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Search - Memoirs of a Geisha
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Memoirs of a Geisha Author: |
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Book Information
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Other Versions of this Book: Paperback, Audio Cassette (Unabridged), Audio Cassette (Abridged), Audio CD (Unabridged), Audio CD (Abridged), Hardcover
Book Description:
Memoirs of A Geisha is an epic drama about the remote and shimmeringly exotic world of Sayuri, one of Japan's most celebrated geishas. The novel has been a beloved bestseller all over the world and is now set to become the major movie event of the year. The film stars Asia's most celebrated movie stars including Zhang Ziyi (House of Flying Daggers; Hero), Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai), Gong Li (Raise The Red Lantern), and Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon).
In this literary tour de force, novelist Arthur Golden enters a remote and shimmeringly exotic world. For the protagonist of this peerlessly observant first novel is Sayuri, one of Japan's most celebrated geisha, a woman who is both performer and courtesan, slave and goddess.
We follow Sayuri from her childhood in an impoverished fishing village, where in 1929, she is sold to a representative of a geisha house, who is drawn by the child's unusual blue-grey eyes. From there she is taken to Gion, the pleasure district of Kyoto. She is nine years old. In the years that follow, as she works to pay back the price of her purchase, Sayuri will be schooled in music and dance, learn to apply the geisha's elaborate makeup, wear elaborate kimono, and care for a coiffure so fragile that it requires a special pillow. She will also acquire a magnanimous tutor and a venomous rival. Surviving the intrigues of her trade and the upheavals of war, the resourceful Sayuri is a romantic heroine on the order of Jane Eyre and Scarlett O'Hara. And Memoirs of a Geisha is a triumphant work - suspenseful, and utterly persuasive.
In this literary tour de force, novelist Arthur Golden enters a remote and shimmeringly exotic world. For the protagonist of this peerlessly observant first novel is Sayuri, one of Japan's most celebrated geisha, a woman who is both performer and courtesan, slave and goddess.
We follow Sayuri from her childhood in an impoverished fishing village, where in 1929, she is sold to a representative of a geisha house, who is drawn by the child's unusual blue-grey eyes. From there she is taken to Gion, the pleasure district of Kyoto. She is nine years old. In the years that follow, as she works to pay back the price of her purchase, Sayuri will be schooled in music and dance, learn to apply the geisha's elaborate makeup, wear elaborate kimono, and care for a coiffure so fragile that it requires a special pillow. She will also acquire a magnanimous tutor and a venomous rival. Surviving the intrigues of her trade and the upheavals of war, the resourceful Sayuri is a romantic heroine on the order of Jane Eyre and Scarlett O'Hara. And Memoirs of a Geisha is a triumphant work - suspenseful, and utterly persuasive.
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Top Member Book Reviews
Sama B. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I didn't love it, but I can see how others could. I read it because of Japan's controversy over its publication. It is food for thought, especially for encouraging young women to protect their chastity. The protagonist stands up for nothing, and her life happenings are...worth the read. ;)
Debra L. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Sayuri is a geisha and this is her story. Told in first person, Sayuri begins her memoirs telling us about her childhood as a younger sister. She is a elderly fisherman's daughter and has an dying mother. Abruptly, she and her sister are taken away by strangers. She has been sold into slavery and now belongs to a geisha house. The novel takes the reader on an endearing journey through this child's life and training as she becomes of one of Japan's most famous geisha. This is an authentic novel that takes the reader into the Japanese culture of servitude and respect while showing the greed and jealousy that exists within this exotic world of the geisha. The book reads almost like a diary and I would call it an historical novel....not quite romance. Sayuri's story will take you into the Gion district of Koyoto, Japan. She will disclose her deepest desires, her dreams and her seductions. A fascinating story!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book gives you a peek inside another world. A really good read (much better than the movie).
Stacey C. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I can't say enough about this book. Beautiful story and I was very intrigued with the culture and what I learned about the lifestyle of Geishas. This is a great book. I was doubtful that it would hold my interest so I am glad I gave it a try. It definitely has become one of my favorites.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
loved it. Saw the movie first then read the book. Enjoyed seeing the structure of the female run business...the myth and truth of geisha as well as the bitter sweet story.
Katie K. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book, I could hardly put it down! Although fictional, the author got many of the facts from an actual geisha. It makes being a geisha seem so glamorous and dream-like, but then makes you pity them in ways as well.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
100000000000000000000 times better than the movie!!!! totally read this book, then watch the movie!!!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book! I read it years ago when it first came out. Of course the movie didn't do it justice, but I loved that too. Very interesting page turner about the life of a Geisha.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Enchanting! This is the best book I've read in a very long time... one of my new favorites.... I can't believe it took me this long to sit down with it, but I couldn't be more happy I did.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
In Memoirs of a Geisha. we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the hightest 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 unforgetable...
If you saw the movie, you must read the book..I recommend it highly..
Please Rate these Book Reviews
Beautiful story.. I couldn't put it down. I got to learn about some of the Japanese culture. I read this before the movie came out, so I was excited when I heard about it but of course, the movie didn't do justice.
The book had a deep story and it was very descriptive in every scene. It was way better than the movie.
I thought this was a great book. Beautifully written. Faciniating insight into the Japanese culture.
This is a very heart breaking story of two young girls & a family in need of money.Enough for the father to sell the girls into this life style.
I absolutely loved this book. I couldnt put it dowm. I found myself wanting to head home on new years eve instead of staying out and drinking to see how it ended! P.S. after reading the book the movie is very dissapointing.
There were some points where I was struggling to continue on, but I am very glad I stuck it out and finished it. It was fascinating.
An amazing book, better than the movie :D well written and a must read book!
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