Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden - Restarting May 3rd 2017

[Tessa]

Description: "In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion. It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction - at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful - and completely unforgettable."

Me and Sadie are reading this. Feel free to join us! :)

[Tessa]

Sadie wrote: "I know we don't start this until tomorrow, but I was wondering if you wouldn't mind reading this book in chapters? I have a few other buddy reads going on, and sometimes it's hard trying to read at..."

Sound great! I'm also having the same problem. I've looked through the book and the chapters are not that short so 5 ch per day sounds good :) .

[Tessa]

Sadie wrote: "I barely made it past two chapters today! I have way too many buddy reads, haha. Want to shorten it to 2-3 chapters a day since we both have so many buddy reads going on? Especially since the chapt..."

Ha, I read 3! But yeah, for now. We can speed it up when we get more free or the book becomes too interesting to put down :D .

[Tessa]

Chapter 1-6
(view spoiler)[I'm also enjoying this so far. Quite a lot actually! ^^ I think this is far better than the movie. All the descriptions, the wonderful art of make-up for a geisha was so well described. Here's an author that really did his research and didn't just use Wikipedia to write his books.

About Hatsumomo, i don't really hate her. I think she's a character that should be pitied. Living in a world where the only important thing is your beauty can dehumanize a person. If your success is based solely on how you look and how well you can lie to men than why even bother to have a good personality.

I know the the good in humans is the thing that makes us fell self-fulfilled and that obtaining them gives us a happiness like no other, but if we are surrounded only by shallow people we just might not get the feeling that we need that.

Chiyo couldn't say no, she was going to pay for it one way or another. If she would have not destroyed the kimono Hatsumomo would have found something else (trust me, mean girls are nothing if not creative when it comes to doing something bad to someone else). I think this is her first initiation into getting her "tick skin" ^^. (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

Sorry, haven't had time to read more. But will get back to you/this ASAP! @.@

[Tessa]

Sadie wrote: "Don't worry about it! Take your time. I have a ton of books I'm reading, so I'm taking some (like this one) slow."

Please do, thank you! :*

[Tessa]

Chapter 7-13
(view spoiler)["I am really loving this book! My grandma has been trying to get me to read this and anything having to deal with Japanese culture for years."
I love japanese culture. Shogun used to be my favorite book when I was little. After I read books about Japan by Japanese I noticed the difference and I understood that I liked the later better. But this book is so amazing I can actually confuse it for a book written by a Japanese.

"As I keep reading I can see that she is cruel to people in order to feel better. It seems it's the only way she knows how to deal with her feelings. It's no excuse, but now I understand why you pity her character. It's just plain sad. Being beautiful isn't the key to happiness."
Yup, it's really not. Just think of all the shallow girls that do everything in order to look like the celebrities in magazines. The highlight of their life is going to be before their 30es when they will somehow (if they are lucky) manage to feel beautiful. After that, their life will have no meaning if they won't be able to afford Botox and other methods to look younger. I can't imagine how these sort of people don't end up turning bitter in the end since this sort of pursuit can't bring you happiness or any sort of meaning to your life. I'm sorry for Pumpkin, she would have been better of with another sister.

I'm happy Chiyo managed to get Mameha's help. In a way, if it wasn't for Matsumomo's hatefulness she never would have gotten the chance to be instructed by such a skillful geisha. Just to show that whatever bad people do to you, it will one day turn against them and reward you for your suffering, you just need to be patient and never give up :) . I do think that bet is going to make it so much harder for her :( .

"There is so much I am learning that I didn't understand when I watched the movie. The author has done a fabulous job with is book. I am very much enjoying it so far."
This book is a piece of art. I'm ashamed that because of the movie I never considered to try this one. The movie was a little boring to be honest, because it was more about her love story than what it really means to be a geisha. Unlike the movie, this book is truly amazing :) . (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

Chapter 14-20
(view spoiler)[This book is only getting better. How is that possible? I was expecting to be bored by now with all the details about what it means to be a geisha, but i'm not @.@.

Mameha's plan was pretty interesting and I'm sad to see that Matsumomo managed to ruin that as well, but not all is lost. Right now, I hope that Mother doesn't adopt Pumpkin. Not because she's a bad girl, but she'll never have the courage to trow Matsumomo out and she really needs to be kicked out!

I can't understand her infatuation with a man so much older than herself, but I guess it's different in Japan. I also hope Matsumomo's scheming well turn against her soon. (hide spoiler)]

[Tessa]

So, I finished this one. It was amazing. I'll be waiting for you to get back here and discuss XD.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting April 1st 2015. Happy Reading ☺

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[Jamie]

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[I can't figure out the sister based on the description very well. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[Guess Tanaka wasn't such a great guy after all for her. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[Special school for geisha-in-training girls? Interesting. (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[loved reading how the kimono is put on! (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapter 9 (view spoiler)[So sad about her family... (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapter 17 (view spoiler)[Wow, hatsumoro really tries hard to ruin her, doesnt she?! (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Chapter 19 (view spoiler)[Never heard a sex talk like that one. Eels! (hide spoiler)]

[Jamie]

Done- Loved this!
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting April 18th 2016. Happy Reading ☺

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[Nathalie]

I started yesterday with this one

[Abby]

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[All this terrible stuff happening to Chiyo and now her mother dies? Ugh, this is awful. (hide spoiler)]

[Abby]

Chapter 15: (view spoiler)[Hatsumomo is the worst! Ugh, I wish something bad would happen to her. (hide spoiler)]

[Abby]

Chapter 24: (view spoiler)[So sad that their virginity is sold to the highest bidder. (hide spoiler)]

[Nathalie]

Abby wrote: "Chapter 15: [spoilers removed]"

it will be.

