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J.L. Sutton's Reviews > Memoirs of a Geisha
Memoirs of a Geisha
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“If you aren't the woman I think you are, then this isn't the world I thought it was.”
Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha is a beautifully written novel about one of Japan's most famous geisha. I just wasn't sure I trusted the immersion into geisha life that the novel purports to represent. I enjoyed the read, but everything, all the dramatic tension from Sayuri becoming a geisha to auctioning off her virginity, fit way too nicely into a competition between Sayuri and her rival, Hatsumomo. It gave Memoirs of a Geisha a page-turning quality (and maybe that's just good writing), but here it struck me as a little false. I need to remind myself that it is fiction, but this prevents me from accepting the world of the novel. 3.5 stars
Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha is a beautifully written novel about one of Japan's most famous geisha. I just wasn't sure I trusted the immersion into geisha life that the novel purports to represent. I enjoyed the read, but everything, all the dramatic tension from Sayuri becoming a geisha to auctioning off her virginity, fit way too nicely into a competition between Sayuri and her rival, Hatsumomo. It gave Memoirs of a Geisha a page-turning quality (and maybe that's just good writing), but here it struck me as a little false. I need to remind myself that it is fiction, but this prevents me from accepting the world of the novel. 3.5 stars
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Reading Progress
December 24, 2019
– Shelved as:
to-read
(Paperback Edition)
December 24, 2019
– Shelved
(Paperback Edition)
April 6, 2020
–
Started Reading
April 6, 2020
– Shelved
April 9, 2020
–
Finished Reading
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Stephanie
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Apr 10, 2020 09:08AM
Nice review. I felt the same way about the rivalry and b/c I've seen and read many historical pieces on Geisha I agree with you on how some things ring false.
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Stephanie wrote: "Nice review. I felt the same way about the rivalry and b/c I've seen and read many historical pieces on Geisha I agree with you on how some things ring false."Maybe Memoirs of a Geisha wouldn't have been as popular if it hadn't packaged itself the way it did. In my mind, it would have been better even if things were messier. Loved Tales of Genji and am about to read Musashi. Any recommendations on Geisha or historical pieces? Thanks Stephanie!
