MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA // Book vs. Film // Story Review 🌺
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- Опубликовано: 16 июл 2024
- Hello everyone and welcome to another video 🥰
I was so excited when creating this one, because I was planning to do this sort of “book vs. film” video for quite a while now, and now it´s here. The story I am going to talk about is Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden.
From the brief introduction of a story, to differences between book and film and whether you should or shouldn´t read the book before watching the film.
Little SPOILER warning - although I am not spoiling the end of the story (in either book or film) I do mention quite a lot of events, situations and characters so that is something to be aware of but those would not affect the overall (and final) "surprises" in the film or book :)
I really hope you will enjoy it, let me know in the comments whether you have read or seen the book/film before 😊
Thank you for watching! 🥰
Timestamps:
0:00 - Introduction
1:05 - What is the story about?
4:27 - Book vs. Film
10:35 - Little more about the film
11:26 - Conclusion
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Music: Imperial China Cinematic by Shane Ivers - www.silvermansound.com
I was thinking about reading the book and now I definitely want to read the book because of you. I loved how you were excited and thrilled and happy when you were explaining the differences and it was never boring, such a thorough review as well. Bravo.
Hi Ashley, thank you very much for such a lovely comment!😊 The book is truly wonderful, I am very happy video encouraged you to read it. I hope you'll enjoy it 🥰 Have a nice day!
Great comparison! Love this sort of video!
Thank youuu 🥰
Oh wow! I love videos comparing a book to its adaptation. I just recorded one of those for the Lady Vanishes. I haven't read or watched Memoirs of a Geisha, so I really appreciate this video!
Thank you so much, I am happy you enjoy it. Oh, can´t wait to see your comparising video 😊
FELT SAME. Word to word.
Glad I am not the only one 😊
Becky, wow! Great summary! I loved this book. All of the rules of the Geisha was fascinating. I actually watched the film first, but it didn’t disrupt the beauty of the book. Lovely comparison! 😌
Thank you so much Shelly 😊
So lovely to meet you! It’s great to meet new booktubers! I’ve just started my channel so it’s so lovely to see new faces!! I really enjoyed this video, I can’t wait to see more from your channel! 💛
Thanks :)
FANTASTIC review of the book and film. I both read the book then saw the film later. The ending always bothered me. Loved hearing your thoughts!
Thank you so so much! 🥰🥰
Loved both the book and movie - I’m going to have to reread it now 📖
Yaaay, it´s truly amazing story 😊
Also, they missed the whole General danna part
The okiya catching on fire was borrowed from another part of a story where a okiya
did burn down. Since that part was not going to be in the movie, why not use it to
add some drama to Hatsumomo's meltdown?
I wonder if the appeal of this story was Chiyo never got all she wanted, she always got
half.
Those are good points :) Yeah I understand that very often movies combine different scenes but something I don´t think it´s necessary to overdramatize things 🤔 Thank you very much for watching 😊
Such a good book! It's one of my favorites, even if it is quite a bittersweet novel. While I did enjoy the film too, I agree that it was quite strange to cast Chinese actresses as Chiyo, Hatsumomo, and Mameha. Still, it's one of the few books to movies I enjoyed both almost the same. The visuals and costumes are so beautiful in the movie!
Thank you for watching 😊 I really enjoyed it too, although I don´t re-read books very often I can imagine picking up this one again at some point :)
Always refreshing to see a video along these lines. I have a series of them on my channel. I read Memoirs of a Geisha years ago and didn’t like it. I’ve never seen the film, but am curious to see what I’d think of a non-musical Rob Marshall picture. That man wouldn’t know how to frame a musical if his life literally depended on it, and yet, he keeps getting hired to direct them.
