Memoirs of a Geisha in Reading Challenges

Apr 11, 2013 Elena rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: reviewed, owned, to-re-read, historical-fiction, 2013

Memoirs of a geisha is one of those books which make you forget all about your life and transports you in another world. This is, in my opinion, the best characteristic a book can have: and even if this world is not completely realistic (as many reviewers said), I still found it convincing enough to completely lose myself in the story.

The book follows the main character, Chiyo/Sayuri, through her whole life, focusing especially on her experience as a geisha. She goes through a lot, and her situ Memoirs of a geisha is one of those books which make you forget all about your life and transports you in another world. This is, in my opinion, the best characteristic a book can have: and even if this world is not completely realistic (as many reviewers said), I still found it convincing enough to completely lose myself in the story.

The book follows the main character, Chiyo/Sayuri, through her whole life, focusing especially on her experience as a geisha. She goes through a lot, and her situation changes constantly: from poor girl to famous geisha, passing through the horrors of the Second World War, which is described briefly but sensibly. She meets a lot of unforgettable characters, from the beautiful but ruthless Hatsumomo to the elegant and mysterious Mameha. The only fixed point of her life (well, most of it) is the love she feels for the Chairman, the only man who showed her kindness during her darkest days.

It is very easy to identify with Sayuri. She speaks honestly and simply, but sometimes she has truly fascinating thoughts that really strike you. Her life, of course, is very different from that of the reader's, but still she speaks of feelings and situations that everyone has experienced, like the pain of loss or of unrequited love.

However, I was not completely happy with Sayuri, mostly because I thought she was too much naive in several occasions; not when she was a child, which of course was understandable, but when she was already an experienced woman and still made some incredibly stupid mistakes, like asking Pumpkin for such a huge favor when the two of them had not been friends in years.

Another thing I found a little disappointing was the ending: I was pleasantly surprised that (view spoiler)

All things considered, however, I was completely happy with this book. I highly recommend it to everyone.
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Jan 21, 2014 Luisa rated it liked it · review of another edition

"Memorie di una geisha" racconta la storia di Chiyo, ragazzina povera venduta dal padre al signor Tanaka il quale, ergendosi a benefattore, affiderà la piccola ad un okiya affinché la rendano una geisha. La storia è raccontata da una Chiyo ormai anziana, che ripercorre così la sua vita.
Il libro è scritto benissimo: nella prima parte ne ho adorato le metafore, le similitudini, mai banali,mai stucchevoli. Poi, secondo me, ha un momento di stallo: poco sviluppo della storia, un po'di ripetitività. ...more

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Jan 10, 2015 Giorgia Battel rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romanzi, recensiti, orient-express

Recensione pubblicata su La Biblioteca di Amarganta

Ho adorato questo libro. Si vede che è scritto da un occidentale (almeno credo) però nel contempo è assolutamente vivido e realistico. Sembra vero. Lo stile è accattivante e piacevole, ogni volta che alzavo gli occhi dal libro mi aspettavo quasi di trovarmi tra ciliegi e case da tè, è incredibilmente evocativo. I personaggi sono fantastici, crudi nei loro desideri e nei loro comportamenti. Il finale mi ha un po’ lasciato l’amaro in bocca…non per ...more

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