Memoirs of a Geisha

Status: Finished
Rating: 10/10
Review:

The first time that I saw (or heard) the words MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA was about four years ago when the film adaptation of this book was shown and became a huge success. I have seen the film trough DVD and wow! The movie is indeed really good. During that time, I wasn't found of reading books at all, that is why I it took me four years before I secured a copy of myself of the book. Just last three weeks, I finally acquired a copy of the book. I started reading it as soon as I bought it. And wow! It is so captivating. Last night, I finished the book and up until now, I still have 'hangovers' about the story. In other words, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA is one of the stories that will last a lifetime.

It is a good thing that I have seen the movie before reading the book. It helped me imagine what must the characters and the setting might have looked like. It is not that the description of the settings and the events in the book was not clear, It is just that I don't have much time imagining things. However, I did enjoyed reading the book than seeing the movie.

Characters

Nitta Sayuri. As depicted in the book, Nitta Sayuri is just a fragile girl, hoping to find a 'home' after losing her family. Her only aim is to find love and compassion. She grew up in a harsh environment but with just a quick moment of kindness, she learned to be strong and have a goal for herself. In the end she became a really happy woman and gained the love she always longed for.

Chairman Iwamura. The Chairman played a very important role in Sayuri's life. Upon finding her downtown, He instantly gave Sayuri the strength to live. Though the Chairman throughout the book is just an entity that may seem to be a nuisance or just an object of Sayuri's fantasies, he is indeed a very important character for he did changed Sayuri's life.

Pumpkin. One of my favorite characters. Like Sayuri, Pumpkin is also a victim of the system where they both  grew up. What I like about Pumpkin is her vulnerability and how does it is to be human. She had a simple dream in life that is to have a place that she can stay forever, however, Sayuri accidentally snatched it from her and thus became a fracture that was never mended. 

Hatsumomo. The wicked witch! Hatsumomo is a ruthless piece of beauty. I love her because I hate her. Ironies? Yes. however you can't just feel hatred against her for she is as vulnerable as Sayuri and Pumpkin is. It is just her defeat fueled up her ruthlessness. She really made Sayuri's life a living hell and she did drived Pumpkin to the pit but I can't simply blame her for she is also a victim of the Geisha system in that time. Moreover, I just love Gong Li and her depiction of Hatsumomo is simply fabulous.

Mameha. The greatest geisha in Gion. Anyway Mameha is the one who transformed Sayuri from Chiyo. She is the most successful geisha in Gion that time but she is also a victim of the system. However, unlike Hatsumomo, she became a greater person and used what she gathered and she learned to her advantage. Her greatest defeat was her being a victim of love. For she can't expect to be loved in return by the Baron, her danna, She just concealed her feeling behind her greatness. 

Mother. She has the blood of Mr. Krabs! Her driving force is money that's all. Moreover, she made Sayuri, Pumpkin and even Hatsumomo miserable. A total wicked woman.

Auntie. The failed geisha. She did became a failure but she did helped Sayuri since her arrival to the okiya. A minor role but with major impact.

Nobu. A former friend of Sayuri and played a major role in her life. She wanted to own Sayuri since he laid eyes on her and became a hindrance between Sayuri and the Chairman.

Baron. He is just Mameha's danna. That's all!

Setting

Well it is Japan and just imagine a city full of Japanese tradition and arts.

Movie Adaptation

The movie did tried to be faithful with the book however to save screen time and to have a more cinematic appeal, the movie ended up loosely based on the book. Anyway, it is a good attempt to show the story to more people especially to those who are not into reading.

Verdict

It is not a waste of time reading the book at all. It did taught me about the traditions and culture of Japan before WWII and also how they suffered during and after the war. Also, the story taught me of life in general. How to be vulnerable and to use one's vulnerability in the advantage of other. I am satisfied with the book and with the time I spent reading it.