A review by elli_friend
Die Geisha by Arthur Golden

emotional sad medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

I absolutely adored this book and I kinda loath myself for it. The book is beautifully written, thrilling, and I soon found myself fully indulged by it. Yes, the book can be disturbing at some parts, especially those depicting minor/adult (sexual) relationships, but i believe it was the authors full intention to revoke these emotions in the reader. However, once you look closer at the book through a more critical lenses many flaws and a lot of problematic content becomes apparent. A memoir of a geisha is a form of orientalism with a dash of fetishisation and a bitter aftertaste of a female mc written by a male author, aka a lot of objectification. At the end of the day it’s just another inaccurate portrayal of the far east by the west.  Anyone considering reading this book shouldn’t expect historical accuracy or an in-depth analysis of Japanese culture but instead should read the book for what it is: historical FICTION.
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