Memoirs of a Geisha

"What I did on Amami, I did because of my feelings for you, Chairman. Every step I have taken in my life since I was a child in Gion, I have taken in the hope of bringing myself closer to you."

"How strange, that the same woman who looked me so frankly in the eye as a girl, many years ago, can't bring herself to do it now."

I started reading this novel about more than three years ago. I tried very hard to like it enough to continue reading and eventually finish it but I failed. I have not yet gotten through the first chapter when I felt bored out of my wits. But then I persevered and got myself through chapter 11, and then I just cannot really push myself to go through another chapter anymore. It was not until this last few months that I have been watching some old movies that I stumbled upon the Memoirs of a Geisha movie again. The movie brought back my interest in reading the book and so I picked up the yellowing copy of mine and read it again starting from page 1.

I have first known Sayuri when I was in my senior year in college. Our professor let us watched the movie version of Memoirs of a Geisha as part of our lesson in Japanese business ethics. She then asked us to explain the line "What is sumo but a dance between giants, and what is business but a dance between companies?!" after watching the movie. It was then that I got interested with the original version of which the movie was based upon.

As what others were saying about this novel, it really is half truth and half fairytale. But nevertheless it is a lovely, at times sad, love story. Loving someone from afar is something I am very familiar with. And yet Chairman and Sayuri's love story still captured me with its sorrow, faith, and realness.

Following Sayuri's life can be exhausting, maddening, sorrowful, and of course encouraging. You will be given a glimpse inside geishas' lives, their world, and although the book was accused of maligning the dignity of how geishas really conduct their businesses in real life, I think this is very close to reality, nevertheless. But of course I am still very interested to read "Geisha: A Life" by Mineko Iwasaki, who is the main source of Golden's novel. She is also the one who cried foul of some scenes written by Golden. But nevertheless, Memoirs of a Geisha still will bring you to a world full of competition, friendship, betrayal, trust, business transactions, family relations, and in general, life itself. And of course amidst all of this, a beautiful, enchanting, and too good to be true love story bloomed from the hearts of two people who will do everything for the sake of the other. It was only know, after typing the last sentence that I realized that Memoirs of a Geisha really is all about sacrifice also.                                                                                                                                                                        
Sad, touching, tear-jerking scenes aside, I also enjoyed the humor sprinkled here and there by Golden. I find myself laughing my head off and yet not feel ridiculous about it afterwards. Golden really knew how to throw a punch line. I really liked the book, and it has promoted itself to being one of my favorite books of all time. Well, what can I say? I am a fan of too good to be true, fairytale-like love stories. And to prove that I really love Memoirs of a Geisha, here is a poem I made inspired by this book: Ode to Sayuri

Pride and Prejudice

"In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."

After reading a book that was based on another craft, it seems only to be natural to read the one where the other was based upon. Well, Bridget Jones's Diary was based on the classic Pride and Prejudice. In fact, Bridget Jones's Diary was considered to be the modern Pride and Prejudice. So, as I was still at the Bridget Jones swooning zone, I have decided to read Pride and Prejudice next. And yes, I have not read it before this and I confess that I am not much in classics.

I must admit that I really have a hard time reading classics. I think it really is to me that I read only contemporaries, but nevertheless I still enjoy reading classics here and there as long as it is not written in prose style and were already been translated in modern english. Otherwise I end up understanding only half of the story and leave the rest to my comprehension skills.

I cannot help but recall some scenes from Bridget Jones's diaries while going through Pride and Prejudice. As long as the coldness of Mr. Darcy is concerned, Mark Darcy is a close counterpart; but of course Mark Darcy is more charming than him. As long as I am concerned, I enjoyed reading Pride and Prejudice. Although sometimes I am confused of what really is the emotion certain characters are invoking, I think it was okay. I do not find it super romantic though, I think it lacks some oomph. But what do I know? I mean, it was set back when horse drawn carriages are the most decent thing you can come across as way of transportation.

Bridget Jones's Diary

"She just kept inviting me to things: dinner parties, children's parties with barnyard animals, holidays-... Every time", he whispered urgently, "every time I hoped you'd be there..."

The first time I met Bridget Jones was through the movie. I have watched it through cable TV when I was younger and at that time I did not even realize that it has a book version nor did I know where the story came from. And from that first time that I saw the movie, I loved it already. It was only when I saw the movie again a few months ago that I became curious if it has a book version. I also realized that the movie I saw has a part two. So after watching the part two, I began to browse bookstores to look for the book version even though I thought that coming across one is difficult. Then lo and behold, the book presented itself to me while I'm browsing books at Powerbooks. What's more is that I got the omnibus version: two books in one! I was so excited to read it and at the same time scared that it might disappoint me since I love the movie. Imagine my delight when the book proved to be a better read. But I'm not forsaking the movie, because I love it just the same.

There are just many scenes in the books that I would love to be included in the movie, like, how Mark Darcy tend to wipe something from his eyes after dropping off Bridget Jones in her apartment, though it borders on being corny but I still kind of like it. Then there's the scene where Mark Darcy dropped in at the cafe where Bridget Jones usually takes her breakfast before going to work. And of course, my favorite of all is the scene where you can find the quote written above. I swear I melted right then and there. It was the one quote that touched me the most. And beyond the words, I can just feel the truthfulness in it, and Mark Darcy's love for Bridget Jones. It also served as the "seal" among all the things that Mark has been doing since they split. It is also because of these words that I realized that Mark really loved Bridget in a way every woman wished to be loved.

Keeping in mind the Brits' nature of detachment from emotions, I have now proved to myself that culture is no match for real love. Love really conquers all... well, for this one at least.