity, but Geisha of Gion made a much stronger impact on me - I really felt I'd been introduced to Mineko's world.

[pontalba]

I denjoyed Autobiography of a Geisha, but I preferred Geisha of Gion by Mineko Iwasaki. Autobiography felt more stilted (as you'd expect, as the author was almost illiterate when she wrote it), although still beautiful for its simplicity, but Geisha of Gion made a much stronger impact on me - I really felt I'd been introduced to Mineko's world.
I'll look for it. Thanks. :D

[princessponti]

I loved Memoirs of a Geisha, really, really loved it! I couldn't read anything for weeks after I read it as I didn't want to spoil the memory of it; I kept flicking back through it and re-reading parts. I found it amazing how the book dealt with some heartbreaking issues, some awful situations and really unappealing environments; and yet I still walk away from the book feeling it's beautiful essence. Such a moving story of hope and determination! I've actually bought a second copy to lend out to people!!

[Purple Poppy]

Its on my TBR list, but I haven't been that enthusiastic thus far, basically for the reasons you cite, Prinpont...oops! Princessponti. The content is possibly a bit too harrowing for me. But maybe, if it left such a mark on you, and the beautiful essence, I should not be so afraid of trying it.

PP

[madcow]

Go for it PP, I loved it too. It left a lasting impression on me to.

[Purple Poppy]

Jules said; Go for it PP, I loved it too. It left a lasting impression on me to.


Ok. I'll bump it up the TBR pile and give it two stars!

[Maureen]

In my opinion, it's enjoyable, but I would not classify it as awesome.

[Kell]

I agree with Maureen - I enjoyed it a lot, but there were others I enjoyed more.

[Janet]

I read this a few years ago... and although I enjoyed it, it hasn't stayed with me like some books do.

Definitely worth reading though. I'd like to see the film version, but I'm waiting for it to be on TV!

[lofusexy]

ive seen the film , but havnt read the book yet. Its on my shelf waiting to be read. The film was very gd so the book is sure to be a winner.

[Maureen]

The film was very gd so the book is sure to be a winner.

it does not work out the same vice versa...............

[Marilou]

Read the Geishe a few years ago also. I liked it despite it being slow and obvious. Did you find the story to follow Sex and the City's Carrie 's destiny? I was disappointed with the end. Would love to see the film though for the photographic perspective of it

[KAY]

Nearly finished it and it has been amazing. Its been like being in a different world. Absolutely fascinating. Anyone else read it?

[~V~]

Thread here (http://www.bookclubforum.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=1044&highlight=memoirs+geisha)

Kay, if you can't see a thread, just go to the 'search' link at the top, put the main words in (in this case; 'memoirs geisha') and you should find every thread with the words in question.

This book gets mentioned a lot - it's exceptionally popular :)

Wonder if a mod will now merge this.

[Nici76]

Thanks V, I have now merged them. :)

[~V~]

No problems. Just proving I'm awake :lol:

[scottishbookworm]

I've never read the book yet:readingtwo: