Books set in China/Japan?

[Fantasy Moon]

i've heard that memoirs of a geisha is very good, although i've never read it myself.

I admit that it is a well written book with lots of details and beautiful imagery, but I honestly dislike the story. Odd considering how I truly like geisha things.

 

[Kookamoor]

Bear in mind that 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is fictional. There are many other books that came out on the heels of this that are autobiographical. I haven't read either of these, but here's two I've heard about:

Geisha by Liza Crihfield Dalby is supposed to be excellent and is on my TBR

In the mid-1970s, an American graduate student in anthropology joined the ranks of white-powdered geisha in Kyoto, Japan. Liza Dalby took the name Ichigiku and apprenticed in the famed Pontocho district, trailing behind "older sisters" bemused by this long-legged Westerner intent on learning their arts and customs. In Geisha, this observant ethnographer paints an intoxicating picture of the "flower and willow world" to which she gained entry. "Why are you studying geisha?" asks one slightly belligerent older sister. "Geisha are no different from anybody else." Not quite, says Dalby dryly, pointing out that geisha and wives play utterly divergent, though complementary, roles in traditional Japanese society. "Geisha are supposed to be sexy where wives are sober, artistic where wives are humdrum, and witty where wives are serious." While hardly feminists, they reap freedoms unknown to other women. Dalby illustrates broader cultural differences, too, with a million tiny details about boisterous customers, how many hundred-weight of tabi (split-toed socks) geishas go through, what defines iki (chic), why maiko (young apprentices) are drawn to the life, and what geisha wear, from the skin out. Acknowledging that her growing personal stake in the masquerade prevented objectivity, Dalby frees the reader to enjoy a fluid and fascinating look at one aspect of Japanese culture. --Francesca Coltrera

Geisha: A Life by Mineko Iwasaki is supposed to be not as well written, but is an autobiographical (or possibly ghost written - I'm not sure) account of one of the most famous modern geishas. Iwasaki was one of the primary sources for Arthur Golden's 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. I think it's worth a look if you're interested, but based solely on the reviews I've read, I'd borrow rather than buy.

 

[Kookamoor]

In a more fictional adventure/fantasy vein, I just finished Across the Nightingale Floor: Tales of the Otori: Book 1 by Lian Hearn. This is loosely set in feudal Japan:

Hearn sets his tale in an imaginary realm that is and isn't feudal Japan. This device serves the author well as he is able to play with familiar archetypes--samurai, Shogun, and ninja--without falling prey to the pitfalls of history. The novel fills a unique niche that is at once period piece and fantasy novel. Hearn unfolds the tale of Takeo and the conflicting forces around him in a deliberate manner that leads to a satisfying conclusion and sets the stage for the rest of the series. --Jeremy Pugh

This book can be read on its own or in conjunction with the rest of the series. I've read elsewhere that this is aimed at young adults, and I beg to differ. Certainly it's not written as a literary work, but it's a rollicking good ride for anyone!

 

[Ronny]

I really liked China Dawn by Robert L. Duncan

A poor Japanese girl overcomes great obstacles to achieve success. Sold into prostitution in 1931 to pay her father's debts, Yuki Nakamura escapes and ends up as a translator in the American consulate in Shanghai. Two men play prominent roles in her life: American diplomat Sam Cummings jeopardizes his career by acknowledging paternity of Yuki's daughter, Dawn; Japanese Colonel Ito sets her up in business and later takes her along to Manchuria. After World War II, Yuki and Dawn become successful Tokyo fashion designers. Adventure and intrigue make this novel enjoyable.

 

[Fantasy Moon]

Bear in mind that 'Memoirs of a Geisha' is fictional. There are many other books that came out on the heels of this that are autobiographical. I haven't read either of these, but here's two I've heard about:

Geisha by Liza Crihfield Dalby is supposed to be excellent and is on my TBR



Geisha: A Life by Mineko Iwasaki is supposed to be not as well written, but is an autobiographical (or possibly ghost written - I'm not sure) account of one of the most famous modern geishas. Iwasaki was one of the primary sources for Arthur Golden's 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. I think it's worth a look if you're interested, but based solely on the reviews I've read, I'd borrow rather than buy.

I was surprised to find Memoirs in the fiction section after I first heard about it. Everyone was telling me what a wonderful book it was yet after reading it, I was disappointed. My best friend loves it though. I'm just waiting for the day when she wants to debate me about it!

I read a bit of A Life when I was doing research on the geisha for my term paper in a Japanese history class. It's something I need to return to soon.

Across the Nightingale Floor sounds interesting so I'll have to look into it.

 

[angerball]

Out by Natsuo Kirino set in Japan, in modern time. It's a brilliant read - very very dark, and very gory in some places (at one point I had to put the book down). I really can't recommend it highly enough; one of the best books I've read.

