Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
inspiring
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
The author was able to portray the mind of a girl and women very well. The book describes the art of being a geisha in such a renown way. I found the parallels between the implications of Venus astrologically and how they are trained to be geishas is extremely interesting. Her love for her Danna and acceptance of her life path is very touching.
I didn’t imagine this book would interest me all that much. But it did! This book kept me interested from the first page with the style of writing and the story. It was sad and beautiful and tragic and intense all at the same time.
The only thing that disappointed me a little was the ending. Because see, I saw Sayura’s “love triangle” as kind of the same as I view Scarlett’s little love triangle with Ashley and Rhett. Only Ashley was the Chairman, because Sayura idealized him as the one man in her life she dreamed of having, yet hardly knew him. She treated him just as Scarlett treated Ashley, putting him on a pedestal and making him into the perfect man he could never be. And Nobu was Rhett. She didn’t want Nobu, even though he was kind to her. Nobu waited patiently for so long. But unlike Gone with the Wind this story ended with Sayura getting exactly what she wanted: the Chairman. And I don’t know if it is just because I was drawing these parallels that it disappointed me so much but I felt such a sinking feeling when I realized that’s where the author was taking it. I suppose I should have been happy she was getting what she wanted because she spent the whole book getting everything taken away from her. Shouldn't she get one thing? Maybe I just love tragedies.
Maybe I just felt like it wouldn't really have happened that way. Or maybe Sayuri and the Chairman being together meant the end of this book was disappointing because it was so very normal. So happy and calm. I suppose I didn't want Sayuri’s storm to end because its ending didn't feel real. Like she said herself, (or something like) life feels most real when it is hard because having to grasp the stones and keep your balance in a strong current makes you realize what a struggle it is and makes it all feel like it’s really happening.
I can't vouch for how accurate it is but I very much enjoyed it and would recommend it.
The only thing that disappointed me a little was the ending. Because see, I saw Sayura’s “love triangle” as kind of the same as I view Scarlett’s little love triangle with Ashley and Rhett. Only Ashley was the Chairman, because Sayura idealized him as the one man in her life she dreamed of having, yet hardly knew him. She treated him just as Scarlett treated Ashley, putting him on a pedestal and making him into the perfect man he could never be. And Nobu was Rhett. She didn’t want Nobu, even though he was kind to her. Nobu waited patiently for so long. But unlike Gone with the Wind this story ended with Sayura getting exactly what she wanted: the Chairman. And I don’t know if it is just because I was drawing these parallels that it disappointed me so much but I felt such a sinking feeling when I realized that’s where the author was taking it. I suppose I should have been happy she was getting what she wanted because she spent the whole book getting everything taken away from her. Shouldn't she get one thing? Maybe I just love tragedies.
Maybe I just felt like it wouldn't really have happened that way. Or maybe Sayuri and the Chairman being together meant the end of this book was disappointing because it was so very normal. So happy and calm. I suppose I didn't want Sayuri’s storm to end because its ending didn't feel real. Like she said herself, (or something like) life feels most real when it is hard because having to grasp the stones and keep your balance in a strong current makes you realize what a struggle it is and makes it all feel like it’s really happening.
I can't vouch for how accurate it is but I very much enjoyed it and would recommend it.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved the book. The writing is gorgeous, the world feels so rich and immersive, and the way the author describes the rituals, kimonos, and performances is just stunning. It really pulls you in, making you feel like you're right there in Kyoto, experiencing everything alongside the characters.
But after looking into it a bit more, I realized the book isn’t accurate to history. It plays into a lot of Western stereotypes about geisha, making them seem more like courtesans than the highly skilled artists they actually are. What’s worse is that the real-life geisha the story is based off of, Mineko Iwasaki, later sued him for misrepresenting her. She even wrote her own memoir, Geisha, A Life, to set the record straight.
So while Memoirs of a Geisha is a beautifully written book and an great story, it’s definitely not the best source if you want to learn about real geisha culture. It’s still worth reading though.
But after looking into it a bit more, I realized the book isn’t accurate to history. It plays into a lot of Western stereotypes about geisha, making them seem more like courtesans than the highly skilled artists they actually are. What’s worse is that the real-life geisha the story is based off of, Mineko Iwasaki, later sued him for misrepresenting her. She even wrote her own memoir, Geisha, A Life, to set the record straight.
So while Memoirs of a Geisha is a beautifully written book and an great story, it’s definitely not the best source if you want to learn about real geisha culture. It’s still worth reading though.
Engancha desde el principio. El ritmo ni es rápido ni lento, haciéndolo entretenido. Además ésta escrito de una forma hermosa
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
