Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden (1999, Paperback)

Golden's "Memoirs of a Geisha" is a rather exciting novel. The characters are well developed and the storyline is consistent and holds itself throughout the narration. This novel is, however, not an historical document. Golden met with the author of "Geisha, a Life" (also titled "Geisha of Gion" in the UK), Mineko Iwasaki, a real Kyoto geiko that provided him with details about the history and lifestyle of the traditional geisha. Nonetheless, it is reported that Golden manipulated and adapted her information to make his novel more appealing to American readers. If you're not looking for a realistic account of Japanese geishas, but simply want to have fun and read an appealing story, this novel would be an excellent choice.