Book: Memoirs of a Geisha

Well i just finished the book: Memoirs of a Geisha today. When i started reading it, i was under the impression that the book was going to be dull and drab. Damn was i wrong. This epic historical was an absolute fantastic read, and i could hardly stop when the plot started picking up halfway through the book.

This fictional book revolves around a character named Sakamoto Chiyo or later given a Geisha stage name of Nitta Sayuri. She was sold off by her father to a teahouse (?) where she is prepared to be trained as a Geisha. Of course, nothing goes as expected and the book shows the hardships she goes through to finally become a geisha. Although, one of the reasons she strives to become one is because of her obsession with a charming man named Mr Haa, who cheered her up when she was a child crying by the roadside.

If Chiyo/Sayuri is the protagonist of this book, the popular but beastly geisha staying with her called Hatsumomo is probably the antagonist of the book. Hatsumomo turns the protag's life into a living hell and manages to get away with it because she was one of the main income earners in the house.She is depicted as a mean, cruel woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, even if it meant destroying someone's future in the process. I do hate her so, but i can't deny that their rivalry was what kept the book interesting. It is also clear that Hatsumomo has a big impact on Chiyo/Sayuri's life because even after she leaves, something of hers always comes back to bite her.

Another thing emphasized in this novel is the reality of being a Geisha. They are nothing more then 'high' end prostitues. The only thing different about them is the fact that they have 'dannas', meaning masters. These 'dannas' pay for their expenses, debts and lavish them with expensive gifts. Their virginity is also sold to the highest bidder and this ceremony is called the 'mizukage'. I hope that i didn't spell that wrongly. Haha.

The protagonist finally realizes in her old age that life cannot be controlled; it always moves and washes everything away with it. Happiness and sorrow does not stay for long because we are always moving forward. I glad to have read this novel. It isn't overly dramatic and mushy, instead it shows us that romance in the real world is not as easy as books and movies make it seem.