Date Finished: 04/08/2012
My Rating: 4/5
I was expecting to like this book. I went to see Memoirs of a Geisha at the cinema when it came out at the cinema several years ago. In fact, it was my first UK lone cinema trip, and I remember feeling really self-conscious about being on my own. That is, until about a minute and a half into it, when I completely forgot I was in a cinema at all and was transported to the Geisha world. The second reason that I thought I would like the book is that a friend of mine at work who I have similar taste to when it comes to novels had read it recently, loved it and said that she couldn't put it down. I was slightly surprised by this, as it didn't seem to be the kind of book that ended each chapter on such a cliff-hanger that you just had to keep reading. She was right though, and once I started I also found it difficult to put down.
This is an incredibly well written book. Golden really takes you on the journey with Sayuri, the central character. It's not just the story that makes this book intriguing, however, but the insight into a culture that is so different to anything I have known myself. At times tender and thoughtful, other parts of Memoirs are sad and there are some bits that will make you laugh. He tackles each of the obstacles that Sayuri has to overcome with genuine understanding of that world.
Essentially, Memoirs is a love story. But really, it is so much more than that.
So, who should read this book? Well, if you like love stories you should. If you like learning about other cultures you should. If you like well-written stories you should. If you like good characters in your books you should. This is now in my all-time favourite books, so, actually I think everyone should take a chance and read it! If you're disappointed, you should let me know why. And I will then mock you for having no soul.
Next Book: Noughts and Crosses, Malorie Blackman
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