Memoirs of a Geisha (Arthur Golden)

And so, the great book challenge continues! I finished Memoirs of a Geisha some time ago but have only just got around to writing up my thoughts on it now (so many books to read, so little time!).

What it’s About:

Memoirs of a Geisha is the story of Sakamoto Chiyo, a young girl from a poor fishing village who is sold by her parents into a geisha house in Kyoto at the age of nine. It follows her struggles in her new life and her eventual transformation into the exquisite geisha Sayuri. As a new geisha, the doors to the exclusive teahouses finally open up for her- holding an array of experiences and surprises in their midst.

Why Read It:

If you love a sweeping tale, then this book is a must. Although it’s a work of fiction, Arthur Golden researched it heavily and has succeeded in bringing to life the extraodinary world of the geisha.

Favourite Quotes:

There were so many in this book that it was hard to choose! Here are some of my favourites:

“At the temple there is a poem called "Loss" carved into the stone. It has three words, but the poet has scratched them out. You cannot read loss, only feel it.”

“I had to wonder if men were so blinded by beauty that they would feel privileged to live their lives with an actual demon, so long as it was a beautiful demon.”

“Grief is a most peculiar thing; we’re so helpless in the face of it. It’s like a window that will simply open of its own accord. The room grows cold, and we can do nothing but shiver. But it opens a little less each time, and a little less; and one day we wonder what has become of it.”

“If you aren't the woman I think you are, then this isn't the world I thought it was.”