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Writing a review of a novel as rich in content and as varied in approach as Memoirs of a Geisha is not easy. And that comes along with an added risk - bibliophiles tend to be opinionated on subjects as sensitive and debatable as the Geisha culture. So, I would suggest you throw your reservations to the burner for a while and enjoy this simple story and marvel at the style of its narration.
Call it a love story, a tale of struggle, dreams, ambitions, and desires - Memoirs of a Geisha has it all. It gives a captivating account of a woman's journey through life. A thorough entertainer, every chapter in the book comes with a unique offering - from entertainment at a teahouse to the art of mastering the kimono-wearing technique, the concept of danna to the glitz of a Gion. The author's portrayal of every aspect of the protagonist's life and her interactions with other characters in vivid detail points to years of dedicated research and an ingenuous mind at its imaginative best.
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For most of us who have never tried to imagine Japan beyond its technology revolution, the term 'Geisha' may appear to be a synonym for 'prostitute'. But this is perhaps the remotest association a fellow Japanese would like to mention while talking about a Geisha. And that's precisely what Arthur Golden refrains in his beautifully woven, fast paced, beguiling debut novel. So, if you thought this book to be an introduction to the Far East through the eyes of a foreigner, you are mistaken. The best thing about this book is that it will exceed your expectations and wipe away any pre-conceived notions that you may have about the geisha culture or Japanese society at large. Set in the backdrop of early 20th century Japan, the author takes us through major happenings across the world (e.g. The Depression) while at the same time complementing that with mundane happenings in the life of Chiyo- aka Sayuri.
The story is full of surprises. I didn't know if I was more surprised or shocked when I reached the "Acknowledgement" section in the book. It opens with the following sentence: "Memoirs of a Geisha is a novel and the character of Sayuri and her story are my own inventions". To many readers, the 'fiction' angle has come as a total bouncer. By the time you reach the end of the story, you would be so mesmerized that it would be hard to believe this is a work of fiction and not a first-hand real-life account.
Golden's meticulous planning of the content, attention to detail and above all creativity have made this novel a treat for the reader. Whether it is the innocent dialogue between Chiyo and her sister Satsu or the more refined conversations between Sayuri and her clients, Golden holds all the strings together providing fullness to each important character and not undermining the importance of one over the other. So even though Memoirs of a Geisha is Sayuri's story, it could also well be the story of Satsu, Hatsumomo, Mameha or several others.
A geisha's ambition to be a professional in entertaining men and grooming herself accordingly, existence of training schools to help women realize this unconventional ambition are certain things that you would not really like to glorify nor easily relate to. But witness it through the eyes of a geisha, and you would be surprised by their knowledge, skills, and single-minded devotion to reach their goal. The best part is that you don't need to try too hard to remember the long, unfamiliar Japanese names of this whole array of characters. This is primarily because of the gripping storyline and the lucid language that is characteristic of this novel. The use of subtle tinges of humor in the midst of serious circumstances lightens the mood of the reader but does not dilute the importance of the issue. Referring to certain characters by code names, Dr. Crab and Pumpkin will really make you laugh! |
The way the author treats romance is beautiful. Take for instance Sayuri's observation prior to meeting her beau: "As a woman I believed that passion must surely fade with age, just as a cup left standing will gradually give up its contents to the air…" It is really this eloquence and sensitivity that make Golden stand out among his contemporaries.
If you are wondering whether to watch the movie or read the book, I recommend you start with the book. You may well be tempted to write a review!
Review by M Bhaduri
Designed by Subhadip Mukherjee
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Arthur Golden was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was educated at Harvard College, where he received a degree in art history, specializing in Japanese art. In 1980 he earned an M.A. in Japanese history from Columbia University, where he also learned Mandarin Chinese. Following a summer in Beijing University, he worked in Tokyo, and, after returning to the United States, earned an M.A. in English from Boston University. He resides in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his wife and two children. Memoirs of a Geisha is his first novel.
Courtesy: www.randomhouse.com/vintage
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