Amazon.co.uk: Readers experience the entire life of a geisha, from her origins as an orphaned fishing-village girl in 1929 to her triumphant auction of her mizuage (virginity) for a record price as a teenager to her reminiscent old age as the distinguished mistress of the powerful patron of her dreams. We discover that a geisha is more analogous to a Western "trophy wife" than to a prostitute--and, as in Austen, flat-out prostitution and early death is a woman's alternative to the repressive, arcane system of courtship. In simple, elegant prose, Golden puts us right in the tearoom with the geisha; we are there as she gracefully fights for her life in a social situation where careers are made or destroyed by a witticism, a too-revealing (or not revealing enough) glimpse of flesh under the kimono, or a vicious rumour spread by a rival "as cruel as a spider."

Although occassionally inplausible, Memoires of a Geisha encouraged me to take a deeper look into Japanese culture. It certainly deserves reading - so much so that I bought this copy with the sole intent of sharing it!

Memoirs of a Geisha is finally ready to go!
When you have finished reading it, please contact the next person on the list for their address.
Please try to read the book in 3 weeks to keep the ring moving! If you don't think you will finish it in that time, please let both ME and the next person on the list know that you'll be late in sending, or send it directly on to them.

Happy reading!

* * *

Posting order as follows (New additions added to the bottom):

Tabbystripes (UK) - - http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/tabbystripes
Charlieboots76 (UK) - http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/Charlieboots76
Libahunt (Finland) - http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/Libahunt
PinkManager (Greece) - http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/PinkManager
Omly (USA) - http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/omly
Vunna (Bulgaria) - http://www.bookcrossing.com/mybookshelf/Vunna
Bookgal23
[Any others?]
MissyZ (UK)

Received as a book-ring controlled release from MissyZ. It was waiting for me when I got home from work yesterday and I've already read two chapters. First impressions are good! I don't think it'll be long before I've finished it and it'll be winging its way to Charlieboots76.

I've now finished this wonderful book which was so enjoyable to read that I found it VERY hard to put down at times! All the characters are so well written and I learnt a lot about Japanese culture in the early 20th century from this book. Also, it's certainly turned my ideas of what a geisha was, completely upside-down. I didn't realise how little I understood about them before-hand.
I'll be posting this off to Charlieboots76 tonight along with the pretty handmade bookmark made by MissyZ.

Thankyou so much Tabbystripes I recieved the book this morning. Good timing because I have just about finished reading my current book :) (thanks also for the bookmark, I will definately post it on!)


I'm just over halfway through now and have PM'ed Libahunt for her addy as this book is so great I think I will finish it over the weekend. I have been having some delays with pm's sent though so I hope she gets it soon.

Well I finished it this moring and what a wonderful book it is. You really get involved in the charachters life and really hope she gets her man in the end. Its a fascinating look into the world of the Geisha as well.

I will post the book today as I recieved Libahunts address very quickly!

- Just another note to say that this book looks and feels really nice! the front cover has a lovely silky feel to it.

Received last night. Yay!

Great book though I was very disappointed with the end. It was way too mushy for me. But I enjoyed the rest of the stuff.

I got the book today and I'm very happy 'cause the film comes to the cinema today and I wanna read the book before watching the film..I'll start reading it when I finish my current reading..

I'm just about to finish this one,but I'm going to need one more week..Sorry for going so slowly but as a student I had exams and as well I had some rings before this one..

I finished the book late last night.It was great!I loved Golden's style and the descriptions about japanese mentality,routine,etc.Now,I think that I know exactly how the things are going in Japan.The emotions,the feelings and the sentiments of Chiyo are excellently depicted..One of the best books I've ever read,that's for sure.I'll try to find a copy for myself..Many thanks to everyone who made it possible for me to read this and sorry for the delay..I'll PM Omly for her addy..

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed today to Omly..

I received the package with this book today in the mail. I noticed my SO nosing about to see what had come, so I will have to fend him off to read this in the mail and get it traveling on. I will probably not get much time to read it in the next week and a half though, due to the end of the spring semester.

The first thing I was struck by when I opened the package was the simple, beautiful bookmark enclosed. The colors of the bookmark compliment those on the cover so well. Now I am feeling all inspired to play with making my own, just as soon as I have some more breathing room from school.

I went to see this with a friend several months ago, which really got me interested in reading this story. Of course the book has more depth of character, and the movie leaves out/changes parts. I have to say though that the movie is not nearly as bad as most remakes of novels.

Mailed to VUNNA on 5/9/06

Got it! Thank you!

I loved it of course!
It's not exactly the average love story, is it?
For me this is the most BEAUTIFUL story for the year!

RELEASE NOTES:

Sent today.
Sorry for the delay, but I was on vacation deep in the mountains.

I picked this up at the post office today wondering who had sent me a package from Bulgaria. As soon as I opened it up, I remembered the bookring and this was a nice surprise.

I'm sorry, I didn't get around to reading this book. So, I've sent it home to Missy where it can be properly loved.

Around the world and back again!
Thanks everyone who took part - Memoirs is now safely home again and looking forward to a rest before heading out on its travels once more!

This came into our local Shelter charity shop but very tired and worn out. It has been sent off to be recycled.

Many thanks,

Shelter Charity Shop Bookman