A) Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

The beautifully written story of a young Japanese girl sold to
slavery in
the Kyoto district of Japan unfolds to reveal the training and
hardships
involved in becoming a fully fledged Geisha.

The gentle language used by Golden to portray Sayuri's story is
contrasted
with the horrific events which shape the trainee Geisha's life. The
loss of
her family is an ever present backdrop to the seemingly glamorous life
of
the Geisha, and Sayuri's struggle to overcome her grief is never
realised.
We follow her growth from an innocent village girl who has her
virginity
bought from her, to an old woman who knows that the man she loves will
never
truly be hers.
Despite the often corrupt and immoral world of the Geisha, Golden
includes
colourful details about the intricacies of Geisha tradition, with
elaborate
kimono descriptions and extensive information about the venues where
the
Geisha entertain.

This moving story is both frustrating and saddening as we realise
that
Sayuri is trapped by a life that she didn't choose, and has no control
over
the direction of her future. However, Golden's writing manages to bring
a
sense of calm hope to the novel and it is with resignation that we
give
Sayuri up to her ultimately lonely Geisha lifestyle.