Memoirs of a Geisha

Inthisliterarytourdeforce,novelistArthurGoldenentersaremoteandshimmeringlyexoticworld.FortheprotagonistofthispeerlesslyobservantfirstnovelisSayuri,oneofJapan'smostcelebratedgeisha,awomanwhoisbothperformerandcourtesan,slaveandgoddess.WefollowSayurifromherchildhoodinanimpoverishedfishingvillage,wherein1929,sheissoldtoarepresentativeofageishahouse,whoisdrawnbythechild'sunusualblue-greyeyes.FromtheresheistakentoGion,thepleasuredistrictofKyoto.Sheisnineyearsold.Intheyearsthatfollow,assheworkstopaybackthepriceofherpurchase,Sayuriwillbeschooledinmusicanddance,learntoapplythegeisha'selaboratemakeup,wearelaboratekimono,andcareforacoiffuresofragilethatitrequiresaspecialpillow.Shewillalsoacquireamagnanimoustutorandavenomousrival.Survivingtheintriguesofhertradeandtheupheavalsofwar,theresourcefulSayuriisaromanticheroineontheorderofJaneEyreandScarlettO'Hara.AndMemoirsofaGeishaisatriumphantwork-suspenseful,andutterlypersuasive.