Memoirs of a Geisha Arthur Golden
Discuss This Book--This work of fiction reads like an autobiiography of one of Japan's most celebrated Geisha. It begins with her childhood in a small seaside town where electricity is just as unknown as elegance.
At a young age, her mother becomes deathly ill. Her father, too old to care for Chiyo and her sister, sells his two daughters. Chiyo, who has inherited her mothers light grey eyes, ends up in an okiya. Hatsumomo is the only Geisha of the household. Although Hatsumomo is considerably more beautiful than any other Geisha, she is also incredibly cruel. Chiyo, because of her beauty, is a constant threat to Hatsumomo, as only one Geisha may become the daughter of the okiya. When Chiyo begins to train to become a Geisha, Hatsumomo only becomes more cruel, plotting to destroy Chiyo's career before it ever begins.
Chiyo eventually learns that her sister, Satsu, was sold into a prostitute district, and had become a prostitute. Chiyo sneaks away to visit her sister, and the two make plans to run away together. Chiyo is caught before she can escape the okiya, but Satsu manages to escape undetected. Because of her unsuccessful attempt at running away, Chiyo is no longer permitted to study to become a Geisha, and is reduced to the rank of a servent.
After some time, Chiyo meets a man whom she calls the "Chairman." Though she is just a young girl at the time, she falls in love with the Chairman, and is determined to become a Geisha so that she may be worthy of spending time with him.
Eventually, a prominent Geisha, Mameha, takes interest in Chiyo, and speaks to the okiya's Mother. Mameha wants to become Chiyo's Older Sister - meaning that she will train Chiyo as a Geisha. Chiyo is once again permitted to study as a Geisha. Eventually she and Mameha perform the tea ceremony that binds them as sisters. At this point she is given a Geisha name, Sayuri.
I have heard that some people find this book to be controversial or offensive. Although I did not find it controversial or offensive, I am guessing that those who do find it offensive were offended by the part in the book where Sayuri's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder. It is important to keep within the context of the story. This book is not about an American woman, but about a Japanese Geisha; in Japan. We cannot expect that Japanese Geisha will hold the same beliefs as an American woman. Instead we should hope to learn something about a foreign culture.
I was very surprised to learn that this was Arthur Golden's first book. I truly wouldn't be surprised to find that it is one day considered to be a classic. I do hope that Golden continues to write fiction. I highly recommend this book!
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