This sembreak, I’ve been reading Arthur Golden’s Memoirs of a Geisha. The writing is very simple, sometimes resembling a fairy tale. Sayuri is the Japanese Cinderella, Hatsumomo is like her evil stepsister and Mameha her fairy godmother. Other characters include the Chairman, Sayuri’s love interest and Nobu, a former soldier who might benefit from a Toronto plastic surgery because of his massive injuries from the war.
The book follows the story of Chiyo as she transforms to the beguiling geisha Sayuri. Behind the narrative is also a cultural history of Japan.
I recommend this novel for those who want to learn more about the Japanese culture without judgement or prejudice.