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さゆり [Sayuri] #1
さゆり 上 [Sayuri 1]
九歳で売られ、芸を磨き、史上最高値で水揚げされ、男たちに愛された芸妓さゆりの生涯。かつてなく精緻に描かれた祇園の美と真実
334 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1999
15 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
About the author
Arthur Golden
15 books3,119 followersArthur Sulzberger Golden is an American writer. He is the author of the bestselling novel Memoirs of a Geisha (1997).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
July 29, 2018
I read this book ages ago and I really enjoyed reading this book.
At the moment I am compiling a list of all the books that I have read because I'm constantly buying books that I have already read.
This book was an exceptional and thought provoking. Recommended.
At the moment I am compiling a list of all the books that I have read because I'm constantly buying books that I have already read.
This book was an exceptional and thought provoking. Recommended.
August 11, 2015
Memoirs of a Geshia is the tale of a young woman who is sold and sent to be trained on the ancient art of Geisha.
I listened to the audio book. I am very neutral on this book. I found it slow and very long but the story for the most part was captivating enough that I didn't fall to sleep. I have seen the movie before I ever read the book and I liked the fact that the book gave a little more insight into the main characters life story
I listened to the audio book. I am very neutral on this book. I found it slow and very long but the story for the most part was captivating enough that I didn't fall to sleep. I have seen the movie before I ever read the book and I liked the fact that the book gave a little more insight into the main characters life story
October 25, 2010
This book was about the struggle of a little girl who's sold into being a geshia. She is taken away from her family, home town and everything she's ever know and thrown into this strange, bizarre ritual. She eventually tries to escape but is caught and it tells of her struggles to become a geshia and how to survive in this competitive, harsh world.
Ok so I was suprised to learn this wasn't about a real girl, the narrator convinced me that it was a real person. The feelings and emotions are so strong in this book that I myself couldn't help but feel helpless and lonely right along side her. The struggles the character goes through and tries to overcome are so vastly different than what I will ever have to. It's upsetting that women were told they didn't have control over their own destines and that they would become hopeless creatures. Without saying what the ending was, it made me like it a lot better.
I think the author was trying to tell the readers that they really do have the power to change their lives. Even though Sayuri is faced with unimaginable grief and is told "none of us can escape our destiny" (294) she finally does take charge of it. All the geshias are told that they have to be a certain way and Sayuri's older sister Mameha even tells her that hope and dreams are a dangerous thing. I believe the author is telling the readers that you really can overcome obstacles and challenge it. The main character finally does decide to try and take charge when urged by her friend Nobu. The authors message is clear that people have control and are able to make their lives a little bit better "Sometimes we get through adversity only by imagining what the world might look like if our dreams were to come true" (370). In the end Sayuri decides to help herself by doing some very dangerous things to her reputation and herself.
Ok so I was suprised to learn this wasn't about a real girl, the narrator convinced me that it was a real person. The feelings and emotions are so strong in this book that I myself couldn't help but feel helpless and lonely right along side her. The struggles the character goes through and tries to overcome are so vastly different than what I will ever have to. It's upsetting that women were told they didn't have control over their own destines and that they would become hopeless creatures. Without saying what the ending was, it made me like it a lot better.
I think the author was trying to tell the readers that they really do have the power to change their lives. Even though Sayuri is faced with unimaginable grief and is told "none of us can escape our destiny" (294) she finally does take charge of it. All the geshias are told that they have to be a certain way and Sayuri's older sister Mameha even tells her that hope and dreams are a dangerous thing. I believe the author is telling the readers that you really can overcome obstacles and challenge it. The main character finally does decide to try and take charge when urged by her friend Nobu. The authors message is clear that people have control and are able to make their lives a little bit better "Sometimes we get through adversity only by imagining what the world might look like if our dreams were to come true" (370). In the end Sayuri decides to help herself by doing some very dangerous things to her reputation and herself.
February 17, 2014
I really didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would have, because it's more about hearsay (between the characters)than anything else.IT's not that this is a bad novel, but also it's not a great novel by a long shot. Honestly, if I wanted to read a book solely based on gossip, then I would have read a tabloid magazine.
I felt that the novel seemed to just drag on endlessly, with very little structure going on (i.e. the incredibly slow progression with Chiryo/Sayuri going through her novice period as a Geshia), and by the time I finally finished this novel I felt that my name should belong on a plaque somewhere.
