Memoirs of A Geisha – Arthur Golden
Top 100 Book: Number 39
Star Rating:: *****
Quick Review:: I thought that this was an absolutely amazing book! Full of so much emotion and cultural references it drew me completely from page 1. Memoirs of a Geisha follows the story of young Chiyo-chan an orphaned young girl from a fishing village and her sister Satsu as they are thrust into the world of Geishas. The book follows young Chiyo-Chan as she grows into a young teenager, the struggles she faces in the Nitta okiya and her transformation into a beautiful Geisha.
Arthur Golden develops the characters beautifully and you build real connections to the characters in the book, in particular Chiyo . The narrative is descriptive and slow. Although the book covers most of her life it doesn’t feel rushed in any way and has a wonderful flow to it. I couldn’t put it down when I started it and managed to finish it in one sitting. Thoroughly recommended as a poignant insight into an art that is slipping away into history.
The Time Traveler’s Wife – Audrey Niffenegger
The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
Top 100 Book: Number 19
Star Rating:: ***
Quick Review:: Now a successful film the Time Traveler's wife is the story of Henry and Clare. Henry has a condition which means that he travels through time regularly and is unable to control it so he goes forward and backwards without any control! I likened it to Journeyman if anyone has seen it. This book tells the story of Clare and Henry in a diary style as they meet at various points through Henry's travels.
A wonderful concept which would have been more highly recommended if it had been around 200 pages less. It got a little repetitive and seemed to keep going over the same stories again and again. The beginning and the end were very well written, lose some of the mindless middle dribble and it would have been a much more enjoyable read.
Detailed Review:: *SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS*
Life of Pi – Yann Martel
Life Of Pi
Top 100 Book :: Number 51
Star Rating:: *****
Quick Review::
After the sinking of a cargo ship Pi Patel is left drifting on a lifeboat with a Bengal Tiger, Hyena, Orang-utan and a Zebra with a broken leg. This book follows Pi’s journey along the pacific, the highs the lows and the sickening times he endures.
Detailed Review:: *SLIGHT PLOT SPOILERS*