Another book club read that we all loved. The story of the Geisha, which seems to be a non-fiction story is actually a fictional account written by a man. It's amazing to read as you learn the secrets of the life of a geisha and what is expected of her. An excellent read that garners a much deserved rating of 10. Please journal after you read and release to another. Thanks.

It's "part historical novel, part fairy tale, part Dickinsian romance...that immerses the reader into an exotic world."—USA Today

Starting a bookray, here's list of participants:

(SENT to glade1 on 6/10/05)

glade1 (NC) (RECEIVED 6/17/05) (SENT 6/28/05)
cowgirl-up (OH) (RECEIVED 7/07/05) (SENT 7/15/05)
KimKerry (AZ) (US shipping) (RECEIVED 8/01/05) (SENT 8/08/05)
firrantello (NC) (US shipping) (RECEIVED 8/10/05) (SENT 8/12/05)
silverstarry (CA) (US shipping) (RECEIVED 8/20/05) (SENT 9/09/05)
Maestra3 (TX) (International shipping) (RECEIVED 9/16/05) (SENT 9/26/05)
enlith (NC) (International shipping) (RECEIVED 10/18/05)
mdbookworm (MD) (International shipping)
sparklefaerie (Canada) (International shipping)
Heaven150 (Canada) (International shipping)
Navig8r (UK) (European shipping)
Chibia (Portugal) (European shipping)
whitehorsy (Belgium) (International shipping)
nzgoddess (New Zealand) (Within New Zealand)

Sending to glade1 today. Hope you enjoy!

Received in the mail yesterday. Have a couple ahead of it but I'm on vacation next week and hope to get LOTS of reading done...

Another wonderful book--I'm reading a lot of those this year, lucky me.

I was drawn into the story quickly and was less able to put it down the closer it got to the end. The language is beautiful and descriptive and I learned a lot about Japanese culture in that era, of course. If I have any criticism of this book it is that the ending somehow seemed too easy--does that make sense? Without giving anything away, I had expected that she would obtain her goal as she ultimately did but not have it drop in her lap like it did. Not sure what I expected...Anyway, I could almost believe Sayuri is a real person I could look up in New York. Mr. Golden is truly talented! I would highly recommend this one.

I have this packaged up and ready to mail to cowgirl-up tomorrow. I added enlith and Heaven150 to the list in the book but failed to include RoryG. Please add this when you get it, cowgirl!

Received in the mail yesterday as part of a bookray. Perfect timing considering I just finished the last book I was reading. I'll start it right away and pass it along. I've also added RoryG to the list inside the book.

What a wonderful novel! I was immediately drawn into the story and I couldn't put it down once I started. I loved the character development and beautiful imagery. Like glade1, I learned a lot about Japanese culture and have a new appreciation and understanding of the life of a geisha. The ending did seem a little abrupt, but it could be that I just wasn't ready for it to end. I'm so happy I participated in this bookray and I can't wait to pass it along. Next stop: KimKerry :-)

Received the book in the mail today. Can't wait to read it!

This was a book which kept me up reading way past my bedtime. There was so much about the novel I enjoyed -- the characters, the story itself, the flowing yet vivid writing style... Loved it!!

While visiting the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco last summer, I watched a 30-mnute documentary on modern day geishas. It was fascinating to compare the life of geisha then and now.

Thank you for starting this ring, TheLitGroup!

Sending on to firrantello on Monday, August 8. (Priority with delivery confirmation#: 03050830000015694954)

Arrived in the mail today. Kim, thanks so much for the other little "surprises" in with the book.
I read the introduction when it arrived and am highly intreigued. I'll definitely move this to the tip-top of the TBR.

I liked this book. I found it to be a good overall of the geisha world and found another few names to look up for more info in the acknowledgments at the back. I'm glad I finally got around to reading this.

RELEASE NOTES:

Making a post office run in a little while, I'll get this in the mail to silverstarry.

Just received this in the mail today - the postal gods were not kind to this package though! One end was completely ripped open, the other end was ripped halfway open, and most of my name and address were missing (written in marker on clear tape but almost completely smudged off). Thankfully the book didn't suffer much damage. I feel like I should send it to the spa for a relaxing weekend!

I can see why this was a best-seller! Once I had time to sit down and read it, the pages just flew. I have always been fascinated by courtesans - living in times where women were often marginalized, courtesans were able to use their sexuality and/or intelligence to their advantage. I had previously read about French and Chinese courtesans, but this was my first look at geisha. The training and traditions were fascinating processes to read about. The drama and rivalries were not surprising though - any time women are in close quarters and in competition with another, someone's claws will come out! I was both surprised and saddened to see both Sayuri/Chiyo and Pumpkin get drawn into the cattiness, but this book illustrates how people can choose to do the right thing or try to survive.

I am looking forward to seeing this movie - I can't wait to see the characters come to life on the big screen!

Thanks to TheLitGroup for sharing this book! I will be mailing it to Maestra3 next week.

Mailed to Maestra3 today!

DC# 0304 1070 0002 4159 5135

I had no pre-conceived idea about this book and was pleasantly suprised. I couldn't put it down. I'm not a book critic and don't have much to say about a book's literary merit. I usually rate a book by my inability to put it down. This one stayed in hand/purse/tote from the time I received it to the time I finished it (the next day). Sure hope the next person enjoys this as much as I did!

I should say that I received this book on a Friday and went out of town for a little anniversary trip that evening. Poor hubby took second place to this fascinating read!

Sorry to delay posting this to the next in line, but hurricane Rita sort of changed our plans this last week!

Received this the other day but the internet hasn't been working *grr*. It's at the top of the pile, should be done with it before too long!

I received the book a week or so ago, but took it to work to read, and didn't have the number until now. I'm about halfway through already, and my lunch break seems to end very quickly while I've been reading this book!