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23.04.2006
Autobiography of a Geisha
This one's depressing. I read Autobiography of a Geisha at my roommate's insistance after I read Memoirs of a Geisha (Yes, I know it took a long time.) As opposed to Memoirs which is based on a retelling of the life of a geisha, Autobiography is the life of Sayo Masuda in her own words, translated by G. G. Rowley. She originally wrote a short version to enter in a contest because she needed the prize money. When contacted by a publisher, she wrote a longer version to help supplement her meger income.
The way that Masuda relates the story of her life is very simple, and matter of fact. Some of this stems from her small amount of education, and some from the simple look she has on life. Either way, her language is simple and plain; the text itself is short, at only 170 pages or so.
While Memoirs spends a lot of time talking about the details of everyday life, dress, and custom, Autobiography relates events and reactions in a much more narriative style. She frankly accounts her grinding poverty, physical abuse, and emotional hardship. It's incrediably moving and frank portrayal of an old and often mis-understood custom.
If you've read Memoirs, you should read this. If you haven't, you probably should read Memoirs first, just to get an understanding of the lifestyle, the details that help flesh out Masuda's story. It'll give you an incrediable case of middle-class guilt, but it's good to have that experience occasionally to keep things in perspective.
Posted by drlynn at 02:20 in "Reading List".