"Whatever our struggles and triumphs,
however we may suffer them,
all too soon they bleed into a wash,
just like watery ink on paper."
A very well worn copy of this book by Arthur Golden sits on my bookshelf. I have leafed through it a hundred times to read excerpts or certain sections that I love. Being a popular book, I am sure most people know of this story inspired by the Geisha of Gion. There have been critics who have said that it idealises the life of a geisha and portrays it in a far more positive light than the reality. So be it. Books for me ARE an escape from reality, a journey in to a new place where you bring characters to life. Arthur Golden has done just that. It's beautiful writing, almost a sorrowful melody. One can picture little Chiyo running to the 'tipsy little house' on the hill and Sayuri dancing her life story in the streets, Okiya and tea houses of Gion.
When you peep beyond the exterior of the story - girl is sold as a Geisha and how she struggles through this life - you find a beautiful narrative of hope, patience and a stoic resolve. And the whole book is studded with beautiful quotes. One I can most relate to is:
"Grief is a most peculiar thing; we're so hopeless in the face of it. It's like a window that will simply open of its own accord. The room grows cold, and we can do nothing but shiver. But it opens a little less each time, and a little less; and one day we wonder what has become of it."
And I like that it has a happy ending. It makes you retain your faith in life. It tells you that your struggles will bear fruit one day.
I'd recommend it any day!
2 comments:
Very eloquently penned SM. Yes art in any form: literature, photography, painting or music must portray all the flavours and essence of life and then some more. It is an escape route to exhale, absorb, exult and selfishly love one self because where else will you love your self but in your mind...as said by Rumi
“I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.”
So keep reading, searching, doing and loving :)
:) Glad you liked it. Planning to devote more time to writing this year. Wanted your opnion on a small work of fiction. Will discuss offline :)
You must write more often too... love to read your posts
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