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muathasim's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
leggup's review against another edition
5.0
Tragic and beautiful. She shares another world in another time and yet some things never change.
agemme10's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I actually really enjoyed this book, despite thinking I wouldn't. It was interesting to learn about life in Japan for some young women. Just thinking about being sold and at such a tender age as 9, then being looked at by older men when only 14-15 years old - it's mind blowing! To be controlled and always trying to be liked by men in order to make some money, just so that you can pay off some debt or give it to your "mother" - it's like being part of a brothel without the sexual side of it!
The story was fascinating and so well written. The only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars is because I didn't get the full "OMG that was amazing" feeling at the end of the book, but it was pretty close considering the genre is completely out of my norm!
The story was fascinating and so well written. The only reason I didn't give it a full 5 stars is because I didn't get the full "OMG that was amazing" feeling at the end of the book, but it was pretty close considering the genre is completely out of my norm!
phlegmie's review against another edition
4.0
Never have I been this engaged on an Asian novel before, not since the Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. Although I haven't watched the movie yet, the cover art piqued my interest instantly the first time I caught sight of it.
The story is about the endeavours and trials of the lovely Chiyo who was separated from her sister as a kid. Striking because of her gray eyes, Chiyo was forced to live in an okiya where Hatsumomo, a popular geisha then, also lives.
She was thoroughly bullied by Hatsumomo who was probably only nervous of Chiyo's would-be success. With the company of a friend she fondly calls Pumpkin, life in the okiya was made easier despite the homesickness, incessant demands and chores from Mother and Auntie and Hatsumomo's teasing.
I was annoyed by the fact that she had spent almost half of the book not telling anyone of her secret affection towards the Chairman and not admitting it to him until the last few chapters of the book! (Although, I have to note on the I almost thought that the book will end with a depressing note with Chiyo never telling the Chairman of her true feelings. I don't know how to react on the surprising revelation that the Chairman himself had asked Hatsumomo's rival, Mameha, to adopt Chiyo which was kinda sweet and at the same time quite melancholy since he had never told her after all these years.
I am amazed on how Chiyo had handled herself well, especially on how she was emotionally composed on her first sex with the doctor. I also commend Golden; I was deeply moved with Chiyo's emotions as she described the moment when Mameha's beau practically stripped her naked. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up that I barely skimmed the chapter.
Nevertheless, I was in-love with Chiyo's thoughts and it never ceased to amuse and touch me since the first page. I just wish that the book could have ended in a more happier tone because I've always thought that the Chairman will marry Chiyo. :))
Definitely a must-read, especially to those with an extreme liking to the colourful culture of the Land of the Rising Sun.
The story is about the endeavours and trials of the lovely Chiyo who was separated from her sister as a kid. Striking because of her gray eyes, Chiyo was forced to live in an okiya where Hatsumomo, a popular geisha then, also lives.
She was thoroughly bullied by Hatsumomo who was probably only nervous of Chiyo's would-be success. With the company of a friend she fondly calls Pumpkin, life in the okiya was made easier despite the homesickness, incessant demands and chores from Mother and Auntie and Hatsumomo's teasing.
I was annoyed by the fact that she had spent almost half of the book not telling anyone of her secret affection towards the Chairman and not admitting it to him until the last few chapters of the book! (Although, I have to note on the I almost thought that the book will end with a depressing note with Chiyo never telling the Chairman of her true feelings. I don't know how to react on the surprising revelation that the Chairman himself had asked Hatsumomo's rival, Mameha, to adopt Chiyo which was kinda sweet and at the same time quite melancholy since he had never told her after all these years.
I am amazed on how Chiyo had handled herself well, especially on how she was emotionally composed on her first sex with the doctor. I also commend Golden; I was deeply moved with Chiyo's emotions as she described the moment when Mameha's beau practically stripped her naked. It made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up that I barely skimmed the chapter.
Nevertheless, I was in-love with Chiyo's thoughts and it never ceased to amuse and touch me since the first page. I just wish that the book could have ended in a more happier tone because I've always thought that the Chairman will marry Chiyo. :))
Definitely a must-read, especially to those with an extreme liking to the colourful culture of the Land of the Rising Sun.
dalia_maged's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of the best books I have ever read, so rich with details and events
It was so captivating and I just couldn't leave it.
The way of writing is simple yet very deep, it makes you feel like you are in the scene and watching up close, like you are interfering on the events.
Enjoyed every moment reading the book,
And watched the movie afterwards, which was very good, but it is not compared to the book.
Totally recommend it for any one who enjoys reading about different cultures and drama.
It was so captivating and I just couldn't leave it.
The way of writing is simple yet very deep, it makes you feel like you are in the scene and watching up close, like you are interfering on the events.
Enjoyed every moment reading the book,
And watched the movie afterwards, which was very good, but it is not compared to the book.
Totally recommend it for any one who enjoys reading about different cultures and drama.
amallard's review against another edition
2.0
I read this once and loved it. Read it again, and loved it again.
Then I learned about the origins of the book and I know we talk about separating the art from the artist but in this case the artist is so disgusting and morally reprehensible to me that I'd rather not.
It's not a good book.
Then I learned about the origins of the book and I know we talk about separating the art from the artist but in this case the artist is so disgusting and morally reprehensible to me that I'd rather not.
It's not a good book.
flame_red's review against another edition
5.0
A classic I could read again and again, and each and every time I read it, I wish it was for the first time.
sophiemaher's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
while it’s a beautifully written book, and i found the life of geishas very interesting (and depressing), i found it was unnecessarily long.
i also didn’t enjoy the fact that it was written by a man who took a lot of the content from a real geisha without her consent…. so…..
honestly just meh, but a good meh. like it was good but nothing to write home about!
i also didn’t enjoy the fact that it was written by a man who took a lot of the content from a real geisha without her consent…. so…..
honestly just meh, but a good meh. like it was good but nothing to write home about!
helenewallace's review against another edition
3.5
I’d read this book back when it first came out but wanted to reread it after a trip to Japan (including a couple of days in Kyoto).