One sentence summary
‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ is a captivating novel that tells the story of a young girl’s journey to becoming a renowned geisha in 1930s Japan.
Book genre
Historical Fiction, Coming-of-Age
Main topic of the book
The book explores the intricacies of the geisha culture in pre-World War II Japan and the sacrifices and struggles of a young girl who is sold into the profession.
Key ideas
- Geisha culture in Japan during the 1930s
- Rise of a young girl from a poor fishing village to becoming a geisha
- Intricacies of geisha training and traditions
- Cultural and societal expectations imposed on geishas
- Love, betrayal, and rivalries in the geisha world
Main parts of the book and a short summary
- Part One: Sayuri’s Childhood
- Part Two: The Apprentice
- Part Three: The Star
- Part Four: The Chairman
- Part Five: Snow Before Cherry Blossoms
Sayuri, a young girl from a fishing village, is sold to a geisha house in Gion, Kyoto. She is mentored by the experienced geisha, Mameha, and faces numerous challenges as she learns the art of being a geisha.
Sayuri becomes Mameha’s apprentice and begins her transformation into a geisha. She also catches the attention of a powerful businessman, known as the Chairman, who becomes her object of desire.
Sayuri’s geisha career takes off as she becomes popular among men. However, she faces intense competition from a fellow geisha, Hatsumomo, who sees her as a threat. Sayuri’s growing feelings for the Chairman also complicate things.
Sayuri’s relationship with the Chairman deepens, but she is torn between her love for him and her duty as a geisha. She also faces obstacles in her personal and professional life, including the outbreak of World War II.
The war has ended and Sayuri sets out to find the Chairman, who had left Japan. She faces the ultimate decision of choosing between love and duty as her past comes back to haunt her.
Key takeaways
- The geisha profession was highly complex and required years of training and dedication.
- The geisha culture was deeply rooted in tradition and emphasized perfection in every aspect of a geisha’s life.
- Geishas were expected to entertain and please men, but also had to navigate complex relationships and rivalries among themselves.
- The book also sheds light on the societal and cultural expectations imposed on geishas and the sacrifices they had to make.
Author’s background and qualifications
Arthur Golden is an American author who previously worked as a journalist in Tokyo, Japan. He spent over a decade researching and interviewing geishas to accurately depict their lives and culture in his novel. He has also written other critically acclaimed novels such as ‘Sisters’ and ‘Lost on a Rainy Day’.
Target audience
The book is geared towards adults and fans of historical fiction, coming-of-age stories, and Japanese culture.
Publisher and first publication date
Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, September 23, 1997