Memoirs of a Geisha - worth seeing?
Just too see what all the fuss was about, I read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden. I didn't expect to be blown away, but I absolutely was, and I read the whole thing in a few days. If you haven't read it, you really should.
The book is written in the perspective of a poor fisherman's daughter, and follows her transformation into one of Tokyo's most famous Geisha. I can't explain why this book was so good, or so hard to put down, but it was truly enthralling. I guess, part of it was seeing the differences in Japanese culture and eroticism from our own (in my case, being a British-born Chinese). Golden succeeds in making Sayuri's character believable and lovable. What amazes me is how he manages to cross so many divides: male to female, Western-Japanese, modern day-1930's Japan in his writing.
Has anyone seen the film? It didn't get many great reviews, but I'm dying to see how all the characters were portrayed by the actors, and if they managed to get all of Sayuri's thoughts and emotions across on the screen. Not to mention seeing the aspects of 1930's Tokyo and comparing them to the picture I've built up inside my head.
Will I be disappointed?
The book is written in the perspective of a poor fisherman's daughter, and follows her transformation into one of Tokyo's most famous Geisha. I can't explain why this book was so good, or so hard to put down, but it was truly enthralling. I guess, part of it was seeing the differences in Japanese culture and eroticism from our own (in my case, being a British-born Chinese). Golden succeeds in making Sayuri's character believable and lovable. What amazes me is how he manages to cross so many divides: male to female, Western-Japanese, modern day-1930's Japan in his writing.
Has anyone seen the film? It didn't get many great reviews, but I'm dying to see how all the characters were portrayed by the actors, and if they managed to get all of Sayuri's thoughts and emotions across on the screen. Not to mention seeing the aspects of 1930's Tokyo and comparing them to the picture I've built up inside my head.
Will I be disappointed?
Sounds like Memoirs of a Geisha is worth a read then. Reading the book before watching the film is always a must-do.
~*Gems*~ xx
And your baby girl is gorgeous :)
From what I remember, it was full of eloquent descriptions of impressions and snatched conversations and flashes of people through windows. Voyeuristic is the word, but also charming. Well, that could be me, I mean I read it way over 10 yrs ago, and I was so naive then...
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Also, my friend Haruko and I were having the oddest conversation last month about the erotic zones in different cultures. She said for the Japanese it is the nape of the neck, which is true because I've seen enough Japanese prints in my time to notice a focus on that, much more than the face.
YM, when the girls are in bed perhaps, and you have a quiet moment :)
Livvy, interesting. I might see if I can get a copy of that.
Re cultural eroticism, I'm glad I don't live in China when little feet were considered erotic. Ouch.
Boso! Finally someone who has seen the movie! I might have to go rent it - I usually get my DVDs from Hong Kong/China, but I can't wait til xmas!
However I'll do a book review entry on BookBuffs mentioning, and linking, to this entry during the week.
Flighty, thanks! I keep meaning to visit Bookbuffs, thanks for reminding me!