Day 1: The Best Book You Read Last Year
The "Memoirs Of A Geisha" published in 1997 by Author Arthur Golden, uses a fictional narrator to describe the life of young girl Chiyo; sold off to a tea house and her struggles through the World War 2 in Japan...
The "Memoirs Of A Geisha" published in 1997 by Author Arthur Golden, uses a fictional narrator to describe the life of young girl Chiyo; sold off to a tea house and her struggles through the World War 2 in Japan...
It also depicts beautifully and sometimes meticulously her growth as both a geisha and a person.
It brings an almost lost chapter and often a disturbing practice in Japanese culture.
What sets the book apart for me is the strong love that a young Chiyo(renamed Sayuri ) develops and nurtures for the kind man (referred to as Chairman) she meets at the temple. It is this need to be his concubine that makes Chiyo accept her reality and try to perfect her art and rise through the ranks.
A love story that never seems to pick till the ending which leaves us with a contented Sayuri at New York.
The Geisha system in my mind being similar to the archaic Devadasi system in India. Though the lofty ideals of being God's earthly consort, a Devdasi leads a life very similar to that of a Geisha.
Despite the controversies surrounding the book, its subject - exploitation of women for rich men's pleasures...it is the girl's struggles and her love story that moved me...
This is the first part of the 30 day book challenge created by Paulami at her blog Acotation Al Margen.
Added to Saturday Centus . Check different endings on
offer at Jenny Matlock's meme...
her blog off on my tangent.
13 comments:
This is precious! Your words, as usual, are put together so smoothly.
You will be amazed at the freedom that comes with being 40! Happy birthday!
Namaste..........cj
And 50...and 60...
;)
I always thought it was 30 until I got to 40. Then 50 shot up over the hill so darn fast I am now hoping it starts at 60.~Ames
Yes...coming upon your truth in your 40's and finding the courage to live it by 50!
wow.
what a thrill to see you in.
superb job.
Great and well written...all of your works are so artistic. Wonderful insights in so few words !
Well written! I like to think that we can start anew anytime we want!
Happy birthday. Your journey continues, there is no ending. It is not the end. Enjoy your special day.
Oh, this is very clever indeed! Very positive take on the prompt.
Yes, life just began anew for you. (Sorry I'm a little late.) HAPPY BIRTHDAY and new decade. We are blessed with all you offer to the blogosphere and world.
xoRobyn
Dear Rek,
Well-written Centus!
Happy Birthday! Happy new decade too! Don't worry about the time. There is always time to renew oneself long after 40. I am still in the process and am well over 40 now!
Thanks for remembering Sweden's day, which has only fairly recently become an official bank-holiday. It used to be called "Flag Day" and was all about the Swedish flag.
Sweden is a pretty old country, but lacked a national holiday for the longest time. With its long-standing neutrality, many Swedes don't understand how wonderful peace is, or what their neighbours, the Norwegians, celebrate on May 17th, because no foreign power has ever occupied Sweden. There is no need to celebrate not being oppressed anymore.
Thanks for visiting! It is always a pleasure!
Best wishes,
Anna
For the benefiy of other readers:
Miss O'Hara's Last Words" SC wk 57
awesome awesome awesome... am just waiting for more of it...
Each age has it's own blessings, if you are open to see them!
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Glad you made it this far...would love to hear your take on the words scribbled. A comment every now and then keeps the blues away. :D
Since, crazy Mr. Blogspot won't let me reply to the comments here (is upset with the water ladies ever since they refused to verify visitors)...will do the next best thing, drop in to your blog to say my Vanakkam/Namaste/Salaam/Hello.