Journal Entry 1 by jackshome from Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom on Saturday, July 26, 2003

This is a duplicate copy of a book I've read, bought specifcally to release or trade. I really enjoyed reading this, I found it hard to believe the author is a man, as he really delves into the female role of a Geisha and all that comes with it without judging and with great detail. A fantastic read, highly recommended. 

Journal Entry 2 by jackshome from Norwich, Norfolk United Kingdom on Saturday, August 02, 2003

sending to fyrrestar, enjoy! 

Journal Entry 3 by ffyrestarr from Warminster, Wiltshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, August 05, 2003

got the book today!! thanks a lot jackshome! looks interesting from all the reviews i've read, i'll get back to you when i've finished!! 

Journal Entry 4 by ffyrestarr from Warminster, Wiltshire United Kingdom on Sunday, September 07, 2003

wow! if even some of this happened to some japanese girl (and from all the research the author did, i say it probably did!) then i am amazed! i roughly knew what i geisha was (highly paid female escort) but i didn't realise how someone became one or how the life of them really was. keeping in mind that this book is only a pretend memoir, i'd say that some geisha may have a worse (or better) and certainly less eventful time of it.  

Journal Entry 5 by Starry-Starry from Llandrindod Wells, Wales United Kingdom on Saturday, September 20, 2003

Received this morning. Thanks ffyrestar for my surprise book. As I already have this one, I'll check with the Wish List Forum and get it moving on quickly.

Promised to Chrisp93 

Journal Entry 6 by Gooner from March, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Friday, September 26, 2003

This book arrived today. Thank you so much, Starry-Starry. Will put this very near the top of my TBR pile. I also expect my dear husband may be interested in this one.
One of us will comment in due course. We both much appreciate the chance to read it. 

Journal Entry 7 by Gooner from March, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 21, 2004

I didn't realise I was as ignorant of this Japanese tradition. There's masses to be discovered in this book.

The story is set mainly between the 1930s and the 1950s. I'd be interested to read a non-fiction book of how the art of, and requirement for, geisha has changed over that period. A lot of the conventions that had to be learned seemed very inflexible and anachronistic: I need to know how many of those customs still prevail.

Thanks, jackshome, for making this available. I enjoyed reading it.

With the kind agreement of jackshome, who allowed me carte blanche to do whatever with this one, it's going off as a bookring, as follows:

1. ReetPetite
2. anechka
3. ziggythecat
4. hey-miki
5. Mastulela
6. catrionamoore
7. aubriel
8. blaisezabini12
9. Vespa
10. jenatleisure
11. Normy
12. Herrgirl
13. marie-therese
14. Juliako
15. Gooner
 

Journal Entry 8 by AnonymousFinder on Thursday, January 29, 2004

I received this book in the post today. Thanks very much, Chrisp93. I like the page with the fans.

CAUGHT IN NOTTINGHAM  

Journal Entry 9 by ReetPetite from Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Thursday, January 29, 2004

Sorry about the earlier entry. I thought I was logged in. Thanks again. 

Journal Entry 10 by ReetPetite from Beeston, Nottinghamshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, February 18, 2004

I didn't know what to expect from this book, but I couldn't put it down. I suppose it could have been a sad story but it wasn't. The war was skipped over quite quickly. I suppose you could call it a love story. Very enjoyable and interesting. Thanks.
I'll be sending it to anechka soon. 

Journal Entry 11 by anechka from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 26, 2004

Absolutely fantastic. Couldnot put it down as the story is fascinating. It is my first meeting with Japanese culture and could not have been better. 

Journal Entry 12 by ziggythecat from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Thursday, May 27, 2004

Thanks Anechka it arrived safely this morning. (Glad it took a while to get here, Mt TBR is towerering ;o)) 

Journal Entry 13 by ziggythecat from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Monday, July 12, 2004

Loved this book lots. A great story which kept the pace up from start to finish.
I agree with the other journallers that it was fascinating to get an insight into the secrets and traditions of this culture. I feel I learnt a lot whilst thoroughly enjoying myself. 

Journal Entry 14 by hey-miki from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Monday, July 19, 2004

Received from ziggythecat last week. I've got a few books to get through before this one but I'm looking forward to reading it! 

