Did anyone think it would have been better if it was really a memoir?

[Deborah]

I loved the book but I was truly upset to find out that the book was fiction.

[Kimberly]

I loved this book. One of my favorites. Im not sure how readers were fooled into thinking this was non-fiction. That aside, I loved how it was written, the story was beautifully told, the characters well developed, and it captivated my attention from the first page. The fact that this was written by a man, an American man no less, just impressed me that much more. Its not often you find a writer who can create such a beautiful work , believably, from a perspective that couldnt be more different than his own.

[Lysergius]

Surely the whole point of the book is the description of the life of the Geisha - fact or fiction is irrelevant. This is an art form that is dying out. The author has captured something for our enjoyment for all time...

[Danielle]

I haven't read through this entire discussion so I apologise if anyone has already posted this link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mineko_... ,
it's the Wikipedia page for he author of Geisha: A Life. Another book of interest is Autobiography of a Geisha by Sayo Masuda. Both books are written by actual geisha and they are both on Goodreads (of course the little add book thingy didn't work for me.)
I did see that someone has already mentioned Liz Dalby, another interesting read is Geisha by Lesley Downer.

[Kirk]

Please read my review/comments on the book. I did think it was a real memoir and did not know/realize that it was otherwise until finished. So for me, initially I read it as an actual memoir. :)

[Terence-Jaiden]

Wasn't the fact the author's name was Arthur give any clue?

I actually loved this.

[Melinda]

I really enjoyed this book and was not suprized that it was fiction. The story is a little over the top for real life. If you want a real memoir the check out Geisha: A Life......an amazing story of the life of a women who actually lived it.

[Robin]

Terence-Jaiden wrote: "Wasn't the fact the author's name was Arthur give any clue?"

You'd think. But I guess some people either don't pay attention to the author's name or thought he was just a translator or something. I've seen the same thing happen when I've mentioned "The Autobiography of Henry VIII" by Margaret George - even thought I've cleared stated "by Margaret George", people have mistaken it for an actual autobiography by Henry VIII. I think some people just aren't paying attention.

[Terence-Jaiden]

Robin wrote: "Terence-Jaiden wrote: "Wasn't the fact the author's name was Arthur give any clue?"

You'd think. But I guess some people either don't pay attention to the author's name or thought he was just a tr..."

Well, despite all this I thought it was a brilliant bit of researched fiction and've been considering rereading it. Also, I'd like to see if I'd rate it differently now that I'm older.

[J.R.]

Terence-Jaiden wrote: "Robin wrote: "Terence-Jaiden wrote: "Wasn't the fact the author's name was Arthur give any clue?"

You'd think. But I guess some people either don't pay attention to the author's name or thought he..."

At the information at the beginning the author says that the story was written based on an interview he interviewed a Chinese woman for the purpose of the book. It was she who asked if he could wait a little while before the book was released as she although she wanted to share her experience, she didn't want to offend anyone that was still alive. So I can understand why people were fooled. I certainly was.

[Alexia]

deleted user wrote: "OK, I read this book at 19, and the entire time I thought it was a true story. The epilogue that explained it was fiction was a COMPLETE letdown! In fact, I think that's what kind of turned me of..."

I thought the exact same thing the whole way through! Was very upset and gob smacked when it turned out not to be, and I too prefer non fiction for this reason. Lesley Downers 'Geisha' provides something less beautiful and more research based but it is at least true!

[Selena]

Carol wrote: "Check out "Geisha, A Life" by Mineko Iwasaki. Reading her memoir reminded me of "Memoirs of a Geisha". I wouldn't be surprised if her life was the inspiration for Arthur Golden. "

I loved her book I read that after I read Memoirs of a Geisha

[Robin]

J.R. wrote: "At the information at the beginning the author says that the story was written based on an interview he interviewed a Chinese woman for the purpose of the book. It was she who asked if he could wait a little while before the book was released as she although she wanted to share her experience, she didn't want to offend anyone that was still alive. So I can understand why people were fooled. I certainly was. "

As discussed before, that's Mineko Iwasaki. It was only very loosely based on her life - if you read her own book, Geisha: A Life (also known as Geisha of Gion) you'll see how very different they are. I pointed out before that Mineko was a Geisha in a much different time period (60s and 70s) from when Golden's novel is set (30s and 40s). This is why I also recommended reading Autobiography of a Geisha by Sayo Masuda which takes place around the same time the novel does. I can only imagine Golden read this in his research and borrowed from it as well (I don't believe the author is still alive) because although the autobiography is about a low class geisha, IIRC there are some parallels. The novel is something of a mixed between the two autobiographies. In my opinion, though Mineko's book is interesting, Sayo's story is much more powerful yet it's sadly far more overlooked.

[Selena]

Robin wrote: "J.R. wrote: "At the information at the beginning the author says that the story was written based on an interview he interviewed a Chinese woman for the purpose of the book. It was she who asked if..."

I'll have to look into these books thank you

[Nik]

A real memoir would perhaps have to cloud a few details, there are still Geisha and they are still a pretty closed society.

[Selena]

Nicole wrote: "A real memoir would perhaps have to cloud a few details, there are still Geisha and they are still a pretty closed society."

I think that's what makes them so beautiful

[Janice]

Yes, at first look we all thought it was non-fiction. But I was lucky to read this in college and my professor was harping about the same question... Was it really a memoir? or Did you feel it should have been a real memoir?

Whatever. The story is awesome on it's own. It's just a thing about the title that created the confusion. It worked though, since y'all read it.

