An alluring tour de force: a brilliant debut novel told with seamless authenticity and exquisite lyricism as the true confessions of one of Japan's most celebrated geisha. Speaking to us with the wisdom of age and in a voice at once haunting and startlingly immediate, Nitta Sayuri tells the story of her life as a geisha. In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where ...
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An alluring tour de force: a brilliant debut novel told with seamless authenticity and exquisite lyricism as the true confessions of one of Japan's most celebrated geisha. Speaking to us with the wisdom of age and in a voice at once haunting and startlingly immediate, Nitta Sayuri tells the story of her life as a geisha. In Memoirs of a Geisha, we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love, always elusive, is scorned as illusion. Sayuri's story begins in a poor fishing village in 1929, when, as a nine-year-old with unusual blue-gray eyes, she is taken from her home and sold into slavery to a renowned geisha house. Through her eyes, we see the decadent heart of Gion--the geisha district of Kyoto--with its marvelous teahouses and theaters, narrow back alleys, ornate temples, and artists' streets. And we witness her transformation as she learns the rigorous arts of the geisha: dance and music; wearing kimono, elaborate makeup and hair; pouring sake to reveal just a touch of inner wrist; competing with a jealous rival for men's solicitude and the money that goes with it. But as World War II erupts and the geisha houses are forced to close, Sayuri, with little money and even less food, must reinvent herself all over again to find a rare kind of freedom on her own terms. Memoirs of a Geisha is a book of nuances and vivid metaphor, of memorable characters rendered with humor and pathos. And though the story is rich with detail and a vast knowledge of history, it is the transparent, seductive voice of Sayuri that the reader remembers. A dazzling literary achievement of empathy and grace by an extraordinary new writer.
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Seller's Description:
The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. A copy that has been read, but remains in excellent condition. Pages are intact and are not marred by notes or highlighting, but may contain a neat previous owner name. The spine remains undamaged. An ex-library book and may have standard library stamps and/or stickers. At ThriftBooks, our motto is: Read More, Spend Less.
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Seller's Description:
The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. All orders ship by next business day! This is a used hardcover book. Pages have no markings and has some wear. Dust jacket is included and has wear and small tears. The cover/boards have wear. For USED books, we cannot guarantee supplemental materials such as CDs, DVDs, access codes and other materials. We are a small company and very thankful for your business!
Loved it! Story line was quite different from the movie. It gives MUCH more details on the daily life of the Japanese people living at that time. As a whole; book much better than movie.
Littlehobbit
Jan 21, 2010
Loved it!
I was SO impressed by Goldens ability to capture a female perspective. Not only did I think the book was beautiful, it was powerful as well. I loved this story. I also thought that the movie was an astonishing interpretation of the book. Very unusual. Reading this book has since inspired me to learn about Japanese culture. [close]
SHIRLEY
Mar 23, 2009
VERY INTERESTING READ
IT READ THE SAME AS, IT DID THE FIRST TIME!! I WOULD READ IT AGAIN!!!
andysmom
Jul 29, 2008
Good Read
I was drawn into the story because the author described the lifestyle of a geisha very well. So this read is a good history lesson along with being a intriguing story about a young girl and her fight into womanhood.
BugEyeMidnight
Nov 6, 2007
And the movie left me feeling the same way...
This book was interesting, but I didn?t fall in love with it. The setting is beautiful, and I could feel the autohor's love for that time and place, but I have no feelings for the heroine. Mostly she gets acted upon instead of acting, which is (perhaps) the point but it?s not moving. I was very disappointed with the ending. I wanted to love it, but try as I might I just couldn?t. Overall it?s just ok.