Memoirs Of A Geisha
(Arthur Golden)
If you don't read the beginning of this book carefully, you might think that Memoirs of a Geisha tells the true story of Sayuri, the village girl catapulted into the exotic life of one of Japans cultural icons.
Ok, lets get it straight from the start, this book is a work of fiction, written by an American who researched his subject thoroughly and created a world based on interviews with one of Japans most famous geishas. Although it may not be a bona fide 'culturally pure' representation of Japan in the early part of the 19th century, it is a superbly written book that becomes, if you allow it, entirely believable. The criticism thrown at this novel (which the recent film adaption has also encountered) is based on Goldmans nationality. His 'outsider' status has brought accusations that he has orientalized Japan and the geisha tradition, smearing a sense of Western ignorance over a culturally specific subject. You must take the novel for what it is, a fanciful but well written tale of struggle and fate. In fact the author does well to see the world through the eyes of Sayuri as a young child through her teen years and into adulthood. The descriptive setting and language used is emotive and passionate, providing a realistic sense of the often sad and lonely world of the geisha girl.
It's not a history book, nor does it propose to be a slice of accurate Japanese culture. If that subject area interests you then tackle it in an academic text. Memoirs of a Geisha is a highly readable novel that holds the interest from start to finish. Excellent characterisation provides the reader with a sense that they are truly delving into the mindset of the protagonists and will take you on Sayuri's sometimes sad, sometimes uplifting journey.
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