Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is a beautifully written book details the life of a woman, from childhood to old age, as a Geisha. The story of Chiyo/Sayuri as poor child in a little fishing village who was sold to work in an 'okia' or house that trained geisha to entertain at the tea houses in Gilon, on the outskirts of Kyoto, from the 1920's through post WWII Japan.

This book tells of the everyday events of the geisha, their apprentices, teachers, and maids. It gives us a peak at the hardships they endured, the pain they suffered, but also the endurance they showed, the hope that kept them alive.

This is a complex story: it has much beauty but does not shy away from showing us the ugliness. The petty jealousies of the geisha and apprentices and the harm they did; the politics of the geisha in procuring a sponsor, or 'dona' for monetary support; the changes that came with the coming of WWII and the inevitable devastation and the restoration after the war with the American occupation. The end reminds us that all of humanity experiences these stages in life: the struggles, the pain, the hope, and the promise of happiness.

I appreciated this book. The words flowed beautifully and the characters were artfully presented. The story made me thoughtful and contemplative. I recommend this book for mature (over fifteen years old)readers because of adult themes.