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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
As always, this book is one of my favorites. It is a nonfiction memoir that reads like fiction. Arthur Golden spoke at length with and consulted Mineko heavily before writing Memoirs of a Geisha.
The ruby peach pit gift was inspired from the stories Mineko tells in her own book.
Wanted to reread and refresh before I go to Kyoto and meet geisha and maiko.
The ruby peach pit gift was inspired from the stories Mineko tells in her own book.
Wanted to reread and refresh before I go to Kyoto and meet geisha and maiko.
She seemed really full of herself - saying that she was a "beautiful child" and how wonderful a dancer she was etc. It was off-putting.
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Full of interesting details and insights about the world of geishas.
informative
lighthearted
slow-paced
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
I’m glad that I read Mineko’s version of her story first, instead of starting with Memoirs of a Geisha. What a woman! She tells her story so well, and includes all the details— both happy and painful— about being a Geisha. I knew very little about the world of geishas before reading this book, and I must admit that I thought they were more like courtesans than highly trained dancers. I’m not sure if I will even pick up Memoirs of a Geisha now that I have read Mineko’s account.
*4.5
I'm in love with the author's personality- well, what we got to see of it at least- and wish we got to see more of it in this autobiography. I'd say the book was 3/5s information about geisha lifestyle and traditions and 2/5s about her personal life, though the last quarter of a book really pulled me in, particularly when Iwasaki dives a lot deeper into her issues with the 'moribund' conservative leadership within the karyukai (where geisha work). Where the book may be lacking in poetic descriptions- perhaps due to translation- and information-load may feel too heavy at points (but maybe that's just me not being intellectual enough
I'm in love with the author's personality- well, what we got to see of it at least- and wish we got to see more of it in this autobiography. I'd say the book was 3/5s information about geisha lifestyle and traditions and 2/5s about her personal life, though the last quarter of a book really pulled me in, particularly when Iwasaki dives a lot deeper into her issues with the 'moribund' conservative leadership within the karyukai (where geisha work). Where the book may be lacking in poetic descriptions- perhaps due to translation- and information-load may feel too heavy at points (but maybe that's just me not being intellectual enough
informative
reflective
medium-paced
Best book on understanding geisha life. I’ve re-read this book so many times.
emotional
informative
slow-paced