[Abby]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Glad that Sayuri did end up with the Chairman, though it took a lot to get there. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

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Reading from the 3rd of May 2017

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[Haley]

I've had this book on my shelf for ages... I'll probably only get to read a little tonight

[[deleted user]]

I'll try to read it asap. I'm a little obsessed with Nicholas Sparks right now so I'm trying to finish that up.

[Haley]

You're good! Take your time with Nicholas sparks. I'm trying to finish The Ember in the Ashes and still have around 150 pgs left.

[Sharon]

I will start this book after my current read. I have been waiting for a really long time to read this book.

[Haley]

ch 1 (view spoiler)[ wow her mother is dying and her father had a family before hers. I'm starting to like Mr. Tanaka and his personality from just the first chapter. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Chapters 1-9: (view spoiler)[ I loved the movie. I really liked how it was captured, so I wanted to read the book. I know it is representing the Japanese culture, but I find it interesting if this was a real story being told. I think her father knew what he was selling his daughters into. Also, I think that Dr. Miura's suggestion of a new gown for his wife played a part as well. He might of done it because they remind him of his wife. I found the part where Sayuri and her sister being examined disturbing. The story seems to follow the Cinderella fairy tale a bit, but in the Japanese culture. The school seems really strict. I would not want to be there. I think I would want to leave. I feel like something happened to the sister. I hope she is okay. I really want to know what the patterns mean on the back of their necks. I find it interesting that Japanese men have a fascination with the women's neck and throat. I do not like the fact that Hatsumomo is mean to everyone. I think it is because she fears a bit of competition and is jealous of Chiyo. I am wondering if Hatsumomo really knows where her sister is. I was kind of surprised that she told her that information. I thought Sayuri attempt to escape was weak. Also, I believe that the sister escaped. At least, I hope she did. I am really liking the writing style. It is easy to follow and really details the culture of Japanese Geishas. I was said to read that her father died after her mother. I wonder if he committed suicide because of selling his daughters. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Chapters 10-19: (view spoiler)[ I am curious to why Mameha would take on Chiyo/Sayuri after the robe incident. I have a feeling she wants to get back at Hatsumomo, so she is taking on Sayuri. Also, she might think that Sayuri will provide more financial success. Also, I want to know why or how Hatsumomo become unhappy and so unpleasant. It must have been something big, if she is this unhappy. I think Sayuri is better off as a Geisha because she can make a better future for herself rather than as a maid. I like how Sayuri's character is described as "water" type person because it portrays the way she looks at life and her surroundings. I feel bad for Sayuri because she is probably only twelve years old and preparing the ways to be a Geisha. Must be difficult. I do not like that Pumpkin and Sayuri's friendship has to be sacrificed. I thought her first performance as a Geisha proved that she still has a lot to learn. I think Hatsumomo has something evil up her sleeve. However, now that I think about it when does she ever not have something evil up her sleeve. I wonder what Hatsumomo's intentions for Pumpkin are. I do not think it would be wise for Pumpkin to trust her. I like Nobu and the Chairman. They seem like good men. Oh no! Sayuri has feelings for the Chairman. I think that will cause more problems than she already has. Mameha wants to set Sayuri up with the Doctor? I wonder how that will turn out. The painting of her will probably gain her more popularity and get her noticed. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Chapters 20-28: (view spoiler)[ I am not surprised that Hatsumomo had an evil ploy against a rival she had years ago. However, I wonder what she plans to do next. I hope the friendship between Pumpkin and Sayuri can be mended. Also, I feel like Pumpkin deserves a place where she can come safe and sound to. Hope she gets adopted. Mameha seems really sneaky and very smart. I think she played a role in Sayuri getting the part. Also, the way she tried to up the bidding war for Sayuri's mizuage was very clever as well. I do not like the Baron. He is a horrible man. I do not like the fact that he is used to getting what he wants. I found the mizuage ceremony creepy because the doctor was odd. Why does he want the blood? From the movie and how the book portrays Geishas, I think that they are considered more as mistresses than prostitutes. I think Sayuri opposed Nobu because she still has feelings for the Chairman. I think her love stems from admiration. I was not surprised that Sayuri did not get Hatsumomo and Pumpkin's room after the adoption because they made more money than her, so she still has to learn. However, I feel bad for Pumpkin because she got dragged into this mess because of Hatsumomo. Nobu saved Sayuri. I feel bad for Nobu because he knows that his love for her will not be enough to forget about her feelings for the Chairman. He was a sweet man. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Ending Thoughts (Chapters 29-35): (view spoiler)[ I liked the history that Golden used in the book. Also, I thought the time period made the story more engaging. I do not think Sayuri will move on from the Chairman. She seems to think she really loved him instead of a little crush. I really liked how Nobu tested Sayuri's character. The dance seemed to be her way of saying goodbye. Maybe to the Chairman? I think I am seeing more emotion from the Chairman towards Sayuri. Maybe he has feelings for her? I thought the ending was bittersweet. She chose the Chairman. I kind of wished she had chosen Nobu. I thought the story was like Cinderella. Girl has to endure a lot of things and still overcomes them and gets her happily ever after. I give this book a 4/5. (hide spoiler)]

[Haley]

Sharon wrote: "Chapters 1-9: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I've never seen the movie mostly because I enjoy reading the books before watching the movie. I found it odd/interesting that the Japanese men have a fascinating with women's necks and throats. I think her sister did escape because that's the only thing there really is. I think it's just crazy that fathers would sell their daughters and it's sad knowing her mother died from a sickness they couldn't help. (hide spoiler)]