[Selena]

I read it because it was on my summer reading list in high school and I like the whole Geisha art

[Regil]

I have lots of female friends who are working in Japan as entertainers nowadays which i deemed geishas wayback. Fact or fiction his work is siginificant!

[Sunleister]

Andrea wrote: "If you want to read a geisha's memoir that *is* nonfiction, try "Geisha: A Life" by Mineko Iwasaki. You'll learn way more about the reality of geisha life in Japan, though it may not be as warm an..."

I absolutely loved that book! The way she discribes her life is so matter of fact. I just couldn't put it down!

[Linda]

It didn't matter to me; it just made me more impressed with the writer. And to be honest, you can't blame someone for not having experienced that.

[Francelia]

Carol wrote: "Check out "Geisha, A Life" by Mineko Iwasaki. Reading her memoir reminded me of "Memoirs of a Geisha". I wouldn't be surprised if her life was the inspiration for Arthur Golden. "

I'm just now coming across this topic, but thanks for the recommendation. I'm going to check out the book by Mineko, so I can compare.

[Stefan]

The plot is simply too contrived to be taken seriously. The beginning is gruelling, but then it turns into an too sweetly happy ending story.
I liked reading it and I especially was gutted at the beginning of the story. It goes downhill from there. Autobiographical or not.

[Annie]

Carol wrote: "Check out "Geisha, A Life" by Mineko Iwasaki. Reading her memoir reminded me of "Memoirs of a Geisha". I wouldn't be surprised if her life was the inspiration for Arthur Golden. "

You're right. The author of that memoir was actually someone Golden interviewed and talked to for his own work. =)

[Gregg]

I thought this book was so dull. Maybe I expected too much, but I quit it after about thirty pages. (Whether fact or fiction didn't matter to me. Dull is dull.)

[Tanya]

I really loved this book...and I totally believed it was a memoir the whole time...I was so into this book, that I think I remember my jaw dropping when I read the epiloge at the end stating it was a story. I still love the book, but was let down.

[Jackson]

I started reading this the day I set off on my current trip to Southeast Asia, and despite the fact I knew it was a work of fiction, at points I was under the believe that it could be a real memoir. Arthur Golden has really pulled out all the stops with this novel.

[Evelin]

I completely agree that this book would have been better if was based on a true story perhaps told through a grandaughter's eyes or something. However, it did read as if it were a true story as it was well researched and eluded to a lot of cultural nuances which made it even more convincing. As an author, I can say that I am sure a lot of the stories he told were taken from actual stories.... at least this book felt as if it were true and I can't help but believe they are somewhat based on real life events.

[Linda]

Memoirs of a Geisha is one of my favorite books of all time. It's such an incredible story filled with vivid descriptions and well-developed characters. The first time I read it, we were on a vacation cruise to Mexico and I just couldn't put the darn thing down. My husband kept scolding me for missing out on events because all I wanted to do was read in our stateroom.

I admit that I thought it was a true story at first and I was a little disappointed to find out it was fiction. It was, however, very well-researched. It took Arthur Golden ten years to write it. He was even sued for breach of contract and defamation of character by a geisha named Iwasaki. She claimed that he didn't keep his word when he promised to protect her identity. The case was apparently settled out of course.

[Amy]

This book is beautifully written. The laguage evokes visual images and feelings that make you believe this is really her life....Hard to believe it was written by a man. Loved this book so much, I've read it three times in the past 10 yrs. and recommend it to everyone.

[Sarah]

It would be interesting if it was an actual true story :]

[Donna-Lee]

so upset when i found it wasn't true! Kind of ruined it a little - but knowing that a man has written it gives a whole new side to male authors! Beautifully written and he has captured the wonder and beauty to that time! i'm recommending it to everyone!

[Ian]

The book was actually based on a bunch of true stories so its sorta kinda a memoir...but i dont care if its a memoir or a novel, I loved it and I'm definitely going to reread it.

[Robin]

Ian wrote: "The book was actually based on a bunch of true stories so its sorta kinda a memoir...but i dont care if its a memoir or a novel, I loved it and I'm definitely going to reread it."

Ehh, that's not really true. The author used a real life geisha, Mineko Iwasaki, as a source of information but she later went on to write her own autobiography (already previously mentioned as Geisha, A Life or Geisha of Gion) which is VERY different from the novel. The novel is not even set in the same time period that Iwasaki lived. Apart from Iwasaki being one of the most successful geishas of her time like the main character in the novel was, there is little to no resemblance between the two stories.

[Ruth]

I went through about half the book believing Chiyo/Sayuri to have really existed, but when I was informed that she was a fictional character, I was, of course, a little upset, but I was mostly in awe. For an American man to write so beautifully and convincingly about life in Japan as a geisha is really astounding. I really loved this book, definitely one of my favorites.

[Daniela]

I read it long time ago and it make me feel amazing, I couldn't stop reading it. I remember being a bit dissapointed when I realize it was not a 100% true story, but I love fiction books too, beacuse even if there are not 100% true they still are a 70/30 0r 60/40..., anyway I always learn something new , then It becomes like a game to me, to figure out which facts where true and which ones weren't.

[Supriya]

i knew it was fiction and while i was reading it, I felt i was reading a memoir...so i guess the novel was a job well done....i enjoyed the read...a memoir would have felt the same...have nt watched the movie as yet...however i almost always like the novels better than the movies...

[Peta]

I really wanted this to be real also but still an interesting read.

[Lindsay]

A good story is a good story. Period. Whether or not this is a "real" memoir is irrelevant.