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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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phenomenal story excellent narrator

it's hard to believe that this book was written by an American man. it's so convincing and the narrator is one of the best. definitely worth the listen

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Loved it!

I learned so much about another culture by listening to this book. They did a great job of describing life in Japan and I would highly recommend!

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What a wonderful story of a girls love

Extremely well written and poetic. There are often times that I would ask myself this is fiction, right? Because it seems utterly believable.

I have read this book several times actually, and I never grow tired of it.


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Wonderful story, read by Amazon’s Alexa

I read this about 10 years ago. I’d forgotten a lot, but the story came back as I listened. I recall enjoying the poetic way she described everything. The narrator was a bit flat, but this didn’t take anything away from the audiobook at all. My husband heard me listening to it one morning and said “She sounds just like Alexa!”. IT’S TRUE! I think Alexa has a side gig!

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Beautiful

Beautifully written and narrated -- as it is very long you wish there was more. If you want to enjoy the movie, watch it first, then read the book.

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Just as I remember

I had read this book many years ago and wanted to give the audio version a try...
If you aren’t familiar with the story, the book offers a wonderful look into the plight of women with limited choices in WW II era Japan. It is a facinitating look at how geisha were trained and the lives that they lived. Highly recommend it...

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Wow, very good

Great story. Leaves you wanting more, never wanting to put it down.

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Historic setting in Japan

Historically interesting story about an unknown phenomenon our culture: geisha. It tells the predicaments of a young girl in Japan before World War II, who just happens to find her destiny as a geisha. Excellent running companion, I enjoyed every minute of it.

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Good story overall

Started off a bit slow but came alive toward the end! The ending is lovely

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Heartbreaking

The story is incredibly sad, and the narrator is perfect, even being able to portray male voices.

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