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| Source: wiki.org |
What a book to end the challenge on though! Once again, a book on Asian culture taught me so much I didn't know or that I misunderstood. Memoirs of a Geisha is fiction, but author Aurthur Golden thoroughly researched the facts by visiting Japan and spending time with a woman who lived as a Geisha in the 1960s and 70s.
I found myself struggling between thinking Geishas were kind of like slaves and yet, maybe it wasn't so bad? The women were professional entertainers in many forms: music, dance, song, conversation. But it seemed they often ended up as Geisha for sad/forced reasons and there were such expectations required of them, I found myself shaking my head as I read. This is all the case of the main character, Chiyo/Sayuri. Yet, without the option, where would many of them end up? Starving on the street or as prostitutes. Definitely a list of pros and cons, depending on which part of the process Sayuri was going through.
The book was enthralling, but I didn't realize how much I was pulling for Sayuri until closer to the end. She makes a bold move to change her life and when it didn't work out quite as she intended my heart sank. With the book so close to the end at that point, I hurriedly finished to see what happened to dear Sayuri.
I highly recommend this oldie, but goodie. Especially if you like to learn about different cultures and time periods.
Anyone see the movie? I was told it doesn't measure up...
I read this book a long time ago (when it first came out) and I remember having the same struggle about whether this was a choice or that they were slaves. I haven’t seen the movie because I liked the book so much, but you never know.
ReplyDeleteGlad I'm not the only one thinking like that. I kinda felt bad thinking that way.
DeleteI remember the movie. Does it do the book any justice?
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen the movie yet. I have it coming up on my Netflix. I was told by a friend not to watch the movie until I'd read the book because she doesn't think it does the book justice.
DeleteI read this one several years ago and loved it. I also enjoyed the movie for the gorgeous costuming and cinematography, though it didn't really do the book justice.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be worth watching then...to get a real idea of the descriptions and setting.
DeleteI enjoyed this for all the reasons you mentioned. It's always enjoyable to learn about another culture and while in a way, it seems like it would be amazing to become so skilled, it doesn't seem like the life of geisha is something most women chose for themselves.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear I'm not the only one stuck between two feelings on the situation of a geisha.
DeleteI read this book this year too long after all the hype died down, and I was pleasantly surprised by the detail and the in-depth glimpse into geisha life. I felt a little let down by the story though, it seemed to end a bit too fairy-taleish.
ReplyDeleteIt did end rather happily compared to where it looked like it was going. I can only think it's because the guy had spent soooo many years involved and caring that it would take a whole lot to push him away. (That's how I justified it anyway!)
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