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lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Memoirs of a Geisha" follows the fictious life of Sayuri. When Sayuri was a young girl, she was sold by her father and taken from home to become a maid. Through some hard work and befriending of the right people, Sayuri is able to work her way up to become a Geisha. But the Geisha's world is tainted by greedy mothers and even greedier men. Sayuri quickly learns that her life is always going to be rife with difficulty, but she has some power to fight back.
This story was harrowing and beautiful, and I found it difficult to believe that it was not a true story. Sayuri felt so authentic, and it really highlights Arthur Golden's talents as an author that he was able to take a fictious character and root her so much in historical reality that I wanted to do research to uncover what ultimately happened to Sayuri.
This novel is difficult to read at times because of how poorly the women are treated, and how graphic the novel gets in its depictions of this abuse. My heart just goes out to all of real women who were inevitably abused in similar ways to Sayuri and the other Geishas of this story.
I think the novel overall keeps a pretty great pace, especially because we are following the main character for over a decade. However, I do think the story does drag a little bit around the 300-page mark. I felt like my attention wanned and I had to force myself a little bit to stay engaged in the story.
I do think it odd how America is depicted in this novel. Sayuri seems to think the American soldiers are "very friendly", but I do not know if I really believe that is how the Japanese would have felt about Americans at this time? Especially because America and Japan were on opposite sides of the war.
This was an intensely beautiful story that I recommend to those looking to expand their historical fiction TBR.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and War
rochelleisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and War
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Abortion, and Alcohol
Minor: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
ange9346's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: War
dannilmp's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Golden really did his research to be able to write such a detailed piece of historical fiction. I felt as though I learnt so much more about Geishas and Japan's history while also coming to understand more what the Geishas roles and functions in society were.
I don't typically read historical fiction so this was a venture outside of my usual comfort zone, and while it was written very well (bar young Sayori's obsession with a certain character feeling icky) it is not something I would rush to read in a hurry again. But parts of the story have still stuck with me months later, so I have to give the book credit.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Slavery, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Infidelity and Abortion
junothan's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Trafficking, Grief, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual content, Medical content, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood, Abortion, and Pregnancy
thirdtimesacharm's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Slavery, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and War
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Toxic relationship, Violence, Abortion, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
grayscale08's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Body shaming, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Blood, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Alcohol