This was the first book my book club picked and it was so good that it has been difficult to find others that are as worthy of so much praise.The book follows the life of a gesiha in Kyoto from the time she is a young woman until she is elderly. Throughout Sayuri's life we see how she matures from a young and frightened child to a woman of wisdom and substance.This is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in Japanese culture. It is apparent that the author is an expert in this field and he teaches us without it being overbearing.Beuatifully elegant and mesmerizing!