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Dem's Reviews > Memoirs of a Geisha
Memoirs of a Geisha
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I had seen Memoirs of a Geisha described many times as the “Perfect Novel” and one of the 100 books you should read before you die, so perhaps my expectations were a little height for this one as I was expecting an emotional read and a novel that would transport me in time and enlighten me to mystery of the Japanese culture of the time but sadly this story while good and well written was too slow moving and an unemotional read for me
I had been wanting to read this novel for years and they say “what’s for you won’t pass you by” so when I found this one in a used book shop I felt it was time to finally take this one home. It has been loved by so many of my friends over the years and I really was intrigued by the the lives of Geisha.
TBH I actually thought this was a true story and only realised about 30% into the book that it was a fictional account. The novel tells the story of a fictional geisha working in Kyoto, Japan before, during and after World War II. I loved the first first 100 pages of this novel, the story starts out strong and the characters and culture is intriguing. I enjoyed the slow pace (to start with) but then the book just seemed to drag and become dreadfully descriptive and I found myself page counting and wishing the the novel was 100 pages shorter.
I enjoyed the characters to begin with and yet by the end I was very glad to part company with them.
The book does offer a fascinating glimpse into the hidden world of the Geisha and this was an aspect of the novel that I really enjoyed and the reason I rated this one 3 stars (which means I liked it but didn't love it) but I am afraid this copy will make its way back to the used book shop and hopefully another reader will enjoy the experience more than me.
I had been wanting to read this novel for years and they say “what’s for you won’t pass you by” so when I found this one in a used book shop I felt it was time to finally take this one home. It has been loved by so many of my friends over the years and I really was intrigued by the the lives of Geisha.
TBH I actually thought this was a true story and only realised about 30% into the book that it was a fictional account. The novel tells the story of a fictional geisha working in Kyoto, Japan before, during and after World War II. I loved the first first 100 pages of this novel, the story starts out strong and the characters and culture is intriguing. I enjoyed the slow pace (to start with) but then the book just seemed to drag and become dreadfully descriptive and I found myself page counting and wishing the the novel was 100 pages shorter.
I enjoyed the characters to begin with and yet by the end I was very glad to part company with them.
The book does offer a fascinating glimpse into the hidden world of the Geisha and this was an aspect of the novel that I really enjoyed and the reason I rated this one 3 stars (which means I liked it but didn't love it) but I am afraid this copy will make its way back to the used book shop and hopefully another reader will enjoy the experience more than me.
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Reading Progress
May 1, 2018
– Shelved
August 12, 2019
–
Started Reading
August 19, 2019
–
Finished Reading
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Thank you for an honest review, Dem. While I did greatly enjoy this book, I too thought the second half dragged a bit.
Dem, I read this quite a while ago and loved it , but I appreciate that you enjoyed it but didn’t love it . Great review.
Alice wrote: "Thank you for an honest review, Dem. While I did greatly enjoy this book, I too thought the second half dragged a bit."Thank you Alice. Glad I read it as I had always wanted to.
Angela M wrote: "Dem, I read this quite a while ago and loved it , but I appreciate that you enjoyed it but didn’t love it . Great review."Thank you Angela. I love that books like this bring friends together with discussion and this is a book that I will remember years from now And be able to discuss with friends.
I loved this one too but not everything appeals to everyone and we read at different stages in our life. Appreciate your honest thoughts, Dem
Jen wrote: "I loved this one too but not everything appeals to everyone and we read at different stages in our life. Appreciate your honest thoughts, Dem"Thank you Jen. 💕
I felt the same way as you, Dem - the idea of Geisha women living like that was fascinating at first, but I got tired of it and found it ultimately depressing.
I like your review and explanation, Dem. It's one I've gone back and forth on several times, and I keep moving it down the list. Plenty of other things attracting my attention!
Thanks Elyse, I liked it but didn’t love it and perhaps because I waited so long to read it that it didn’t quite meet my expectations, but that’s the thing with books, we all have different reactions as so many of my friends loved this one.