While researching to write this online book review, I found that it was probably his education in Japanese art and history or his stay in Japan which aroused Aruthur Golden's interest in the rich Japanese culture, and subsequently inspired him to pen down the ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’. ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ is a first person account of the life of Nitta Sayuri, whom Golden describes as one of the most renowned Geisha of Gion, Kyoto. Although, the book and the character of Sayuri itself are completely fictional, the story is based on the facts derived from Golden’s interview with Mineko Iwasaki, one of Gion’s top geisha in the 1960s and 1970s. The book traces the life of Chiyo Sakamoto (Sayuri’s name before she became a geisha), a young, intelligent girl with a vibrant personality and a keen insight who is sold into servitude along with her elder sister, Satsu, by her old and poor father, when her mother is about to die. Chiyo and Satsu are brought to Kyoto, where they are separated forever as Chiyo is taken in by a geisha house and Satsu is sent to a brothel. Thus begins Chiyo’s transformation into Sayuri, from a poor village girl to a sophisticated, elegant, talented and exquisitely beautiful geisha. Chiyo’s life is fraught with hindrances both before and after she becomes a geisha, but she manages to successfully put each of them behind her with her patience, determination, optimism and her undeterred faith in the power of love. During her life Sayuri encounters many different kinds of people – the kind and concerned Mr. Tanaka, whom Sayuri blames for her separation from her family, the beautiful geisha Hatsumomo, whose hatred for Sayuri is so intense that she will do anything in her power to destroy her and the wise Mameha, under whose tutelage Sayuri becomes a successful geisha. However, the most important person in Chiyo’s life is the ‘Chairman’, whom Sayuri has loved ever since she was a little girl. It is from this love that Sayuri derives her strength, a love so strong that the only reason Sayuri wants to become a geisha is to be closer to the Chairman. Through this book, Arthur Golden successfully manages the daunting task of bringing together fiction and history, and making it extremely believable. This he achieves by interspersing the fictional plot with bits of information about the Japanese culture and the life of a geisha. From the first chapter to the last, the book manages to completely engage the reader’s attention. It moves very quickly, from one plot to another, leaving no place for boredom and keeping the reader riveted. Even the historical bits have been very strategically placed, so as not to appear boring or distract the reader from the main story. Arthur Golden adopts a very descriptive style of writing, with meticulous descriptions of all the elements of the historical, geographical and cultural settings of the story. They are, however, far from being tedious or boring. One thing which I admire the most about this book is how the personality of each character, no matter how small, is so vividly brought out, it is almost like you are watching them in a motion picture. Chiyo/Sayuri’s intelligence and presence of mind is brought forth by Golden’s witty and metaphorical writing, and his use of ironies is reflective of the internal conflict that Sayuri faces at several instances. Also the way the book smoothly oscillates between flashback and real time can definitely be attributed to Golden’s unique style of writing, which is simple yet poetic, descriptive yet intriguing. Golden also manages to conjure a fine blend of a historical epic and a love saga. While you read the book, you are, at the same time, captivated by the magical lives the geisha lead and deeply touched by the subtle but profound portrayal of Sayuri’s eternal love for the Chairman. ‘Memoirs of a Geisha’ is a indeed a spectacular read, both gripping as well as beautiful, simple as well as artistic. Arthur Golden does a commendable job in making the world of a geisha, something so foreign, seem so real. A must read for both fiction and non-fiction readers.