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Memoirs of a Geisha  By  cover art

Memoirs of a Geisha

By: Arthur Golden
Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne
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Editorial reviews

After the death of her mother, a young girl from a rural fishing village is sold to a Geisha House in the Gion District of Kyoto. Her fate continually twists, along with Japan's, before, during and after World War II.

This listen captures with great detail the lush glamour of a geisha's world, as well as the brutal realities of indentured servitude. The experience is superior to that of the movie, because each moment is mined for maximum insight. Protocols and relationships, even food and finances, are also meticulously described. The result is total immersion in this fascinating culture.

The narration may seem reserved, but that is appropriate given the book's setting. The sexual content is also very discreet and appropriate. Watching the movie is only getting your feet wet; get the full experience through this listen, a bewitching strong step into not just another time, but another world.

Publisher's summary

Nitta Sayuri tells us in a voice at once haunting and startlingly immediate of her life as a geisha. Her story begins in a poor fishing village in 1929, when, as a nine-year-old girl with unusual blue-gray eyes, she is taken from her home and sold into slavery to a renowned geisha house. We witness her transformation as we enter a world where appearances are paramount; where a girl's virginity is auctioned to the highest bidder; where women are trained to beguile the most powerful men; and where love is scorned as illusion.

It is a unique and triumphant work of fiction - at once romantic, erotic, suspenseful - and completely unforgettable.

©1997 Arthur Golden; Copyright ©1998 by Random House, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Astonishing...Breathtaking...You are seduced completely." (Washington Post Book World)
"...a bravura performance, a first novel that provides a vivid view into a largely lost and secret world." (The Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Review)

Featured Article: The Best Historical Fiction Audiobooks


Often based on real people, events, and scenarios, historical fiction gives us the opportunity to learn about worlds and times we will never experience while introducing fascinating characters and stories set in their midst. Sometimes, the genre can even give us a peek into hidden storylines that routinely go unmentioned in traditional history books, showing us that those of ages past are perhaps not so different from ourselves.

What listeners say about Memoirs of a Geisha

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Amazing

This is my favorite audiobook (and book) of all time. It is well performed, it is deep, it is riveting, and understated. If you like historical fiction this ones for you. The humanity really comes through the story.

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    5 out of 5 stars

My favorite book and performer ever.

This particular rendition. of Memoirs of A Geisha has been my favorite for years. Bernadette Dunne makes me forget this is a book and brings the characters to life. if I could only take one book, this would be it.

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    5 out of 5 stars

unexpectedly good

I wasn't sure I wanted to listen to this book and selected it with some hesitation. But I am so glad I did! I was totally drawn into the story and found it stayed with me long after I finished. The glimpse into another culture and another time was fascinating and Sayuri's journey through life was compelling. I want to see the movie but am afraid that it will not be able to compare to my own vision of the okiya, the streets and teahouses of Gion, and the wonderfully wicked Hatsumomo.

I cannot speak highly enough of the reader, Bernadette Dunne. She brought Sayuri to life and was the perfect choice for this book.

If you're on the fence about this one, as I was, get it.

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    5 out of 5 stars

The best book ever.

Would you listen to Memoirs of a Geisha again? Why?

I would definitely listen again and again. It is a w2onderfully read story. It loses you in it and makes you appreciate that you are so blessed as to have choices in life.

What did you like best about this story?

That its true

What does Bernadette Dunne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The strength of the character. I really appreciate the difference between her inner thinking and the "Geisha" voice she uses out loud. She made her so strong in her self.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

NOOOOOOOOOOOO! I savored it and made it special@!

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  • dk
  • 11-06-16

Great storytelling. an insight into secluded life

As an Asian I am usually weary of westerners wruting asian story in superficial brusqueness. However this was very delicately written. a fine performance by the reader as well.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Captivated

While I haven't listened to many audio books -- this one has captured me like no other. I don't really know how to express my fascination with this story -- my heart seems to ache for the life and treatment that Geisha received. It's difficult for me to understand this type of culture where young girls were treated as pure sexual pleasures -- with what seems like little or no emotional feeling for them. I never thought of myself as prudish, but it's hard for me to comprehend this manner of cold calculated behavior.

You'll love the book -- and likely not be affected as much as I was -- what a sap I can be.

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captivating story

I read this book several years ago wen it was released , then saw the movie... this is one of the most heart warming and heart breaking stories I have ever read. a must read for all.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

The unabridged version is fabulous

This was a wonderful "read"! It is a telling statement that is relevant for today regarding the effect of poverty on women's lives. It is a fascinating story of the times which echoes into this day of children being sold into sexual slavery. The geisha of this story lived as a geisha in pre and post World War II Japan. In some way she seems to romanticize her life; however, this is understandable given that she was sold to be a geisha at an early age due to the imminent death of her mother and stepfather. I was drawn along into the story and recommend it highly. I learned a lot about the Japanese culture of the past and as mentioned above, it?s lessons are valuable today.

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Fascinating.

This is an enlightening story. Well told and the narrator was a good choice for this book. I enjoyed it.

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Absolutely wonderful!!

The movie does the book NO justice, as so much was left out! Beautiful and educational.

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