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Memoirs of A Geisha Audiobook

Memoirs of A Geisha Audiobook, by Arthur Golden Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Bernadette Dunne Publisher: Random House Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 12.00 hours at 1.5x Speed 9.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: July 2000 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780739300572

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

37

Longest Chapter Length:

39:38 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

04:55 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

29:12 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Arthur Golden: > View All...

Synopsis

Ever since its publication in 1997, American writer Arthur Golden's best-selling novel, "Memoirs of a Geisha" has captured the imagination of both men and women who want to know more about what has been and remains a deeply mysterious cultural tradition in Japan -- that of the Geisha.

As part of his research, Golden convinced retired geisha Mineka Iwasaki of Japan to talk to him openly about her former profession. Although since the book's publication, Iwasaki has brought lawsuit against the author and the publishers for what she calls defamation of character, Golden continues to call the book a novel and doesn't make claims about how true many of the incidents and traditions in the book actually are.

Nevertheless, the end result is a wonderfully detailed, intimate account of a young girl growing up in a somewhat impoverished family and being "sold into the geisha world" to an older male and entry into the profession, with all its secrets and cultural traditions.

Whether the geisha traditions are ones of secrecy or simple discretion, what draws in readers and listeners is that it takes them on a detailed odyssey of a young girl's passage from innocence into adulthood as she learns about womanhood and being an ideal companion to a member of the opposite sex. The male is usually much older, wiser and wealthy enough to be able to keep a geisha, especially one who is highly desirable, as the protagonist of this work clearly is.

Geishas are far more than sexual partners, although one aspect of the geisha tradition involves the "mizuage," a type of coming-of-age ceremony in which the apprentice geisha's virginity is auctioned off to the most deserving, often highest-paying, male. Geishas are more aptly akin to skilled hostesses, proficient in music, dance, conversation, games and ways of entertaining. They accompany their rich and powerful companions to exclusive restaurants and tea houses, and often develop long-term relationships with those who value their accomplishments.

"Memoirs of a Geisha" is told from the first-person point of view of a young girl named Sayuri. This perspective adds to the verisimilitude of the work, making the book come to life for the listener.

Arthur Golden was born in 1956 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Members of his family were owners of the New York Times, so he has extensive background in publishing. He received an art degree from Harvard with an emphasis in Japanese art. He went on to study Japanese history, earning an M.A. in Japanese history at Columbia University.

Golden's interest in Japanese culture and traditions led him to researching and writing on the Geisha tradition.

"Memoirs of a Geisha" spent two years on the New York Times Bestseller List and has sold over five million copies in English. The 2005 movie based on the novel won three Academy Awards.

"Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is a book that full of emotions. It makes you fell excitement, grieve, sympathy, very emotional and full of ups and downs. Truly fascinating book, it makes you wondering whether true love exists or if it is just a beautiful illusion. -Yulya Roesdy- "

— Yulya (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Astonishing…breathtaking…You are seduced completely.”

    — Washington Post Book World

Awards

  • A Barnes & Noble Discover Award selection
  • O Magazine Pick of Best Historical Fiction Novels
  • A PBS Great American Read selection
  • New York Times bestseller

Memoirs of A Geisha Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.325581395348837 out of 54.325581395348837 out of 54.325581395348837 out of 54.325581395348837 out of 54.325581395348837 out of 5 (4.33)
5 Stars: 25
4 Stars: 11
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 2
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 (5.00)
5 Stars: 2
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Excellant story. Read the book 3 times over the years. 1st time listened to. Love Audio because it frees up my hands to let me Sew as I listen. Seen movie twice. "

    — Senior Shirl., 2/25/2022
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Story Rating: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    — serjmaa bavuudorj, 10/21/2020
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It was such a lovely story. I had started reading it not knowing what to expect, and I devoured it all. I now know why everyone likes it so much. :) "

    — Jackie, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Watched the movie a couple of years earlier and it didn't make much of an impression on me. The book totally sucked me in from page one. Going to read Mineko Iwasaki's version before I can make my mind up about the authenticity of it's contents. "

    — Aarchana, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I Loved this book. Loved the whole story "

    — Nicole, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " very beautifully written - loved it "

    — Mireille, 2/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Do you know that feeling when you have just finished a book you adored but you just can't figure out how to express that on your review? Well that's exactly what happened to me . this book is just epic , i've read it twice , & i'm so going to re-read it again , ! "

    — Jihane, 2/9/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " it was a new perspective of the Japanese world. "

    — Alina, 2/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A exquisite and vivid memoir. "

    — Diane, 1/27/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was the very first english novel that I read, in the days where I was obsessed with the Japanese culture, Arthur Golden did a great job summing up and bringing to us the wonderful yet deadly world of the Geisha. great choice of words and a beautiful way to put words together. Magical "

    — Ronkohai, 1/25/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Amazing read I found. "

    — Kelly, 1/22/2014

About Arthur Golden

Arthur Golden was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and was educated at Harvard College, where he received a degree in art history, specializing in Japanese art. In 1980 he earned an MA in Japanese history from Columbia University, where he also learned Mandarin Chinese. Following a summer at Beijing University, he worked in Tokyo, and, after returning to the United States, earned an MA in English from Boston University. He resides in Brookline, Massachusetts, with his wife and children.

About Bernadette Dunne

Bernadette Dunne is the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones Awards and has twice been nominated for the prestigious Audie Award. She studied at the Royal National Theatre in London and the Studio Theater in Washington, DC, and has appeared at the Kennedy Center and off Broadway.