Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

[kderse]

In the novel Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden we enter the world of the Geisha's Japan. We enter a world where appearance is everything and a Geisha's virginity is given to the highest bidder, where a Geisha's job is to entertain powerful men. Many say and I have to agree that is a powerful piece of fiction that completely draws you into until the very end and is never forgotten.

This book is a historical fiction and I recommend it for adults, as there are some sexual scenes.

From the moment I picked up this book I felt captivated. I felt sucked in like, Harry Potter was in the prisoner of Azkaban, when he sat down and wrote in Tom Riddle's Diary. I was inside the book watching this story come to life. I haven't read a book that captivated me like this in quite a while. Once again I picked up this book because of my 2015 reading challenge, this was a book based on a true story, which to be honest I do not know if that is true but is written as such. The author does a great job where it feels like you are watching it and not living it. Some readers will feel disconnected from the characters not being able to tell what they are feeling but I enjoyed the story being written in this way. The author also writes many nature analogies that will leave you in awe. It was a fantastic read and I am so happy to not only have to read it but to own a copy.

This book often led me to think about the culture of Japan. I live in a foreign country now and I am fascinated by different cultures. For example blue eyes, this is what made Sayuri set apart from all the other Geisha's. In Mexico I was at a wedding shower for my American friend who was getting ready to marry a Mexican and already everyone was telling her to have a baby with him and a baby that had blue eyes. I am not knowledgable on why people are captivated by blue eyes, myself, I have always had brown eyes but I found it interesting to have it so important in this book that Sayuri have blue eyes. Her eyes are probably mentioned at least in every chapter. After finding out this might not be based on a true story like the author makes us believe the entire book, it has caused me to realize the author had to do a ton of research or know a lot about the culture of Japan for the details he included in this book. Also he knew a lot about WWII and after and how the depression affected the Geisha as well. It was a fascinating book and moved at a steady pace.

Overall the Washington Post Book World said it best "Astonishing...breathtaking... You are seduced completely." I rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars.

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Memoirs of a Geisha