Memoirs of a Geisha
by Arthur Golden
*Spoiler Warning*
Memoirs of a Geisha is an orphan narrative and reserved romance based in Imperial Japan before World War II. It recounts the life of Chiyo, later Sayuri, as she grows from poor fisherman’s daughter to one of the most in-demand Geishas of Gion.
Young Chiyo must deal with sorrow, grief, and isolation. Even in her own home, she is exposed to the flagrant malice of Hatsumomo; the Okiya’s prize Geisha. Chiyo’s life is not her own, and the reader experiences every triumph by her side. Eventually, through a combination of hard work and unbelievable luck, she achieves her dreams.
As an exposé of a now vanished niche culture, what most seized my imagination were the exotic scenes and cultural traditions of pre-war Japan. Including everything from the mundane, such as clothing and education, to more occult differences like the closed auction for a Geisha’s virginity or the system of patronage that a Geisha would be happy to enjoy.
Memoirs of a Geisha was hard to put down. Nevertheless, I wasn’t fast enough for my wife, who was itching to watch the movie with me as soon as I finished. She really appreciated the book too.
The book is much better than the movie. Though I think the director made particularly good choices in who they chose to play Hatsumomo and Pumpkin.
I found some parts of Memoirs more compelling than others. I most appreciated the beginning of the story, up until the Americans started bombing Japan and the Geisha community had to flee their Okiya and take refuge in the countryside, just like other Japanese civilians.
After that, the story went on too long to stay arresting.
Memoirs of a Geisha tics a lot of boxes. It is dramatic and emotional, historical, a bildungsroman, a love story, and it’s exotic.
The book will please most readers, but perhaps young women and xenophiles will benefit the most from it.
Did you read Memoirs of a Geisha? What did you think? Did you prefer the movie or the book?