Loved it.... - Rated 
Unfortunately, I saw the film of this first before reading the book. I always think it's better to have read the book first so you can create the characters, settings, etc. with your own imagination instead of having the images from the film in your mind. So, whilst reading this I tried not to think about the film version or compare the two, and I would advise anyone in the same situation to do the same.
So, after putting off reading the book for a while because I didn't want to be influenced by the film, I got round to it and loved it!!! It's brilliantly written, so easy to follow and become practically involved in Chiyo's story.
I love that the fact that a man wrote this in the first person as it seems so personal and real.
Anyone who likes Japanese/Chinese literature, I recommend reading this as it's just wonderful! And anyone who hasn't read much of it...I recommend this as a starter. You'll be hooked after!
The opposite of a 'feel good' book - Rated 
While it was a good book and I enjoyed it, there was just too much pain and suffering in it. The poor wee soul had it rough and the book just brought me down.
I (think) it's meant to be a happy ending but overall it just left me very sad. Every page I turned I thought "hopefully THIS will be the break she deserves"....but sadly it was usually just more unfairness and sadness.
It's packed with cultural reference which is interesting and if even half of the practices are ture..........they were rough times indeed.
dont be put off - Rated
I am very interested in Japanese culture and language but I was put off reading this book because it was written by a male..and non japanese. I had a vague feeling it would be sleazy and superficial. Well I was wrong . It has a powerful storyline which is very believable. Hatsumonno is one of the most vile creatures in fiction. She is horrid and treats the heroine very badly. The book is filled with amazing detail and in the course of enjoying the compelling story one learns an awful lot about the geisha culture. Geisha are NOT prostitutes. Geisha is japanese for "artist" and they entertain by music, dance and good conversation. They do have a "patron" who pays for their needs and they are much like a mistress to him. They are not, however, open for casual sex. Trainee geisha, "meiko" reach an age when they sell their "mizuage" to the highest bidder after which they become full geisha. Mr Golden obviously spent years of research on this book and I think was assisted by Liza Darby who was the only american to have received training as a geisha.
For me a wonderful book.
Breathtaking! - Rated
I was blown away by this amazing story, beautifully written. I am full of wonder that it was written by a man. Well done Mr Golden! In my opinion, you are an artist.
Excellent - Rated
An EXCELLENT novel by Arthur Golden.
He writes in the first person throughout this book which makes it even more interesting saying he's a man writing as a woman.
You can see the amount of research he's done and it shows his love of Japanese history as well.
Right from the start he draws you into this novel, it moves at a fast pace and keeps you guessing with each turn of the page. He covers a 25yr period in the life of a Geisha, starting off from an early age with everything they have to go through before finally becoming one.
The novel tells you exactly how it was and how sadistic and cruel some of the characters are that are in this world of a Geisha.
It's a compelling novel, very enjoyable and interesting and worth every penny it's a novel I'll definitely read again. :-)
This novel is now a major film was excellent in every way.
Hand on heart I recommend the novel and film to everyone whole loves a good story and history. :-)
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