You’re allowed to read what you want. And if you really want to read this, go crazy. But might I perhaps offer a better option to read instead of this: Geisha, A Life by Mineko Iwasaki.

This is a memoir by the woman Arthur Golden interviewed for Memoirs of a Geisha.

“But why, Megan?” You ask. I’m so glad you asked.

1. Mineko Iwasaki did the interview under the condition that she remain anonymous, which Golden agreed to. However, Golden ended up including Iwasaki by name in the acknowledgments, whilst also making it clear who she was in relation to the book. This was actually taken to court due to the fact that it caused Iwasaki a lot of issues/conflict in multiple facets of her life (social, mental health, professional, etc.), but was eventually settled out of court.

2. Arthur Golden skewed the information he acquired through his interviews with Iwasaki to better fit hurtful Western stereotypes of geishas (equating geishas to prostitutes, among other things). Which just makes it so much worse. Iwasaki wanted to remain anonymous even with what she assumed would be an accurate depiction.

I wanted this information to be out there, on this forum, so people can make informed decisions on whether they read this one or not. And if they don’t, a better book to substitute it with/read instead.

Again, I’m not here to shame anyone who decides to read this. However, I believe knowing the context for media we consume is incredibly important either way.

(edited to fix typos & punctuation)