This was such an interesting memoir! I had just read Memoirs of a Geisha a few weeks ago and wanted to read for myself the differences between Mineko Iwasaki's life and what Arthur Golden took and fictionalized from interviews with her. I didn't have a problem with most of the ways Golden spun her interviews into fiction, however I do not like how he gave the main character blue-gray eyes or made Geisha's seem so submissive in order to westernize them. When we learn from Geisha, a Life that Mineko Iwasaki threatens men with knives and hits a man with a mallet that embarrasses her. While I don't love that Golden furthers the misconception of Geishas being prostitutes, I understand why he would include that in his book, as Geishas are so centered around their appearence. I enjoyed both these books, and think reading them close together makes reading both of them more interesting and enjoyable.