"Nothing links person to person like the frequent passage from hand to hand of a good book."

(written May 18, 2010) I finished this book during the past few days, while travelling in Korea, China and Taiwan. I'll actually be in Japan tomorrow for 5 days! I feel like I got a much better picture of what a geisha's life was like, what sort of purpose they served. I liked the way the book ended, although there were plenty of times I wanted to punch Sayuri for being totally dense. Anyway, a good read! The book is going with me to Japan tomorrow, and then back to California on Monday, so I can move it forward next week on its bookray.

(written May 29, 2010)
It's too bad books don't collect frequent flyer miles. This one arrived at my home in San Diego, and then accompanied me on a business trip to Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea (again) and Japan. In fact, two nights after I finished reading the story, I was in a restaurant in Gion having dinner! How's that for weird coincidence? The neighborhood was beautiful -- I found myself looking into doorways (the wood and paper sliding door kind) looking for geishas. I did actually see a lady walking down the street all made up in the traditional kimono, hairstyle, white makeup and all.

Sent off to a fellow bookcrosser as a gift along with a hand-held Zen water garden. Enjoy!!

If you aren't familiar with Bookcrossing, take a few minutes to check out this very cool site. Bookcrossers LOVE books, and more than anything, they love to read books and then set them free for other people to find and enjoy. I would love it if you would leave a journal entry -- you can say where you found the book or how you liked it when you read it. Then, when you are ready, pass it along for someone else to enjoy! Thanks and happy reading!

Sent to me by judygreeneyes along with a zen water garden for the regifiting RABCK. I've seen the movie a few years ago, can't wait to see how the book is. Thanks judygreeneyes!

I made a huge mistake when I started reading this book in the middle of the week because I couldn't put it down even though I had things to do! It kept me intrigued the entire time I read it and I enjoyed learning about a culture that I know very little about. I felt badly for Nobu when I read it, he seemed like one of the few gentlemen in the book. I also felt badly for the women in the book, since they had so few options available to them. I had seen the movie awhile back but I didn't remember a lot of it so the ending was still suprising to me. What I do remember of the movie, it seemed pretty true to the book. If you are interested in learning about geisha culture or even the 1930's/1940's culture of Japan then I highly recommend this book. And even if you're just looking for a good story this is the one for you.