I have always loved the cultures of Japan and China. I have a particular affinity for books about those cultures, like Lisa See's novels, Amy Tan's Bonesetter's Daughter, and Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha.
I saw the movie several years ago and found the story to be absolutely remarkable, so this last summer when I ran across it at the library book sale I could not pass it up for a dollar. I have decided the dollar investment to be one of the best that I have ever made.
I spent two days savoring the story of Sayuri.
Summary
Sayuri shares the story of her humble beginnings as a fisherman's daughter,who sold her into bondage to becoming one of the top Geishas in Japan. The word Geisha does not mean prostitute in Japanese - but artisan. And I have to admit that I never thought of Sayuri as a prostitute once in the novel. Sayuri learns the art of being a geisha in a small community full of geisha that are in constant competition for the attention of powerful men that will vow to take care of them for a life time. Sayuri knowing that she will never have a say over who will become her patron, never gives up hope that it will be the chairman. But will it be Sayuri's beloved chairman or his best friend?
My Criticisms
At times, the novel dragged, but I still loved it! I also wished that the book would have followed Sayuri's geisha sister a little more. I was intrigued with her and would have loved to have a look inside her head, especially when the chairman asked her to help Sayuri and then when Sayuri attracted the attention of her patron.
Overall
This book is so worth the hours that you will take to consume it. I loved this novel. It will have a place on my book shelf for years to come.
I saw the movie several years ago and found the story to be absolutely remarkable, so this last summer when I ran across it at the library book sale I could not pass it up for a dollar. I have decided the dollar investment to be one of the best that I have ever made.
I spent two days savoring the story of Sayuri.
Summary
Sayuri shares the story of her humble beginnings as a fisherman's daughter,who sold her into bondage to becoming one of the top Geishas in Japan. The word Geisha does not mean prostitute in Japanese - but artisan. And I have to admit that I never thought of Sayuri as a prostitute once in the novel. Sayuri learns the art of being a geisha in a small community full of geisha that are in constant competition for the attention of powerful men that will vow to take care of them for a life time. Sayuri knowing that she will never have a say over who will become her patron, never gives up hope that it will be the chairman. But will it be Sayuri's beloved chairman or his best friend?
My Criticisms
At times, the novel dragged, but I still loved it! I also wished that the book would have followed Sayuri's geisha sister a little more. I was intrigued with her and would have loved to have a look inside her head, especially when the chairman asked her to help Sayuri and then when Sayuri attracted the attention of her patron.
Overall
This book is so worth the hours that you will take to consume it. I loved this novel. It will have a place on my book shelf for years to come.
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