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

by Arthur Golden (Author)

4.6 18,329 ratings

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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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Print length

434 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Vintage
Publication date

January 10, 1999
Dimensions

5.15 x 0.94 x 8 inches
ISBN-10

0679781587
ISBN-13

978-0679781585
Lexile measure

1000L
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Customer reviews

18,329 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book captivating, riveting, and interesting. They describe the writing quality as beautiful, detailed, and exquisitely real. Readers praise the storytelling as rich, fascinating, and fantastic. They say the book draws them in and keeps them engaged. They also mention the pacing is decent and moving. Readers appreciate the wonderfully developed characters and the emotional content.

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Readability Written quality Story quality Entrancing Pacing Character development Emotional content Romance

612 customers mention "Readability"594 positive18 negative

Customers find the book captivating, riveting, and interesting. They say it's wonderful, filled with picturesque life lessons, and beautifully written. Readers also mention the story is entertaining.

"...Also it succeeds amazingly in capturing your interest and those of the characters. I felt very invested in their stories...." Read more

"...was a woman with so much potential--she's beautiful, intelligent, insightful--and she is trained to be manipulative, deceitful, and opportunistic...." Read more

"This book was everything, an introduction to Japan in the 1930's...." Read more

"...The scenes in the okiya are Golden's most meticulous and accomplished, especially as Chiyo undergoes a grueling apprenticeship and competes with the..." Read more

240 customers mention "Written quality"227 positive13 negative

Customers find the book beautifully told, detailed, and relatable. They also appreciate the author's research and perfectly structured story. Readers mention it's an easy read.

"...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..." Read more

"...The scenes in the okiya are Golden's most meticulous and accomplished, especially as Chiyo undergoes a grueling apprenticeship and competes with the..." Read more

"...’s great gift is his ability to bring to life characters who are so complete and distinctive...." Read more

"...It is written in a very soft motif with gentle mental imagery...." Read more

158 customers mention "Story quality"143 positive15 negative

Customers find the storytelling rich, well-paced, and fascinating. They say the story is full of schemes and intrigue. Readers describe the characters as real and unique. They also mention the book is provocative from beginning to end.

"...The plot is truly a page-turner; Golden also writes in lush detail about every aspect of Japan's geisha culture...." Read more

"...is strongly recommended both as fiction and an essential ingredient of Japan's cultural history." Read more

"...Golden's storytelling is rich and well-paced. He is absolutely brilliant in his description of the customs and rituals of the geisha...." Read more

"...The best part of this book is its detailed descriptions of all things geisha, from makeup to hair to clothing to ceremonies to education to housing..." Read more

62 customers mention "Entrancing"53 positive9 negative

Customers find the book captivating, entertaining, and engaging. They say it draws them in with its imagery and gives the experience an extra touch. Readers also mention the story is fascinating, inspiring, and full of magic.

"...young Chiyo and her life leading up to becoming a geisha are absolutely enchanting and I simply could not put the book down...." Read more

"......" Read more

"...It is as captivating as i remember...." Read more

"I found this book to be completely captivating...." Read more

50 customers mention "Pacing"38 positive12 negative

Customers find the book decently paced, moving, and quick. They say it flows well and is breath-taking. Readers also mention the story is deeply felt and will transport them to a time and place they would otherwise be lost in.

"...Golden's storytelling is rich and well-paced. He is absolutely brilliant in his description of the customs and rituals of the geisha...." Read more

"...It's breath-taking...." Read more

"This book was a very easy and quick read. Very detailed, so much so that I felt that I was shadowing a Geisha and entertaining in tea houses...." Read more

"A little slow but very well written. Could picture the scene and time easily. Amazing how much fortitude people of that era had." Read more

46 customers mention "Character development"42 positive4 negative

Customers find the characters wonderful, useful, and endearing. They also say the book is plot-driven and character-driven.

"...The supporting cast is phenomonal and endearing as well...." Read more

"...And I loved it! Couldn’t put it down.The characters were very real to me and the life they led was so unique...." Read more

"...the book is so well written, the character development is very good. you really understand who the characters are and why they do what they do...." Read more

"...The characters are believable, and each ones follows their path in life and you know where most of them land...." Read more

27 customers mention "Emotional content"23 positive4 negative

Customers find the book sad, emotional, and poetic. They say it's enough to make them cry and smile. Readers also appreciate the right amount of sadness and humor.

"...to see these plots because they are predictable and there is a feel-good quality to them...." Read more

"...A sad and emotional journey that felt like a Cinderella story without finding her prince...." Read more

"...It opened my eyes to many things which were both disturbing and beautiful. Overall, this book is by far my #1 reading...." Read more

"...and, unusual for the protagonist, is so real that it is easy to have strong feelings toward her as though she was a living, breathing person...." Read more

21 customers mention "Romance"21 positive0 negative

Customers find the romance in the book sweet, colorful, and with surprises along the way. They also appreciate the story of struggles, passion, and love.

"...It is also a story of true love, as well as a story about the strength and struggles of women in Japan ...." Read more

"A beautiful story of perseverance, love, culture defined. A showing of personal strength, working a lifetime to reap your rewards." Read more

"...An excruciatingly poignant story of love as true as any love of man and woman could be but is rarely allowed to exist in a novel...." Read more

"...This is at times a heartbreaking romance, a wartime drama, and a pseudo autobiography of a little girl destined for great things...." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

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Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2024

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A classic and it did not disappoint

One of my favorite books of any genre

Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2013

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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.

16 people found this helpful

E. G MCCANDLESS

Wonderful book, saccharin aftertaste

Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2000

Verified Purchase

A commentator has said that this is a book that seems to stay open. It's absolutely true! I first had an interest in reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" because I have never read a novel about Japanese culture before, and I wanted to learn more about it from an author who had studied it in-depth. Once I started, I couldn't put the book down until I finished it a few days later. The story of Sayuri's life as a geisha in Japan around the time of WWII is engrossing, fascinating, and at times disturbing.
"Memoirs" chronicles the life of Sayuri (as narrated by her to a fictional biographer), and how she goes from rags to riches, from riches to rags, and back again to riches. The plot is truly a page-turner; Golden also writes in lush detail about every aspect of Japan's geisha culture. However, Sayuri's development throughout her life, while believable, was disheartening. Here was a woman with so much potential--she's beautiful, intelligent, insightful--and she is trained to be manipulative, deceitful, and opportunistic. Not that this is surprising, based on the environments and upbringing she experiences. It could be argued that she made the most out of her circumstances; she took the hand she was dealt and then beat the dealer at his own game. Still, the reviews that compare Golden with authors like Austen and Dickens ring hollow when you examine the progress of a David Copperfield or an Elizabeth Bennett, who rise above their circumstances and whose individual characters are refined and brought to a higher level of integrity and morality--the opposite, in my opinion, of Sayuri's.
As other readers have commented, the ending was a little to "neat" for me. I felt betrayed by the Chairman's reaction to Sayuri's last desparate act; indeed he seemed to condone the notion that the end justifies the means--go for what you want, and break the rules of ethics if necessary. Sayuri's lowest, most contemptible moment with the Minister is rewarded with a happy ending. Now I sound now like I'm not recommending this book--I do, heartily! But be forewarned, the ultimate message of this book is one that is very lonely and spiritually devoid: rely on yourself, because God and man alike will fail you.

10 people found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2024

Verified Purchase

This book was everything, an introduction to Japan in the 1930's. Learning how geisha are essentially sold into slavery, for some it was their salvation. I kept hoping...

Top reviews from other countries

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Julliana Sobrinho

Belíssimo

Reviewed in Brazil on February 9, 2024

Verified Purchase

Comprei uma edição usada, e amei o produto. Adoro livros antigos, amarelados. Valeu muito a pena, tanto por isso quanto pelo conteúdo do livro, que é uma história incrível. A entrega foi rápida e o livro veio muito bem embalado.

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Judy Adams

Memories of a Geisha

Reviewed in Canada on June 8, 2023

Verified Purchase

Very interesting book

IriniAm

Great book

Reviewed in the Netherlands on October 28, 2024

Verified Purchase

Loved it

C.E

Beautifully written

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 14, 2024

Verified Purchase

I have read Memoirs of a Geisha 3 times now. It’s a very rare thing that I come back and re-read a book.

The imagery of this book is breathtaking. The descriptions transport you to Gion and into the world of Chiyo/Sayuri.

A story of coming of age, transition and growth. There is sadness, triumph, overcoming adversity and joy. I cannot recommend this book enough to those who are curious about the mysterious world of geisha and Japanese history and culture.

ru-kr

Memoirs of a Geisha

Reviewed in Germany on January 8, 2024

Verified Purchase

Habe den Film gesehen und wollte mir jetzt mit dem Buch die Bilder nochmal aufrufen.

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