From Booklist
A suburban Tokyo woman fed up with her loutish husband kills him in a fit of anger, then confesses her crime to a coworker on the night shift at the boxed-lunch factory. The coworker enlists the help of two other women at the factory to dismember and dispose of the body. Readers beware--Kirino's first mystery to be published in English (it was a best-seller in Japan) involves no madcap female bonding. The tenuous friendship between the four women, all with problems of their own even before becoming accessories to murder, begins to unravel almost immediately. Money changes hands. The body parts are discovered. The police begin asking questions, and a very bad man falsely accused of the crime is determined to find out who really deserves the punishment. The gritty neighborhoods, factories, and warehouses of Tokyo provide a perfect backdrop for this bleak tale of women who are victims of circumstance and intent on self-preservation at all costs.

 

[lenny nero]

The 'Sano Ichiro' series by Laura Joh Rowland. These are basically detective novels set in Tokugawa era Japan. I think they're nine so far. Very good historical detail in these.

 

[Idril Silmaure]

I don't know about Accross the Nightingale Floor..I read it a while ago in a few hours and it was certainly an action-packed adventure with all the ingredients of a cracking good read, that's why I read it. But somehow it seemed a bit lacking, and I found myself being able to predict the next scene a bit too easily for my liking.

Memoirs of a Geisha is fictional, but isn't it based loosely on actual memoirs by a real geisha? Or is that just my memory tricking me??

 

[Breaca]

Memoirs of a Geisha is fictional, but isn't it based loosely on actual memoirs by a real geisha? Or is that just my memory tricking me??

A truly beautiful book, in my humble opinion. The back book cover says it's based on 'true confessions of one of Japan's most celebrated geisha'. Either way, I really enjoyed reading this one and look forward to seeing the movie. The story is a little painful at times as you begin to relate to the characters and reminds me how far the role of women (in all their glory) has changed over the centuries.

Another book which provides a peek into life in Japan from early in the 20th Century up to WW2 is 'The Ginger Tree' by Oswald Wynd. It's about a young scottish woman who goes to Peking to wed her fiance who's serving as an attache for the British military. She has an affair with a Japense count - her marriage breaks up and she is ostracized by her family. She has the Count's child but has him adopted and continues to live in Japan. The book is written in the form of letters to her friends and entries in her journal. I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book.

 

[Balmy Westwind]

Hi, I was wondering if anybody knew any good books that are about China, or Japan, preferably of the historical and/or adventure kind but I'm interested in any really.
I just finished reading 'The Palace of Heavenly Pleasure' (Adam Williams), which is about 1900 China, and the Boxer Rebellion, a perhaps little known time of Chinese history, at least to Westerners. Anyway I really enjoyed it and I'm interested in reading anything else along these lines, set in China or Japan!

Was also wondering if anyone else had read 'The Palce of Heavenly Pleasure'? And what they thought?

I have just finished reading Wild Swans by Jung Chang. You might like this if you are interested in China. It is an account of the lives of three generations of women living in China in the 20th Century. After reading it I would also like to find out a bit more about China. I think I will put 'The Palace of Heavenly Pleasure' on my TBR list.

Eva

 

[sirmyk]

A couple modern books:

Rising Sun, by Michael Crichton

number9dream, by David Mitchell

 

[abecedarian]

Years ago I read a great adventure novel called High Road to China by Jon Cleary. Peter Jenkins has a travelogue called Across China that's pretty good too. I assume you're wanting adult material, so I won't mention my two all-time favorite Chinese stories: The Story of Ping, and The Five Chinese Brothers

 

[muggle]

The late James Clavell is one of my favorite authors. I have read most of his books. Favorites are Shogun, Noble House, Tai-pan, and King Rat.

 

[ions]

The late James Clavell is one of my favorite authors. I have read most of his books. Favorites are Shogun, Noble House, Tai-pan, and King Rat.

See post #17 of this thread.

 

[lenny nero]

Mark Salzman's Iron and Silk is another good one. The true story of his travels as a english teacher/martial arts student in China in the 80's.

 

[Breaca]

Talking of all things oriental. Does anyone remember seeing the tv series 'The Watermargin'. I believe it was based in China. Not sure if it was based on a novel but it would be great to see it again - although it was many moons ago that I had the pleasure of following the series

 

[Champagne]

"The Teahouse Fire" by Ellis Avery. I found this book really fascinating. It's set in Japan during the second half of the 19th century, the time of the Meiji Restoration when Japan is just starting to communicate and trade with the West. A French/American orphan is taken in by a tea ceremony master and his family, and the novel traces her story against the setting of a rapidly changing culture.

 

[silverseason]

Many of the books recommended here would be on my list also, including Pearl Buck and the more recent White Swans and Memoir of a Geisha. Has anyone mentioned December 6 by Martin Cruz Smith. It is a thriller, a portrait of Japan just before the Pearl Harbor attack.

 

[angerball]

Talking of all things oriental. Does anyone remember seeing the tv series 'The Watermargin'. I believe it was based in China. Not sure if it was based on a novel but it would be great to see it again - although it was many moons ago that I had the pleasure of following the series

Oh wow, that brings back memories!! I watched that as a young kid, and can't really remember anything except that I enjoyed it. I haven't thought of that show in years! Have a look on Amazon - if this is the same show, they have the entire series on DVD.

 

[Proofreader]

I remember "The Water Margin" - great stuff!

If you can get them, Daniele Vare's books set in China in the 1920s are wonderful reading. Lafcadio Hearn wrote about Japan.