For Seller

By: Carol A Hill

What makes a literary work so memorable? Perhaps, it is a main
character so well crafted that their every move becomes the object of fascination. Arthur Golden introduces Sayuri a Geisha
whom did not begin life that way. She was born in a poor fishing
village and at the age of nine was sold to a Geisha house or
Oykia by the owner of a fishery where her father worked.

The novel explores life inside the Oykia as though the author put
on Kabuki makeup and played a female role. His insight into the
feminine mind is astounding. While at the same time, he has the
understanding of how the Geisha thinks and acts in order to
attract a wealthy patron a danna paying her expenses for a lifetime.

Traditionally, Japan has always been a country where the women
serve the men and a Geisha was the ideal art form during the
time before and somewhat after World War II. Trained to dance,
sing, play a musical instrument, pour sake or tea and generally
entertain the men at the different tea houses is how Sayuri earns
her living.

Swirls of color are splashed upon the Japanese landscape in the
silk kimonos and the platform shoes Sayuri wears and the
umbrellas she carries in order to protect her white makeup and
elaborate hairdos. Ceremony is also a part of Sayuri’s life
and as an apprentice she is taken under the wing of a beautiful
and accomplished Geisha named Mameha.

Sayuri has the luck of accomplishing everything she desires and
even ends up with the man of her dreams. To a westerner, the Eastern way of life is a bit exotic and maybe not to their liking. Although, the author has taken the time to throughly
research his subject and given careful attention to detail that
makes reading this novel worthwhile.

An avid reader, the author has always enjoyed reading historical
novels.