Ooo I make sure to check out your videos soon :) Oh really? I did enjoy both versions of the story. Haha well his musicals aren´t my favourite movies either but I really liked this one :)
Great review of both book & film and comparing the 2! I always cite this book in my top 10 books ever, however I read it over 20 years ago so I’m definitely due a reread! Also it was one of the first books I had ever read set in Japan. I really enjoyed the film, but from memory, they changed the ending? Am I right in saying that Arthur Golden sadly hasn’t written anything since? 😊📚
Thank you so much 🥰 hmm... I wouldn´t say they changed the endfing in film, they just didn´t show what happend to Sayuri later... and to be honest this is the only book I´ve read from the author so far, so I am not sure, but I will have a look at it 😊
£1! Such a good purchase! This comparison of the original and an adaptation is a great idea. You did an excellent job describing the plot, it sounds heartbreaking. Gosh a Chinese cast for this Japanese story would be controversial. Enjoyed this video a lot! 😊
Thank you so so much 😊 I know, I was so happy when I foud it 😄
I loved this book and movie back in the day when I saw it. It actually inspired me to travel to Kyoto and see the Geisha spring dance (Kyo Odori) which was amazing. I should rewatch the movie sometime 🌼
Thank you so much for watching 😊 Oh really did you? That sounds amazing! I´d love to see it at some point to but I have never travelled to Japan or anywhere near close. Hope you´ll enjoy the movie again😊
@@teacupthestoryteller you'll have to go one day post covid, Japan is my favourite place I've travelled, the food, the beauty of the countryside, the excellent public transport, and the kind people, all so amazing.
@@MishelleLexi sounds amazing 🥰
I loved this book so much, I agree with you that the film missed out so many characters and relationships. It meant that I didn’t enjoy the film, though I probably would have if I hadn’t read the book, if that makes sense?!?
yeah I totally get it. 😊I also wondered whether I´d like the film more had I seen it first 👀
OK, i am going to put it out there. I read both the book and watched the movie and this is what i think:
The book:
- It is the worst book l have ever read. Nothing happens. You would think the life of a Geisha, aka old-timey-stripper/escort would at least have some erotic scenes. But no. I feel like i have lost some brain cells reading a book like this.
- The writing style is set at a elementary school level. Even the Harry Potter series have more nuances in their writing that this idiotic book. There are no clever writing, no twists, no turns. Before this book, i read "the little prince" and even this 112 pages book written losely has more content than the 400 page "Memoir of a Geisha"
- No learning in the book: I don't care about Kimonos or what people wore in the early 20th century Japan, but this is the only thing that this book poorly teaches. What is the moral in the book? There are none. It is just a story about a girl that is working as a Geisha and wants to bang a 30-something older guy because he gave her some money one time. What should i get as life lessons in this book?
- A propos story: Apparently we are supposed to feel sad for her, but we know that she was already living in poverty. Her mom was going to die and her dad didn't care about her. Should we feel sad that she got a better life after she was sold?
- The lies: The book starts as if the author was translating an autobiography but at the end, the same idiot author says that he made everything up.
- The noise: This complete book could have been around 40-50 pages long. But no, the author fills in the gap by creating ridiculous comparison and description of events to the point that you might ask yourself whether the author takes you for not having a functioning brain.
- The end: It didn't make sense. (Spoilers) Her around 50 years old crush became her sugar daddy and everything else felt rushed and stupid.
- Background: After some research, you learn that the book stole people's life just to exist.
The movie:
- The worst i have seen in 2022. There are no concept of time, no concept of space. Everyone teleports here and there, but no physical strain or aging effect visible.
- Everything is so colourful and clean, while supposely representing sad events. This movie is an older version of the modern Mulan movie.
- Nothing is explained or explained properly. The author assumes the viewer has already read the movie. Example: In the beginnig, the attractive and healthy-looking mother of the main character is seen in bed. Is she sick, is she tired? Is she lazy? Nope. Nothing is said, rather that she died later.
- The movie's pace was horrible. It should have either started at the end, when she was a full blown Geisha, so the viewer knows what a Geisha is and does, then relived her past. It should have placed more emphasis on MONEY, because the whole movie is about MONEY. The main character was sold for money, she works all her life for money, everyone around her made decisions completely out of financial reasons. For example, it was said: "you should keep her, she has water in her personality. Someone with water can take out fire just in case your kimonos were to catch on fire", the actual value of Kimonos is not shown. The value of money is not known. What is 1 yen in those years equal to?
- In 2022, the movie can't be watched without Gringe. I mean the chairman was in this 40-50 with kids while he was trying to court her as a 12 years old.
- All in all, the movie is a piece of crap and noone should bother watching it.
An model example: The count of monte cristo - Alexander Dumas. This is how a proper book and movie are made. Even the side story here between Valentine Villefort and her Morrel lover is better than "A memoir of a Geisha".