In 'Memoirs of a Geisha', Arthur Golden takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through the life of Sayuri, a young girl sold to a geisha house in Kyoto. As she navigates the complexities of a world filled with beauty, intrigue, and deception, Sayuri's resilience and determination shine through. The story unveils the secretive art of geisha and the struggles they face in a changing Japan. With rich descriptions and emotional depth, this tale captures the essence of love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of identity. Will Sayuri find her own happiness amidst the challenging life she is thrust into?
By Arthur Golden
Published: 1999
""Sometimes, the things that matter the most are the things we cannot see - the emotions we feel, the memories we cherish, and the dreams we dare to chase.""
A literary sensation and runaway bestseller, this brilliant debut novel tells with seamless authenticity and exquisite lyricism the true confessions of one of Japan's most celebrated geisha. Nominated as one of America’s best-loved novels by PBS’s The Great American Read Speaking to us with the wisdom of age and in a voice at once haunting and startlingly immediate, Nitta Sayuri tells the story of her life as a geisha. It begins in a poor fishing village in 1929, when, as a nine-year-old girl with unusual blue-gray eyes, she is taken from her home and sold into slavery to a renowned geisha house. We witness her transformation as she learns the rigorous arts of the geisha: dance and music; wearing kimono, elaborate makeup, and hair; pouring sake to reveal just a touch of inner wrist; competing with a jealous rival for men's solicitude and the money that goes with it. In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion. It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction—at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful—and completely unforgettable.
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“"Sometimes, the things that matter the most are the things we cannot see - the emotions we feel, the memories we cherish, and the dreams we dare to chase."”
Memoirs of a Geisha
By Arthur Golden
Discover a world of knowledge through our extensive collection of book summaries.
Arthur Golden is an acclaimed American novelist best known for his bestselling novel "Memoirs of a Geisha," published in 1997. The book, which offers a captivating glimpse into the life of a Geisha in Kyoto, has been praised for its rich storytelling and meticulous research, drawing readers into a world of elegance and intrigue. Golden's writing style is characterized by its lyrical prose and deep emotional resonance, as well as his ability to bring historical contexts to life. In addition to "Memoirs of a Geisha," he has also authored "Mountain Rain" and has contributed to various publications. Golden's work often explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the complexities of human relationships.
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