Memoirs of a Geisha

Unabridged
Author: Arthur Golden
Narrator: Bernadette Dunne
Genres: Fiction
Publisher: Random House (Audio)
Date: October 2007
Length: 18 hours
Ratings:
Formats:
  • CD
  • iPod
Abridged
Author: Arthur Golden
Narrator: Elaina Erika Davis
Genres: Fiction
Publisher: Random House Audio Assets
Date: October 2007
Length: 3 hours
Ratings:
  • Book Rating: 4/5
Formats:
  • CD
  • iPod

Suggested Titles

Overview

"Speaking to us with the wisdom of age and in a voice at once haunting and immediate, Nitta Sayuri tells the story of her life as a geisha. 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. It concludes with World War II when the geisha houses are forced to close and Sayuri reinvents herself and finds a rare kind of freedom on her own terms. Arthur Golden was educated at Harvard College, where he received a degree in art history, specializing in Japanese art.

"Astonishing...a breathtaking performance...by the time you realize the extent of [the geisha's] professional skill, you are seduced as completely as any of her clients hungry for her story." (Washington Post)"

Selected Reviews

Not so good

by Alicia from Austin, TX
  • Book Rating: 3/5

Memoirs of a Geisha

by Sharon Allen
  • Book Rating: 4/5

More...

Read All 28

Reviews (28)

Not so good

Written by Alicia from Austin, TX on February 11th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 3/5

I may be the only person in the world that didn't really like this book. I was disappointed by the ending, and I thought it really was a poor attempt to glorify what in effect was prostitution. The writing is well done, and it was interesting to learn about the customs and history of Geisha. But overall I would not recommend this book.

Memoirs of a Geisha

Written by Sharon Allen on February 4th, 2008

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I was uneasy about reading a book by a white male on the very private inner life of naturally modest Japanese women in an even more discreet profession. But the author clearly did his research, and whether or not the details of this secret society are accurate, the writing rings authentic. I was disappointed with the reader's voice: her inflection was monotone, and her mispronunciation of the Japanese words was distracting if not at times annoying. I think next time I'd prefer to read it in print rather than listening to it (this version, at any rate).

Wonderful listen

Written by Kelly Abad on December 14th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

I really enjoyed this book. I would say that it is one of my favorites. I enjoyed the detail and the opportunity to see into the life of a Geisha.

Wonderful Story

Written by Robert Lanois on September 19th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This is a story everyone should listen to. In all of the books this rates as one of my favorites. The reader does such a great job with the story making it as real as any. I would rate her nearly as good as Jim Dale (Harry Potter).

Memoris of a Geisha

Written by Arlene on September 10th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

The person who read the novel did a great job with the character's voices and the overall mood of the story. Although I enjoyed the book very much - especially the details and descriptions given at the beginning, I felt that the ending was rushed. Highly recommended.

memoirs of a geisha

Written by Elizabeth Manuge on August 30th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

i really liked this book. it is told with restraint, integrity and an affection for this girl who had such a hard life fitting into the demands being geisha put upon her. i felt i understood exactly what it would be like first of all to be kidnapped and sold into the hands of 'mother' who saw all these young girls as money makers. this girl was different and emerged as a strong person with a purpose in her life ie to take control of her life and make her own decisions. its hard to believe this story was written by a man. it is a fascinating story, makes one want to meet this woman. it would have been nice if the reader had had a japanese accent.

Memoirs of a Geisha

Written by Lyn Dibble from , on August 29th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 4/5

I was young sailor in the 50's and my ships made many visits to Japan, saw what were probably many Geishas. Just never knew where they fit in sociality. Very good book have ordered the movie to see how they pesented it. My copy of the book have been used quite a bit and had some areas that skipped. I was still able to keep the flow of the story. Looking forward to the movie.

A Joy

Written by Anonymous from , on July 12th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

This book is by far the most interesting, informative, entertaining audio book I've heard. I loved the author's use of metaphors and similies. The imagery was powerful. I listened to it twice!

Best Ever

Written by KC from , on July 4th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 5/5

What an amazing book. I saw the movie first and was thus intrigued into reading the book. I couldn't put it down. The images and scenes that are evoked from this book are amazing. I was sorry to see it end.

Memoirs of a Geisha

Written by Jean Enright on June 12th, 2007

  • Book Rating: 1/5

I thought this book was awful. I must of got the abridged version as everything talked about was so glossed over. For example: she went to "parties". It didn't say what happened there. There were no details of anything about what geishas do. I thought they were like a paid escort but absolutely nothing referencing this. I read the other reviews and can't understand why everyone liked this book!

Selected Reviews

Not so good

by Alicia from Austin, TX
  • Book Rating: 3/5

Memoirs of a Geisha

by Sharon Allen
  • Book Rating: 4/5

More...

Read All 28