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Title: Overrated fodder
Review: It's impressive what Arthur Golden has done with this book. I wouldn't have believed that a middle-aged white man could actually write convincingly through an adolescent japanese girl's point of view. The intricate details of the geisha life described by Golden is impressive, along with his knowledge on the subject matter. However, it almost seems superfluous at times, almost to the point of pretentiousness. The story is simplistic with predictable plot turns. The heroine is a modern feminists' nightmare. I kept expecting to see the girl grow up to see herself, and the people around her, for who they really are. But then again, maybe that was Mr. Golden's point. Overall, I think the book is good for wasting time. It's akin to one of those feel-good summer blockbusters which leaves you with nothing but a few, somewhat memorable images and an overall feeling of dissatisfaction. If you're looking for substance, this isn't it. If you decide to read Memoirs, skip the last chapter.
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