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Memoirs of a Geisha: A Novel Paperback – January 10, 1999

by Arthur Golden (Author)

2,825 customer reviews

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A literary sensation and runaway bestseller, this brilliant debut novel tells with seamless authenticity and exquisite lyricism the true confessions of one of Japan's most celebrated geisha.

Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read

Speaking to us with the wisdom of age and in a voice at once haunting and startlingly immediate, Nitta Sayuri tells the story of her life as a geisha. It begins in a poor fishing village in 1929, when, as a nine-year-old girl with unusual blue-gray eyes, she is taken from her home and sold into slavery to a renowned geisha house. We witness her transformation as she learns the rigorous arts of the geisha: dance and music; wearing kimono, elaborate makeup, and hair; pouring sake to reveal just a touch of inner wrist; competing with a jealous rival for men's solicitude and the money that goes with it.

In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion. It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction—at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful—and completely unforgettable.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Astonishing . . . breathtaking . . . You are seduced completely." —Washington Post Book World

"Captivating, minutely imagined . . . a novel that refuses to stay shut." —Newsweek

"A story with the social vibrancy and narrative sweep of a much-loved 19th century bildungsroman. . . . This is a high-wire act. . . . Rarely has a world so closed and foreign been evoked with such natural assurance." —The New Yorker

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A literary sensation and runaway bestseller, this brilliant debut novel tells with seamless authenticity and exquisite lyricism the true confessions of one of Japan's most celebrated geisha.
Speaking to us with the wisdom of age and in a voice at once haunting and startlingly immediate, Nitta Sayuri tells the story of her life as a geisha. It begins in a poor fishing village in 1929, when, as a nine-year-old girl with unusual blue-gray eyes, she is taken from her home and sold into slavery to a renowned geisha house. We witness her transformation as she learns the rigorous arts of the geisha: dance and music; wearing kimono, elaborate makeup, and hair; pouring sake to reveal just a touch of inner wrist; competing with a jealous rival for men's solicitude and the money that goes with it.
In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion. It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction--at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful--and completely unforgettable.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product details

Paperback: 434 pages
Publisher: Vintage; Vintage contemporaries ed edition (January 10, 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0679781587
ISBN-13: 978-0679781585
Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1 x 7.9 inches
Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 2,825 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,492 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #191 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical > Biographical
- #733 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Contemporary
- #3034 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Literary

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Pezerry

My favorite book!

October 5, 2016

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

No, really, it is. I will read this book nearly every year for the rest of my life.
The story of Saiyuri is a very detailed one, and how she came to be a geisha. The (fictional) biographical novel of a geisha is definitely a wonderful read. I love all things Japanese, and this book is a great insight into the world, as it is well researched and well written. In some places it is like a story, and in others it is like reading an encyclopedia of Japanese culture, and the two mix so well together that it is almost unnoticeable. The characters are believable, and each ones follows their path in life and you know where most of them land. That is definitely good story-telling.
Moreover, the book is also going to draw you into a life story you will want to know about, even if you saw the movie first (like me). believe me, the movie has nothing on the book. It only gives you a visual for what the world looks like. The true depth of the book is much deeper, stronger and more drawn out in a way that the reader will find most enjoyable.

21 people found this helpful

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KarenWby

Absolutely wondrous

February 27, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Recently I watched the movie again, and then read about it, and was intrigued to read a man had written it AND it was his first book. So of course I had to Edward the book. It was even better than the movie. Interesting to me that the geishas voice changed, matured, even as she added years to her life. I was richly blessed by the reading of this book. Thank you, Mr. Golden, for writing it.

8 people found this helpful

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Jess K.

A Classic

March 8, 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Unfortunately, I admit I haven't read this book in twenty or so years and I imagined it reading the same. I couldn't have been more wrong! It's so much more heartbreaking, intriguing and entertaining than when I was younger. There was so much I thought I understood back then that now I appreciate.

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Kanchana Bandara

An Immersive Experience

January 20, 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This was the first book selected by the book club I was invited to join at the start of the year. From the first page I was hooked on the beautiful evocative descriptions of people, places and situations. The story is essential the life story of a little girl from a poor fishing village in Japan who finds herself taken to the Trisha district known as Gion , where she overcomes loss of family and the loss of the life of her childhood, and learns the art of being a geisha. We hear the story from Sayuri at the age of 80 years or so, remembering her life and how she came to be where she is today.
As I said the descriptions alone are enough to make this a worthwhile read. But the story itself is also full of schemes and intrigue, and shadowy unknown benefactors that influence the course of the protagonist's life with small actions that have tremendous impact. It is also a story of true love, as well as a story about the strength and struggles of women in Japan . It allows the reader to become part of a different culture and way of being...and of appreciating that the two layers of Japanese culture: the surface story as illustrated by the beauty and grace of the geishas versus the broken, harsh, and grimy circumstances that produce the geishas. All of this combines to give a thoroughly absorbing reading experience that leaves one feeling a little richer inside for having completed the book.
It was a great book to start off my year and I would recommend it to anyone interested in appreciating gender and culture issues from a different perspective., and to any reader who appreciates a well written tale.

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Tash50Tash50

One of my favorite books of any genre

April 20, 2013

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

This is an amazing piece of literature. I say literature as a high form of praise. Books can be found by the millions. Perhaps thousands will make an impression on you of one sort or another, yet far fewer will imprint themselves upon you with everlasting images and emotions. And far fewer still will remain on that elusive book shelf in your heart as well as your brain. For me this is one of those full experience reads which will be on my heart and intellects shelf/soul.

This is a powerful book that defies genre. While many classify it as a love story, I feel that falls far short. It has a love story in it but also personal strife, adversity, coming of age, over coming obstacles and acceptance of the cards life deals you. It also is a richly woven historical piece which grandly painted imagery of the time and location. If you enjoy Japanese history, geisha, differences in cultures, this also has something for you.

The faceted story weaves seamlessly many themes and morales with its prose like writing in places without odious or tedious repetition or pretentiousness.

It is a breathtaking story which begs to be told yet flows flawlessly. I couldn't stop reading. I truly can't recommend this book highly enough.

Its attributes are many. To name a few, flawless writing, descriptions as if you were there, intriguing dialogue, period perfection, a perfectly structured story with clear lines and directions, yet not so much so that you don't have surprises. Also it succeeds amazingly in capturing your interest and those of the characters. I felt very invested in their stories. This book touches emotional nerves and exposes the best and worst of human nature in a true depiction of that world at that time.

This book also ignited my interest on several aspects which led my to further non fiction reading. What a compliment. The author did his job wonderfully with research and of course tying it together for the reader. I will never see the movie as there is no way it could capture or come close to the scene presented to us in this book. Some works can never be improved upon and I feel this surely falls into this category.

Reading this book is a must. I've read it too many times to count and each is as enriching as the previous trips. I can't imagine too many people won't fall in love with this book.

SHORT NON SPOILER PLOT SUMMARY: The story of a girl's life in 1920ish Japan as she is sold from her family into a geisha district. The story spans at least 45 years but centers on her evolution as well as historical and political events going on around her which impact her life's journey. You can probably find a better summary but I don't want to give anything else away as it is part of the allure of the story.

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