Audio Books

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
By Arthur Golden
Read by Elaina Erika Davis
Random House Audiobooks
3 hours (abridged), $18
ISBN 0-679-46075-6
In this intriguing story, a young girl named Chio is sold into slavery to a geisha house in 1929. Lonely and homesick, she toils as a maid and is mistreated by the reigning geisha. But as time goes on, she grows into a beautiful woman, and under the new name Sayuri she becomes one of the most celebrated geishas of all time. Davis' shy, expressive voice, tinged with a Japanese accent, brings the young girl's thoughts, fears, and hopes to life. 'Memoirs Of A Geisha' is an unusual audio experience--the listener wishes it was longer because colorful and intriguing details are lost. For example, the summary on the back of the box says that Sayuri learns 'the rigorous arts of the geisha: dance and music; wearing kimono, elaborate makeup and hair; pouring sake to reveal just a touch of inner wrist.' But these details are missing from the tape. There is also an unresolved question about Sayuri's sister, who was sold to a squalid house of prostitution but escaped. No mention is made of her ultimate fate or if Sayuri and her sister ever reunite (without seeing the original novel, it's difficult to know if this is due to the writing or the abridging). Still, even abridged, this is a beautifully read audiobook.

(c) BPI Communications, 1997 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED