Title: Memoirs of a Geisha
Author: Arthur Golden
Publisher: Vintage contemporaries ed edition
Paperback: 448 pages
ISBN: 0679781587
When I first heard about this book, I did not care to pick it up to read. Matter a fact, I never expected to read it. I guess I was hesitant to waste my time on a so called “Woman’s Novel”. Im glad my wife asked for “QT” (quality time) and we watched the movie last weekend. The storyline caught my interest, and I decided to read the book despite the “Woman’s Novel” label.
I must admit that I was extremely impressed with it. This work of literature is an instant classic. A true masterpiece. After reading the book, I completely understood why the critics were so hard on the motion picture. They were right on the money when they said that the movie did not do the book much justice. The book was 100 times better than the film. I just felt that the film left out so many important elements that made the book a bestseller.
The story itself was not just captivating, it was inspirational. It portrayed the struggle of a young child, sold into slavery to become one of Japan’s most well respected and revered geishas. I do want you to know that the story was not flawless. I was pretty disappointed with the ending. However, dont let that stop you from reading this book. It still gets a strong 4/5 rating from me. Its worth the time.
Book Synopsis:
Set in a mysterious and exotic world which still casts a potent spell today, the story begins in the years before World War II, when a Japanese child is torn from her penniless family to work as a servant in a geisha house. Despite a treacherous rival who nearly breaks her spirit, the girl blossoms into the legendary geisha Sayuri. Beautiful and accomplished, Sayuri captivates the most powerful men of her day, but is haunted by her secret love for the one man (Ken Watanabe) who is out of her reach.
Offtopic: I need to find time to re-read “The Da Vinci Code”. Movie is coming out soon!! Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon should be interesting.
1st: love the new header. 2nd: It’s a shame how many men don’t want to read books because it’s a “chick book”, but you did, and I think that’s pretty tight. 3rd: Now you wanna make me buy the book.
I’m glad you liked it!
Now you know why I was making such a huge deal about how much I loved the book a few months ago!
It’s on my list of favorites!
my mom says its a good book, so im thinking about reading it too.
Why were you disappointed with the ending? How did you want it to end?
I dont know. It was too Hollywood for me car. I could probrably explain it to you better than that,a but I dont want to leave spoilers. The book was really good. I just thought the ending was too good to be true…
The first time I tried to read “Memoirs..” I could not finish it because I got so depressed. I haven’t attempted it since. Even though the movie has come and gone from the theaters, I still haven’t picked it back up. But I have heard the movie was sensational, so I just might risk getting depressed over it again.
Nice site, btw! I’m digging the design, and of course, the entries. =)
I thought the movie was great. I’ll have to check out the book if it is that much better.
Your site is looking really great! I love what you’ve done.