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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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Great story

Not sad until conclusion then hit hard at the entirety great great great great great

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My #1 favorite audiobook of all time.

This book immediately transported me to another place, culture and time. I was sucked in by the reader (amazing) and mesmerized by her story. What added to my experience, however, was that I thought this was a true story, as it read like one, told by the woman herself. The story is painful, beautiful and ultimately satisfying. I don't think I've listened to 18 hours of audio faster than I did with this book. I've listened to it 2 more times since. Absolute gem.

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Started Reading in 2001, Finished Today

Had not realized I hadn't finished the book while on vacation in 2001, but it had made such an impression on me. Devoured it this 2nd time and since I finished it, in my mind it was like enjoying the sequel.

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SO much better than the great movie!

there is so much more to the book than there was in the movie. I literally couldn't stop listening to the boom

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Lovely

I have read the actual book twice and watched the movie quite a few times. Each time I enjoy it as my first. Great memoir!

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I loved the entire book!

This book is very long. But at no point was it dragging. Great story! It's crazy that someone lived a life so eventful.

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Excellent Experience

I felt like I was there in Japan, seeing the beautiful, full life of a geisha. This is a beautiful story, narrated perfectly. I will listen to it again.

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Fascinating and moving

The memoir is moving, poetic, and gives you a gaze into a "secret" world. This was a beautifully written account that left me wanting to hear more wish every chapter.

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Wonderful !

This book is so vivid, I throughly enjoyed every chapter . I was sad when it was over.

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Excellent reader and good story

Very interesting story - I understand that it’s a Western man’s view of what it would be like to be a Kyoto Geisha, but is one of the few novels about the subject.

The narrator is fantastic!

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