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"Memoirs of a Geisha" Book & Film: The novel, "Memoirs of a Geisha", was written by Arthur Golden. Published in 1997 in the United States, it was a bestseller of the year. For a few years after reading it, Steven Spielberg worked on a film adaptation version of the book and was attached as the director. Being busy with other projects, Spielberg decided to drop the director title in early 2002. The project had a few other director candidates during 2002 and 2003 including Spike Jonze and Kimberley Peirce, and eventually settled with Rob Marshall (Chicago). Spielberg is now one of the producers of the film. Originally Spielberg casted Japanese born Rika Okamoto as Nitta Sayuri. On the "Memoirs of a Geisha" Book: Penguin Readers: Memoirs of a Geisha Read The Novel (First Chapter, English) Read The Novel (Simplified Chinese) Covers of the Book Published in Different Languages:
Controversy: There have been questions about the book's authenticity after legendary retired geisha Mineko Iwasaki, whose story formed the basis of Golden's research, condemned the novel for conflating geishas with prostitutes. She published her own memoir, "Geisha, A Life", to counter Golden's version. A book review says the following: ' "Geisha: A Life" is not compellingly written, nor as fascinating as the sexualized and fictional account "Memoirs of a Geisha." It is not as academically insightful and full of details as Liza Dalbys "Geisha." But it is honest and real. ' Geisha Links: Photo Journal: Geisha (BBC) Video: Geisha Story "Sakurako" (Brovision) Japanese Geisha (About) Geisha FAQ (Immortal Geisha) | |||||
