Memoirs of a Geisha

Contrary to (probably) popular Western belief, a geisha is an artisan, an entertainer--not a prostitute. Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha is the story of Sayuri, once known as Chiyo who, along with her sister, were sold as young girls. They were separated once they arrived in Kyoto, and Chiyo went to live and work as a maid in an okiya, with the understanding that she would one day train to become a geisha.

With the help of another geisha, Sayuri becomes one of the most well-known and sought after geisha in the Gion district--in spite of a rival geisha, the Great Depression, WWII and her own desire for the love of one man in particular.

Loaded with vivid descriptions of life in Japan--most especially the artistry of life as a geisha, this books includes a little bit of everything: a hero, a villain, love, lust, war, business and intrigue.

Although it was published in 1997, and very popular even then, I never felt compelled to read it--and I'm not sure I would have appreciated it had I read it before now. It's on the BBC list of 100 must-read books--and rightfully so. If sex is an art, this is a masterpiece that belongs in everyone's collection.