memoirs of a geisha, who loves it? Options

[purrfecto]

"memoirs of a geisha" is definitely a great read. i found myself going through the pages quickly, and was sad when it was over. the movie wasn't as great as i thought it would be, but i enjoy seeing movies based on books i've read.

so, what do you all think of the book?

[Jackaroe]

I thought that the movie didn't do enough justice to the book. I didn't like how towards the end, they inserted the American soldiers instead of sticking with what happened in the book. Oh well. I guess it's expected if it's going to be shown and made in the West.

I did notice that the book lacked emotion, but if you think about it, it totally fits Sayuri's/Chiyo's "liquid" personality. Her life just flows, like water, and there isn't really in her character (since she's the narrator) to be warmly passionate or to let fly a fiery temper. She is cool and composed, like water (well, water as in a stream. Water as in an ocean storm is waaaaay different. XD).

[HakunaMatata]

I did notice that the book lacked emotion, but if you think about it, it totally fits Sayuri's/Chiyo's "liquid" personality. Her life just flows, like water, and there isn't really in her character (since she's the narrator) to be warmly passionate or to let fly a fiery temper. She is cool and composed, like water (well, water as in a stream. Water as in an ocean storm is waaaaay different. XD).

It did lack emotion, but it also lacked cohesiveness. The book felt so detached, and I don't think her transition from high-class geisha to a poor woman in warring Japan was quite fulfilled. (If I'm getting this part wrong, correct me, it's been a looong time since I've read it.) It may be because I wasn't paying very close attention to the book by that part, but it felt awkward that she went quite that low.

And I disagree about her being "cool and composed", or like a stream. I actually imagined her personality a lot more like a very fast river going downhill; she really can't help where she's going. That annoyed me, that she never really took control of her life.

But I did like the book, the descriptions were positively lovely and the subject matter was something I've never heard of before. My friend disputes the authenticity of the book; saying that the author (geez, I can't even recall his name) made geishas seem like whores, but I think he did a really good job showing the differences between the two.