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difficultwomanreads 's review for:
Geisha: A Life
by Mineko Iwasaki
Mineko Iwasaki became known outside of Japan when she was referenced as a source for the bestselling "Memoirs of a Geisha", a fictionalized story which mirrored her life in many ways. The actual life of a geisha, however, was skewed and turned into a sordid tale of prostitution and enslavement. Iwasaki, one of the most successful geisha of the twentieth century, understandably took issue with this portrayal. Here, she tells her own story.
First off, Iwasaki is very candid about her own faults and the flaws in the geisha system--after all, she did end her lucrative career at twenty-nine. I never felt like she was lying or trying to make herself look like a better person than who she is. Admittedly, it's hard for me to fact-check as I do not know the geisha world intimately, but from what I've read, everything stacks up. Her tale is illuminating, honest, and interesting.
The only problem with the story is not its own fault. This is a translation, and while Rande Brown does a good job, I wish that I knew Japanese. Clearly, some of the more confusing details are lost, as is a certain personal edge. Overall, this doesn't dent the book in a big way, and it's a more than worthwhile read.
First off, Iwasaki is very candid about her own faults and the flaws in the geisha system--after all, she did end her lucrative career at twenty-nine. I never felt like she was lying or trying to make herself look like a better person than who she is. Admittedly, it's hard for me to fact-check as I do not know the geisha world intimately, but from what I've read, everything stacks up. Her tale is illuminating, honest, and interesting.
The only problem with the story is not its own fault. This is a translation, and while Rande Brown does a good job, I wish that I knew Japanese. Clearly, some of the more confusing details are lost, as is a certain personal edge. Overall, this doesn't dent the book in a big way, and it's a more than worthwhile read.