Journal Entry 15 by hey-miki from London , Greater London United Kingdom on Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Wonderful! I loved the way the characters were painted. It felt quite fairy-tale-like at times, yet real and gritty.
The way her life was transformed beyond her control, and the otherness of the world she found herself in reminded me very much of “Spirited Away” (a Japanese animated film). 

Journal Entry 16 by Mastulela from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Thursday, October 21, 2004

Received today, thanks. It may take some time before I can read it because I have two ring books before this one to read, but I hope to have it out within a month :). 

Journal Entry 17 by Mastulela from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, November 02, 2004

A lovely book, a delicate love story and a great insight into a different culture. 

Journal Entry 18 by Mastulela from Nuneaton, Warwickshire United Kingdom on Friday, November 05, 2004

Postal release to Catrionamoore Nov.5 

Journal Entry 19 by catrionamoore from Ellistown, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, November 06, 2004

Received this morning thank you Mastulela. 

Journal Entry 20 by catrionamoore from Ellistown, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Thursday, November 11, 2004

A fantastic and captivating story. I spent most of my time reading the book in awe of the author's ability to take me to pre-war Japan and make it seem so real. I often wondered where exactly the fiction started and the fact ended, although I have been offered Geisha of Gion as a possible ring by Winterson.

I enjoyed this book much more than I expected too.

Sent to aubriel 12/11 

Journal Entry 21 by aubriel from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, November 13, 2004

Another arrival this morning. Looking foward to reading this, but do have a few other rings to get through first - though not quite a Mt TBR :-) 

Journal Entry 22 by aubriel from Sheffield, South Yorkshire United Kingdom on Saturday, November 27, 2004

I really enjoyed this book, it isn't the first I have read about Geisha, but it is obvious that it has been thorougly researched. It does leave me with mixed feelings about the story itself though. It feels more of a tool to portray what the notion of a Geisha is and a glimpse of lost culture (I know Geisha still exist, but they appear more of a museum piece to preserve a piece of the past) than a novel about Sayuri/Chiyo. I didn't feel compelled by her she just felt like a pawn in the story necessary, but almost unimportant, a literary device rather than a fully formed character. She just seemed to flit from one scenerio to another - necessary to educate the reader of a part of Geisha life, but as if she had been placed their deliberately by another's hand rather than as a natural flow to the story.

Maybe I just reacted to her passivity, obviously her lifestyle lacked control and was dictated by events outside her control, but the girl that dreamed of a certain life with the chairman never seemed to have the passion or resolve to ever actually be capable of such desires.

Having said that I would still recommend this book as a fassinating tale of a lifestyle and culture from another era 

Journal Entry 23 by blaisezabini12 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA on Thursday, April 28, 2005

I just picked up this book from the post office (of course I couldn't help myself and I started reading it on the way home:) - no accidents, though).
Thanks so much aubriel for sending the book to me (and also for the lovely postcard:) )

29 april 2005: I just wanted to share my enthusiasm with the others! The book is great and the descriptions are so vivid that even though I've never been to Japan immages come alive just by reading.

30 april 2005: Finished the book this morning (yesterday I spent all day reading like a maniac:)) - and although at first I was surprised to read the ending I was lucky that the book didn't turn into a "modern fairy tale" (I feared it might end with: "and they lived happily ever after":)).
The book is ready to leave the country - as soon as I get an address.

05.05.05 - this book was mailed today to the next reader on the list. Enjoy:) 

Journal Entry 24 by Vespa from Weymouth, Dorset United Kingdom on Friday, May 13, 2005

arrived this morning. Hope to start reading it this weekend 

Journal Entry 25 by Vespa from Weymouth, Dorset United Kingdom on Thursday, May 19, 2005

I really enjoyed this book. I knew very little about Geishas before reading this. I felt the ending was somewhat of an anti-climax, almost rushed through when earlier stages of her life were explored in such depth. I do feel that this is onne of those books I will read again, as I don't think i will forget Chiyo/Sayuri in a hurry.
Will be passing this on to the next reader in the morning. 

Journal Entry 26 by Jenatleisure from Chobham, Surrey United Kingdom on Tuesday, May 31, 2005

arrived in the post whilst I was on holiday.
I really am looking forward to reading it as I know nothing about the life of a geisha. 

