Memoirs of a Geisha: The Literary Sensation and Runaway Bestseller

Great discussions were had on the Memoirs of Geisha-such an eye opener into another world following the life of nine year old Chiyo Sakamoto and how she was plummeted into her role as a geisha and what this entailed and how she has to accept this role in order to survive. Nothing is really much different for women unfortunately anywhere in the world in terms of women always getting the rougher deal.

Arthur Golden has certainly done an excellent job writing from the point of view of a Geisha ie a woman. This is probably because he got a first hand account from Mineko Iwasaki a geisha herself but allegedly twisted and exaggerated what she relayed as well as breaking her anonyminity. Not surprisingly she later sued Golden for defamation and wrote her own autobiography.
Nevertheless Memoirs of a Geisha is an excellent easy read into a world we know little of and even if not entirely accurate is a great starting point for anyone interested in the roles of geishas in Japan.

Memebers present gave it an average rating of 4.2/5.

Though Sayuri wanted this published as fictional story after her death it is one great Historical novel.
The book entailes the hardship of being a female in the early 20th century of Japan, 'Geisha' literally translated as artists are seen as entertainers within the Japanese culture but as High class prositute within the western culture. The story of Chiyo/Sayuri(Geisha name) had made me realise how lucky I am to be where I am today. Having to go through such mental strain at such a young age and not being able to truely be free from ownership of another human ( The Mother: Owner of the house of Geisha's) terrifys me of how life was different from now to then. In all the book by Arthur Golden is a must read for anyone in interest of the japanese culture.

The book entailed the hardship of being a female in the early 20th century of Japan, 'Geisha' literally translated as artists are seen as entertainers within the Japanese culture but as High class prositute within the western culture. The story of Chiyo/Sayuri(Geisha name) had made me realise how lucky I am to be where I am today. Having to go through such mental strain at such a young age and not being able to truely be free from ownership of another human ( The Mother: Owner of the house of Geisha's) terrifys me of how life was different from now to then. In all the book by Arthur Golden is a must read for anyone in interest of the japanese culture.

A book that brings tears to your heart ( since i'm a guy and don't cry obviously).
The biography based on this women who had her rights and morales stripped away from her makes you want to think if the world is as sane as you'd think. Though Chiyo/Sayuri's life was based back during the war and dispute between manchuria and Japan. Life was tough for women in Japan and as a beautiful women in the 20th century a reward for a life longs hard work was being able to become a Geisha. An artist/prostitute/independant was what many westerners thought but no one really understood what they were feeling and so i thouruoghly enjoyed getting to read how Arthur Golden was able to portray Sayuri/Chiyo's life.