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Memoirs of a Geisha

Arthur Golden

Start date: July 1, 2018

Finish date: July 31, 2018

Discussion: Group Reads

Why we're reading this: July 2018 Completest Book Club Selection
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What Members Thought

Aug 27, 2018 Matthew rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: completist-book-club, 2018, kindle, historical-fiction, library

This one is going to be a bit difficult for me to review. I enjoyed it, but it was kinda weird. It was interesting, but kind of slow. The historical fiction aspect is interesting, but I have seen many reviews critical of the actual truth of it all.

The pros:
- Very good storytelling - Each chapter was its own short story and I found it easy to read and stay interested.
- Characters - I was invested in the characters. In fact, I was so invested I could feel my loathing for one of the bad characters This one is going to be a bit difficult for me to review. I enjoyed it, but it was kinda weird. It was interesting, but kind of slow. The historical fiction aspect is interesting, but I have seen many reviews critical of the actual truth of it all.

The pros:
- Very good storytelling - Each chapter was its own short story and I found it easy to read and stay interested.
- Characters - I was invested in the characters. In fact, I was so invested I could feel my loathing for one of the bad characters curdling in my very soul. It's usually a good sign when you want to reach into the book and smack a character.
- The setting and the history - it was fascinating to learn about Geisha culture in pre-WWII Japan and how different it is from anything in American history.

The Cons
- This one may not be fair because it is probably historically accurate, but the Geisha culture made all the male characters seem like creepers. So, even when there is one you are supposed to like or who is supposed to be a hero, you know that he is all about pre-pubescent, up-and-coming Geisha and hoping to be able to deflower as many as possible. Just skews things a bit.
- Kind of slow - even thought I thought the storytelling was great, there were a few times where it started to drag and I was ready to move on to the next part of the story.
- Accuracy - Without Goodreads, I would have probably never have known this, but it seems there is some question as to the accuracy of the account in this book. Often, other, more reliable titles are suggested. But, was this supposed to be a non-fiction memoir, a story based on some facts surrounding the Geisha culture but equal parts fact and fiction, or just a completely made up story? I am not completely sure, but it should provide some interesting follow up research.

So, I am going to go with 4 stars because it was an interesting story and despite some slow spots and creepers, it was pretty entertaining. Also, questions/controversy over its accuracy might actually raise the entertainment value! ...more

191 likes · Like · see review

Oct 02, 2016 Michael Finocchiaro rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: pulp-fiction

Totally derivative. Read the original from Inoué (Mémoires d'une geisha and not this orientalist trash. It is as if Dan Brown or, worse, EL James was writing about Japan. Zero character depth, gross stereotypes and just complete garbage. This is just Golden exploiting a voyeuristic fantasy and nothing more. ...more

29 likes · Like · see review

Oct 29, 2014 ~☆~Autumn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I lived in Japan when I was 4 and 5 and I thought geisha were the most beautiful things that there were/are. On Girl's Day I was so glad to get a kimono and be allowed to wear red lipstick. For part of our time there we lived in the Emperor's Old Palace grounds which were very beautiful. Everything there had a big influence on my life.

I own the movie which is very beautiful. It takes me back! ...more

16 likes · Like · see review