Memoirs of Geisha

Author: Aurthur Golden

Tone of book? - upbeat

Time/era of story - 1930's-1950's

Romance/Romance Problems Yes

Inside culture (main char) - Japanese

Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Outside culture (society) - Japanese

Woman's story? Yes

(Courtesy: Allreaders)

Speaking frankly, I bought this book because of the catchy cover. They say in America ‘Don’t judge a book by the cover’. But that is exactly what I did. I felt when the cover looks so exotic; the book must be worth a try and Lo! I landed up with one of the best books I will ever read in my life.

Memoirs of a Geisha, Is more of an autobiography of a small girl Chiyu, who by fate has been sold to Gion (more of a prostitute house) along with her sister and then begins her turbulent journey to become one of the most cherished Geisha of all times - Nitta Sayuri San. The book is very intelligently written and once started you wouldn’t rest it till you finish the last page.

On one hand, the author Arthur Golden tries to explain Japan during the world war II as seen by the eyes of a small girl and the transformations it goes through her life period. On the other hand he very intricately explains the feelings of the girl towards her sister, Satsu; her delicate animosity filled relationship with Mameha, her love for the chairman and her confused relationship with Nobu, who wishes to be her danna. The book further goes on to explain the difficult times of world war and how she braved them with the help of the chairman, her guardian angel.

It is Japan like never before.

My Kudos to the author Arthur Golden, who despite being an American has explained Japan and Japanese culture in such mesmerizing words.

My Suggestion, at the very immediate opportunity, go grab this book and get started.

Teasers :My Favourite Quotes from the book

"Adversity is like a strong wind. I don't mean just that it holds us back from places we might otherwise go. It also tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that afterward we see ourselves as we really are, and not merely as we might like to be."

"This is why dreams can be such dangerous things: they smolder on like a fire does, and sometimes they consume us completely."

"Sometimes we get through adversity only by imagining what the world might be like if our dreams should ever come true."

"I dont think any of us can speak frankly about pain until we are no longer enduring it."

"We lead our lives like water flowing down a hill, going more or less in one direction until we splash into something that forces us to find a new course"

"I had to wonder if men were so blinded by beauty that they would feel privileged to live their lives with an actual demon, so long as it was a beautiful demon."

"Whatever our struggles and triumphs, however we may suffer them, all too soon they bleed into a wash, just like watery ink on paper."

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