Journal Entry 27 by Jenatleisure from Chobham, Surrey United Kingdom on Sunday, July 31, 2005

Memoirs of a Geisha is so realistic that as I read the opening translator's note I found myself checking to make sure it was, indeed, a novel rather than a work of non-fiction. It is beautifully written, the characters come alive and the plot keeps you glued to the pages.

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful book.

Will send on to Normy just as soon as I have the address 

Journal Entry 28 by Normy from Morecambe, Lancashire United Kingdom on Monday, August 08, 2005

Received this morning from Jenatleisure. I've a couple of other rings to read first. 

Journal Entry 29 by Normy from Morecambe, Lancashire United Kingdom on Thursday, September 01, 2005

What a wonderful book! An effortless read, yet so full of information. I enjoyed most of the story too, but agree with a previous comment that the end seemed rushed. I didn't find the scene with the Minister believable though, and the way it turned out seemed unlikely given the rest of the book (sorry if this sounds cryptic - trying not to spoil it for others who may read this afterwards!). I also didn't feel there was enough grounds given for Pumpkin's transformation - the motive, yes, but she seemed out of character.

I, too, find myself more interested in the tradition of geisha, and how it has changed since that time.

Thanks for sharing - I really enjoyed this.

Reserved until I get a forwarding address and/or name from Gooner.

LATEST: Oo oo! I went searching on the internet for info on geisha and found this link - Memoirs of a Geisha movie trailer (called 'Sayuri' in Japan):

http://www.immortalgeisha.com/ig/ 

Journal Entry 30 by Normy from Morecambe, Lancashire United Kingdom on Monday, February 20, 2006

Herrgirl has been added to the ring, so it's on its way to her today.

Seen ads for the film - looking forward to it!

I have also been given a copy of Autobiography of a Geisha by Sayo Masuda as a Bookcrossing Not-So-Secret-Father-Christmas pressie. If anyone wishes to read it let me know and I'll start a ring. 

Journal Entry 31 by herrgirl from Wantage, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, February 26, 2006

Thanks, normy, for sending this on, and for the teabags, and gooner for extending the ring. Meant to read this ages ago, and now I've seen the film so I hope that doesn't spoil it for me! 

Journal Entry 32 by herrgirl from Wantage, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Saturday, March 25, 2006

My worries about the film spoiling it for me were unfounded and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I knew next to nothing about geisha previously, but as I read I was fascinated by the culture and found it hard to put the book down. The superficial perfection of the geishas, their dancing, tea ceremonies and their beguilng of powerful men contrast sharply with the sometimes harsh life in the mother house, where they have no control over their own lives, and are commodities, there to make money for the older women.

I found it hard to believe that this was a novel, it seems to be so well-researched.

As I'm the last in the ring I will PM gooner to see if there are any more takers before it goes home. 

Journal Entry 33 by herrgirl from Wantage, Oxfordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 04, 2006

I PM'd gooner but haven't had a reply. As I have her address it's on its way home tomorrow. Thanks for letting me read it. 

Journal Entry 34 by Gooner from March, Cambridgeshire United Kingdom on Friday, April 07, 2006

Sorry, but I never received herrgirl's PM. Book arrived safely today - thanks herrgirl - and I might even dare to offer it up as a bookring yet again, as it is not yet falling apart at the seams, although read by 15 or 16 BCers.

Thanks, herrgirl. 

Journal Entry 35 by marie-therese from Kirkintilloch, Scotland United Kingdom on Friday, April 14, 2006

Recieved in the post - thanks to Gooner for extended the bookring :o) I'm reading another bookring book at the moment but this is next on my list. 

Journal Entry 36 by marie-therese from Kirkintilloch, Scotland United Kingdom on Monday, May 08, 2006

I absolutely loved this book, I really felt transported to Japan. I actually read the whole book thinking that it was a true story and was a bit disappointed when I realised it wasn't. It's the first book I've read in a while where I really didn't want to finish it as I was so hooked on the Sayura's character and story. Thanks so much for sending it to me Gooner, as soon as you send me you address I've send it back to you.