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- ISBN13: 9781400096893
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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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.From the Trade Paperback edition.
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Reviews:
A Wonderful Novel!
This is an extremely well-written novel that kept me captivated from the very beginning. "Memoirs of a Geisha" follows the story of a young woman who experienced many misfortunes throughout her life, who overcame many trials to improve her status in the world, and who ultimately achieved what she wanted most. I loved the overall plot and descriptiveness of the book, especially since I was reading about a completely different culture (Japanese) than my own. I also loved this novel because it showed the life of a Geisha and what being a Geisha meant - the book detailed all the training they underwent, schooling, what was important, how the world viewed them. This book was full with drama and action, and I couldn't put it down the first time I read it!
Memorable
I adore this book. This was my second time reading it and I had forgotten how moving it is. I loved Sayuri, Mameha, Nobu and the Chairman and loved to hate Hatsumomo. The characters are all so complex and real and wonderful. I am amazed that this is written by a man, because he captures the thoughts and feelings of a woman in this time and place just exactly how I imagine they really were.
Dear Arthur Golden, could you please write another book already? It has been 12 years and that is wicked ridiculous.
Rich characters, interesting time and place
Read the book (twice actually) and was impressed with the rich wonderful descriptions of the environment and characters. An introduction to the pre-WWII Japanese culture.
I also have to comment that I thought the movie was faithful to the book. I specially enjoyed Ziyi Zhang's performance as Sayuri.
A fascinating journey into the life of a Geisha
I started reading this book at the airport, couldn't get into it as easily, my first trip was to California, the usual trip for work, and by then I had gotten more into the story of this poor miserable Sayuri girl. Then I was on my way to Japan where the story takes place, and what's more, I actually visited Gion and I was reading the book during all this time, and I finished it on the train from Kyoto to Tokyo. It made an amazing impression on me as the story went on and I can't tell you what an effect it had when reading it in the country where it was set. I do recommend it, and I can't wait to watch the movie.
Beautifully written
The first time I read this, about a year after it came out, I was not aware of the controversy that surrounded Mr. Golden's work due to the inaccuracies in this book. I'm sure that by now most people know of the controversies and what not, so I won't get into that. I didn't learn of the mistakes/inaccuracies until after I read the book a second time, and even then, Mr. Golden has a fantastic and smooth writing style, with good details and dialogue, so this book is still a highly enjoyable read, just don't use this book as a completely accurate factual source on the world of geisha.
