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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)

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What listeners say about Memoirs of a Geisha

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I love it

Can’t count the number of times I have reread this, it’s beautiful. Just read it!

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Memoirs of a Geisha

I have read the book….excellent. I have seen the movie….it was great.
And now I have listened to the book. I was extremely pleased with it. It draws one into it, I really enjoyed it. It follows the book.

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  • Overall
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A true love story

We never know where the path will take us for it twists and turns until we end up right where we need to be.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Wonderful

This book was FANTASTIC... It takes you into a world not seen from the outside. congratulations

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  • Overall
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True art, finest storytelling, thought provoking

I have read memoirs of a geisha in hardback, and I have Dale listen to the audible version, and I have to say I think I prefer the audible version. Only in that the delivery, and the voices, bring the story to life. When I read, I tend to go too fast, but the nature of an audible book forces one to hear every single word. I am sure that I will one day, again, listen to this book. It is a piece of art. It is entertaining. It has lessons to teach.

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Lovely! Exceeded expectations

I am someone who is usually into science fiction and mystery thrillers, but I decided to give this book a chance. It turned out to be such a lovely story that transported me to a unique and captivating new world. It's definitely more memorable than many of my other reads/listens.

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worth the credit

I learned a lot about the Geisha culture. it was good kept me engaged the whole time. I would recommend it.

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In Defense of the Narrator

This is the best novel I have ever listened to. As a guy who spends at least 3 hours a day commuting to and from work, I have listen to a lot of audio books. I want to come to the defense of the narrator, who has been disparaged by several reviewers. She is perfect in every way. Her voice is beautiful and exotic. And she plays the part exactly as I envision Sayuri would speak if she were telling her story - elegantly, but with a matter-of-fact cadence and a detachment required for her sanity and dignity. Of course, you are free to question the wisdom of a guy who spends at least 3 hours a day commuting to and from work.

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77 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

So Real I thought it Was Non-Fiction

I bought the printed book some time ago but never got around to reading it so I decided to get the audible version. I am glad I did as it is probably the best audio book I have heard to date. From the very beginning I was entranced and drawn into the world of this Geisha. The accent and tone of the narrator was so appropriate it made me believe it really was Sayuri telling her story to me. I could not stop listening until the story had been told through to the end. In fact it wasn't until I picked up the physical book did I realize that this was in fact a fictional novel based on actual historical facts rather than a true biography.

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9 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing and beautiful

It is almost impossible to believe that this story was written by a man. Still, this does not mean that a man cannot appreciate the beauty and near perfection of this story. An amazing piece of literature that I believe will be one which will endure through time as one of the great books.

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2 people found this helpful