This is a book I know I'm going to return to again and again, it has become one of my favourites. Considering Golden is a white American man his achievemet of writing beautifully and realistically in the shoes of a Japanese woman is staggering. This is a romance with a difference as Sayuri is, of course, a geisha nothing is straight forward. At first my girly sensibilities didnt like this ending, not so much tinted with sadness as blotched with the fact she will always be just a mistress, after much thought I realised that this is the beauty of the novel, this is Sayuri's fairy tale ending, it was all she ever wanted and she got it. Any one who fails to adore Sayuri is dead inside she is sweet, wise, descriptive, suspicious, intelligent and nieve. The book is also incredibely easy to read, you will find yourself transported t o1930's Japan in no time no matter where you are. So, in short, please read this book, you may not know it yet but you need it in your life.

This book captivates you from the very first page to the last. Written in first person as Sayuri, you are taken by the hand into this mysterious and erotic world. Her fears, anxiety, excitement and sadness are written so beautifully, you forget she is ficticious. The book does have a darker side, but its not its main emphasis. You must remember this is fiction and typically not so many real life Geishas have such eventful careers. Golden did thoroughly research the topic and the era. Never the less, readers do gain a better understanding of the secretive and seductive world of Geishas. Outstanding writing.

I actually read this novel the year of its released, simply based on a love of all things Japanese. Back then, my younger self found this book a wonder to read as I was transported to a world of wonder and beauty. Golden writes with amazing compassion and reality and it would take a strong soul not to love the leading lady Chiyo/Sayuri.

As an older reader I can appreciate the darker side of Geisha life more. Through all that Sayuri suffers she manages to stay strong and you will her a happy ending and a life away from what was once glamorous but dark. Each character is well moulded and Golden did his homework in the ins and outs of a Geisha's house and life.

I would reccomend this book to anyone.