Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden Summary
Overview of Memoirs of a Geisha
Step into a secretive geisha's world in Golden's controversial bestseller that sold 4 million copies and spent 58 weeks on the NYT list. Based on real geisha Mineko Iwasaki's confidential revelations, it sparked lawsuits, cultural debates, and a Hollywood adaptation. What truths lie beneath the white makeup?
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A Child of Water in a World of Silk
In a small fishing village clinging to Japan's rocky coast, nine-year-old Chiyo Sakamoto tends to her dying mother while helping her fisherman father mend nets. Her extraordinary "water-gray" eyes catch the attention of Mr. Tanaka, a wealthy fish merchant whose silk kimono and refined manner represent everything her life isn't. When he invites Chiyo and her plain, wooden-natured sister Satsu to visit his home in nearby Senzuru, the young girl weaves elaborate fantasies of adoption into his world of polished floors and porcelain teacups. The betrayal, when it comes, is absolute-Mr. Tanaka sells both sisters into servitude. While Satsu is condemned to a brothel, Chiyo finds herself transported to Kyoto's famous Gion district, a world of wooden teahouses and mysterious women in elaborate kimono. At the Nitta okiya (geisha house), Chiyo encounters her nemesis-the beautiful but venomous Hatsumomo, who marks her immediately as a rival. Under the calculating gaze of Mother, the okiya's business-minded proprietress, Chiyo begins life as a maid, her dreams of escape crushed by a failed attempt that leaves her with injured legs and the devastating news of her parents' deaths. The final threads connecting her to her former life arrive in a plain wooden box containing her family's mortuary tablets-all that remains of the coastal village where waves once lulled her to sleep.
The Butterfly Emerges
A Game of Silk and Shadows
When War Silences the Shamisen
The Heart's Hidden Current
Between Two Worlds
The Water Finds Its Way
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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