"Memoirs of a Geisha" … between the book and the movie!

Memoirs of a Geisha; one of the best books I have ever read in my whole life, and I assure that I have read a lot of books. The author was like an artist painting picture after picture of magnificent characters and events, forming a story that not only gave an insight to a beautiful culture like Japan's, but also it was a documentation of history of an era that a whole country survived in unity and admirable dedication to patriotism.

From the first page of this novel, I got completely lost in the story and character of Chio or Sayuri at a later stage. Her childhood dreams and innocence were hijacked from her with cruelty, she was forced to grow up way too soon, and her intelligence and rare beauty were her only aids in many parts of her life.

Before I read this story; like most of the westerners or maybe the rest of the world; I thought that a geisha is a courtesan that sells her body by becoming every man's fascination and dream; I couldn't have been more wrong!

It turned out that a geisha's life is a lot harder than I imagined in my wildest dreams; she is not allowed to choose anything in her life; all the major choices and life altering decisions are made for her by the Okea (house that keeps her) and by her elder sister who is bonded to her for life. She is not allowed to love or dream of a future; if she was lucky enough, she would get a good man for a Danna (protector).

I have to admit that I had very high expectations about the movie, and probably like all novels that turned into Hollywood movies; there is a certain degree of disappointment involved. Despite that; I think that the movie was very successful in capturing the most important stages in this little girl's life, with some slight changes here and there, because if they wanted to capture every single detail; they might have come up with 3 series movies at least.

I am glad that I have read the book before watching the movie, because I know the real story and it adds to the fun to see it captured and real people performing the very same events that fascinated me while reading the novel.

I would recommend that you go watch the movie whether you read the novel or not, but if you have already started reading the novel or at least planning to; wait till you have read this wonderful story of culture, a country and a part of Japanese beauty; geisha.

On a side note; this is my post # 100, YAY!

I hope you enjoyed the ride as much as I did, and I assure that there is plenty where the first 100 came from so stay tuned.