Too good to be true, the author has used description in such a way that anybody from any part of the world can get the feel of the Japanese culture and yet the does not feel as an outsider while reading the book.
The little girl ‘Chiyo’ and her innocence in the beginning, when she is being taken out of her village for the first time, she has big expectation of a good life, and soon to her realization, she is sold to a geisha house, as well separated from her sister. She has to take ill- treatment from Hutsumomo who is the sole bread winner for the geisha house. Hutsumomo is an interesting character who has her own insecurities, due to which she slowly become negative along with the story. As the story forwards ‘Chiyo’ matures and meets the ’Chairman’, for whom she takes up being a geisha as her career. This is the high point in the story, because till now ‘Chiyo’ was only thinking of getting out the place and running away, but now she accepts the challenge and lives with it. Then she grows beautifully as a reputed geisha with the help of ’Mameha’, who is motherly figure for her.
Along the journey as geisha she meets interesting characters like ’Nabu-san’, ’ Dr Crab’, ’Baron’, whose different personalities, educates you about human nature and relationships.
’Nabu-san’s’ character inspite being rigid and powerful softens when he is love with ‘Chiyo’. Who has now become ’Sayuri’ the rich and popular Geisha.
The Author has included parts of Japanese history, and politics which gives you the real feel of the atmosphere at that time. The war period is the second high point which does not allow you to leave the book, as you want to know what’s going happen of the little fisherman daughter ‘Chiyo’.
The end is quite simple and straight like any other love story, but I like the author’s grip on the story. It takes you on a trip to the place and the people. The descriptions of the kimonos have made me aware of not only the Japanese fabrics but also the style of their traditional dress which comes to my notice now if I see it anywhere.