In the beginning, this novel was very interesting, because it showed not only the downfall of the main characters family, but also of herself as well - which was more interesting. However, once Sayuri's rise and struggles as a Geshia began, I felt very disconnected to her plight, and by the time I reached to Chapter Twenty-One I no longer cared, and this novel is thirty-Five Chapter's long.
Their were key events that led to the downfall and eventual decline of this novel, that bore me to tears. Hatsumomo lasted far longer in the story than she should have been, and Mameha at moments she didn't have a plan and the fact she kept accusing Sayuri all the time of informing to Hatsumomo.
It comes off as a cheap knock off of My Fair Lady, but with a villain in the story.
I have heard this truism, from time to time, and that is: "every kind of story that can ever be written already has been written". However, I would like to add to that saying and that is: "we are just retelling the same story again or adding a new twist to the story to make it sound fresh."
I think it would have been kinder if Mr. Golden kept this story to himself or had a better level of writer bring this tale to life.
I felt that the novel seemed to just drag on endlessly, with very little structure going on (i.e. the incredibly slow progression with Chiryo/Sayuri going through her novice period as a Geshia), and by the time I finally finished this novel I felt that my name should belong on a plaque somewhere.
In the beginning, this novel was very interesting, because it showed not only the downfall of the main characters family, but also of herself as well - which was more interesting. However, once Sayuri's rise and struggles as a Geshia began, I felt very disconnected to her plight, and by the time I reached to Chapter Twenty-One I no longer cared, and this novel is thirty-Five Chapter's long.
Their were key events that led to the downfall and eventual decline of this novel, that bore me to tears. Hatsumomo lasted far longer in the story than she should have been, and Mameha at moments she didn't have a plan and the fact she kept accusing Sayuri all the time of informing to Hatsumomo.
It comes off as a cheap knock off of My Fair Lady, but with a villain in the story.
I have heard this truism, from time to time, and that is: "every kind of story that can ever be written already has been written". However, I would like to add to that saying and that is: "we are just retelling the same story again or adding a new twist to the story to make it sound fresh."
I think it would have been kinder if Mr. Golden kept this story to himself or had a better level of writer bring this tale to life.
July 25, 2013
Arthur Golden, you had me fooled! I thought this was a real memoir at first, until my sister told me that it was a novel. You have to be a pretty damn good writer to fool a lot of people into believing the book is real memoir.
That being said, this is a BEAUTIFULLY written book. Arthur Golden managed to write like he was young Chiyo in 1930s Japan. He was also able to make her grow into the wise young geisha that is Sayuri. I was very taken by the poetic way in which Golden wrote, as well as the believability of the circumstances. I learned a lot about geisha, women who I thought were nothing more than Japanese prostitutes before reading this book.
It was required summer reading for my AP Composition class, and honestly, I couldn't put it down. I'm pretty sure I've never enjoyed reading a book that I was forced to read as much as I enjoyed reading this one. We watched the movie at the end of the year as well, and that is a must-see.
I got lost in the world of geisha thanks to Golden, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!
That being said, this is a BEAUTIFULLY written book. Arthur Golden managed to write like he was young Chiyo in 1930s Japan. He was also able to make her grow into the wise young geisha that is Sayuri. I was very taken by the poetic way in which Golden wrote, as well as the believability of the circumstances. I learned a lot about geisha, women who I thought were nothing more than Japanese prostitutes before reading this book.
It was required summer reading for my AP Composition class, and honestly, I couldn't put it down. I'm pretty sure I've never enjoyed reading a book that I was forced to read as much as I enjoyed reading this one. We watched the movie at the end of the year as well, and that is a must-see.
I got lost in the world of geisha thanks to Golden, and I would do it again in a heartbeat!
November 18, 2011
this book is about a young girl who is sold by her father after her mother dies. she is brought violently into a world where looking good is your greatest asset. she is taught to be the finest geshia and is beaten for slipping up in even the slightest way. i thought that this book was a really really great book. the sad parts brought me to tears and the happy parts made me smile brighter then the sun. i was so shocked when i got to the end of the book and discovered that this was not a true story. i am amazed at the dedication the author put into this book and the way he described the setting was as if i was there. i would recommend this book to anyone who is willing to get lost in a book. this book is truly a 'good read'
September 13, 2011
I began listening to this story, but the narrator was so horrible that I began to dislike the book. It seemed very slow and uninteresting. I gave the book a try around chapter nine and I was hooked. Lovely. I didn't know a thing about Geishas and find it all very intriguing. The job description seems to be a cross between an a very well-behaved escort and an entertainer. I can't wrap my American brain around the idea of having a wife and a geisha, one for fun and one for home.
