springdellgirl

Book Review #18






Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is a book that I have been wanting to read for a long time but just had not done it. When I joined my book club six years ago (Wow!) they had already read this book and I remember thinking that I would have to read it and somehow I just never did. I have even refused to watch the movie because I didn't want to spoil the book. Well I FINALLY did read it a few weeks ago and I loved it!!


In case anyone doesn't already know...this book takes place in 1930's Japan. It tells the story of Chiyo who as a child is sold to an okiya (a house for geisha). Strikingly pretty with her unusual blue-gray eyes to set her apart as unique Chiyo is trained to become a geisha and is renamed Sayuri. The story is told in the first-person and we are given a glimpse into the mysterious world of the geisha through Sayuri's eyes. The book begins when she is a small child and follows her life through old age. It also tells the story of her love of the man known only as "The Chairman".


I love the premise of this book...the author meets with an extraordinary former geisha who breaks the code of silence and tells him her story BUT at the end I did not like the premise at all and felt a bit betrayed by the author. Is that cryptic enough so as not to ruin anything for a would-be reader. I especially loved the writing...beautiful, haunting, and poetic. The writing was so amazing that the next book I moved onto felt flat and lifeless.


I would HIGHLY recommend this book. I give it a rating of: EXCELLENT


I am somewhat dreading watching the movie...I don't want this great book slaughtered Hollywood-style.



***Don't be alarmed by my music selection...I am not depressed. ;) I just really like this version of the song...AND...I REALLY liked the movie Donnie Darko!!***