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Title: Memoirs of a Geisha : A Novel by Arthur Golden ISBN: 0-679-78158-7 Publisher: Vintage Books Pub. Date: 10 January, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.35 (1910 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Lovely, wonderful, magnificent...
Comment: ...those are just a few words that I would use to describe Memoirs of a Geisha. The narration is stunning, and the character of Sakamoto Chiyo/Sayuri Nitta completely believable. I couldn't believe that this was a work of fiction written by an American man.
The writing draws you in; once you pick up the book, you literally cannot put it down. But when you're done, it feels like everything was over too quickly; the last few chapters and the ending definitely could have been longer; it also wasn't the way I would have liked it to end, but that's life, I guess. Besides, critics of the book have made that a major point, and I won't go into it. If you want criticism, read another review; this one gives only praise for Memoirs.
The plot is engaging and interesting, and the details more so; it interested me enough in geisha to buy Liza Dalby's book, Geisha, and to recommend the book to all of my friends.
Sayuri's life is interesting; characterization is good. The writing is also excellent, and very descriptive; by the time you're done, it feels as if you've met Sayuri. The novel is now one of my favorites, and I heartily recommend it. Buy it now!
Also recommended: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Rating: 3
Summary: Intellectually Successful; Emotionally Lacking
Comment: Golden's novel provides a detailed description of the life of a geisha, opening the door on an aspect of Japanese culture I knew nothing about. His descriptions are crisp and his writing style is often poetic. As such, readers will no doubt find it a fascinating and flowing adventure into a different world. The journey is made through the eyes of the female protagonist, Sayuri, who is recounting how she came to be a geisha. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to become emotionally involved with the characters, especially Sayuri. While I would have to reread the novel to give it an informed feminist reading, my casual reader response was one of offense. Sayuri's character lacks the nuances of a woman's perspective, and as such her character remains flat. For example, while Sayuri spends much of her time dwelling on a man she doesn't know (waiting to be saved by him), the demise of her family, the loss of her sister, is quickly explained, dismissed, and left emotionally unexplored. Further, for a novel so centered on a community of women oppressed by a male culture, the lack of any authentic female bonding being honestly conveyed is a critical flaw. The memoir narrative style may serve as an explanation for a certain emotional detachment that holds the listener/reader at a distance, but, because this is a world foreign to most readers, more emotional resonance was needed to give the story lasting impact.
Rating: 5
Summary: The sad thing about it is . . .
Comment: This is the tale of a nine-year-old girl who is sold into slavery, along with her sister. The sad thing about this is, most people don't realize that this type of thing still goes on in certain parts of the world.
Arthur Golden has truly given us a "gift" with this great book. First of all, it's a great story, wonderfully told. Secondly, the book could stand alone on just the quality of writing. Thirdly, the book is moving and well paced. These are not qualities that come along every day. Of the many books I read each year, only a handful have this quality. Martel's "The Life of Pi" comes to mind, as does McCrae's "The Bark of the Dogwood." Other than that, not too many manage to marry these qualities into a successful bestseller.
If you're looking for an emotional read that actually takes you someplace you've never been (hopefully) this is the book for you.
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Title: The Red Tent by Anita Diamant ISBN: 0312195516 Publisher: Picador USA Pub. Date: 15 September, 1998 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier ISBN: 0452282152 Publisher: Plume Pub. Date: 08 January, 2001 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel by Barbara Kingsolver ISBN: 0060930535 Publisher: Perennial Pub. Date: 01 October, 1999 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Geisha : A Life by Mineko Iwasaki ISBN: 0743444299 Publisher: Washington Square Press Pub. Date: 01 October, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: Autobiography of a Geisha by Sayo Masuda, G. G. Rowley ISBN: 0231129505 Publisher: Columbia University Press Pub. Date: 15 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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