Helena's Reviews > Memoirs of a Geisha

Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
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did not like it
bookshelves: historical-fiction, wat

Instead of bashing this book, I'm simply going to quote a post I saw because it put my thoughts into words:

"Japanese woman tells white American man about her past life as a geisha. White man then writes a novel that sells itself as an accurate memoir of Japanese woman's life, but instead falsifies a number of her life events, misrepresents her trade, and exoticises her culture. He also names her as a source even though she specifically asked him to keep her anonymous. Japanese woman gets death threats. White American man becomes bestselling author.

Then Japanese woman gets fed up and writes her own memoir to set the record straight. Meanwhile, white American man's book gets adapted into a film that grosses $162 million and wins three Oscars."
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Reading Progress

August 8, 2018 – Started Reading
August 8, 2018 – Shelved
August 9, 2018 – Finished Reading
April 16, 2022 – Shelved as: historical-fiction
April 16, 2022 – Shelved as: wat

Comments Showing 1-5 of 5 (5 new)

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Diana See I never knew this it's sad that he's still praised for this work


s.g. Yup. Fucked up shit man. Smh


Helena Sara wrote: "Yup. Fucked up shit man. Smh"

Yeap. Honestly, that's all I could think about while reading the book and I had to put it down. Just disturbing.


message 4: by Ira (new)

Ira Yes this! By the way, that book is titled « Geisha, a Life » if you all want to check it out.


Helena Thanks Ira!


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