February 6, 2016
For me this book was really hard to get into. There were some pick ups however it soon slowed down again once more. A lot of people think this book is extraordinary and I'm not saying they are wrong but I did not enjoy it as much as someone else might have. I did like learning about older traditions that geshia had in Japan before and after WWII and I thought the main character was interesting. The best part of this book however was the ending. It brought everything back in full circle.
January 7, 2016
Having honeymooned in Japan, and attending Geshia and tea ceremonies, this book transported me back to Kyoto. The story was interesting but I did not like the narration at times, it was not authentic, second hand. But then again, it was written by an American man, and the thoughts were said to be from a real Geshia. The movie and soundtrack was stunning.
July 29, 2016
Well and in this case i watched the movie first and it was again interesting but not sooooo much . I felt
that the book is better days later when i stopped myself thinking about how much i want to go to Japan and see with my on eyes this amazing culture .This style of life nooo this beauty of life.
that the book is better days later when i stopped myself thinking about how much i want to go to Japan and see with my on eyes this amazing culture .This style of life nooo this beauty of life.
June 25, 2015
Ok, I saw the previews for the movie. I made a point to get the book and read it. Did not allow myself to watch the movie until I finished. I am glad I did. Both the movie and the book were beautifully done, I love and own both.
April 4, 2016
I read this book when I was only 15, its mature storyline and rich japanese history makes this book one I will never ever forget. I am still waiting for my travels to take me to Japan as it has been a country of much fascination to me since reading this amazing memoir.
February 2, 2018
Seductive, sensual descriptions of the life and traditions of a geisha and her rival as their virginities and services are auctioned off and used. The male author gives convincing voice to this female character.
July 31, 2018
Shows the depths of what is originally thought of a normal, low class girl in imperial Japan, turned epic and sophisticated story of politics and passing of power between women that cant make a decision of their own for their own.
February 15, 2020
I had been putting off reading this I wasn’t sure what to expect however, I loved getting to know the characters. It is beautifully written and lots of twists and a rollercoaster of emotions I certainly feel i want to read more about Japanese culture now.
November 7, 2020
Thought provoking, emotional read gives a big appericiation to were tradition in this topic come from. Hugely shows the importance of family and that all family is not 2.4 kids . Highly recomend !! Sad i finished it to be honest
March 8, 2023
This was beautifully written and I found myself forgetting about my surrounding and imagining myself in Gion. This book is very well made! I want to travel to Japan at some point to put places to names!
March 29, 2024
I read in Japanese so it took quite some time for me to finish it. I love this book even though there are a lot of inacurracies about geishas world. Still very interesting and learned a lot of new vocabularies my target language.
I personnaly recommend it !
I personnaly recommend it !
December 17, 2008
The author makes you feel like you are in the story and you can sense, feel the surroundings.
Book flows very well.
Book flows very well.
Read
July 6, 2009Did not like this book. Not sure what the big deal was, am I just super dense? Hmmmm...the thing that really bugged me was the term, "At length" that was used all the time. Stupid book.
July 24, 2009
Incredible book
February 25, 2011
Really good story, holds the readers attention well and offers a look into Japanese culture.
March 27, 2018
A beautiful book that captures the culture and traditions of the Japanese that has now ceased to exist.
July 7, 2011
This was a wonderfully written book. The character development and setting were so realistic , the reader sees Japan through Sayuri's eyes. This book is definately on my worth reading twice list.
July 25, 2011
AWESOME, I couldn't wait to read each night to see "what the girls were up to"
September 18, 2024
Loved the movie, and HAD to read the book. I would recommend to anyone.
August 3, 2016
Great book. You really get an idea of what it may have been like to be a poor little girl sold to the highest bidder. The quote about not choosing to be a Geisha repeats over and over in your head.
February 23, 2016
A very interesting book.
November 13, 2016
The most beautiful story! Love love love!!!
March 1, 2017
This was a very interesting book detailing the development and life of a geshia.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews