Secrets of a Geisha
by John F. Baker -- Publishers Weekly, 5/21/2001
Mineko Iwasaki is a household name in Japan. She is one of the most celebrated geishas ever—and the source for much of Arthur Golden's bestselling Memoirs of a Geisha, though she is said not to be enthusiastic about what he did with her story. She is now telling it herself, with the assistance—and translation—of Rande Brown. Emily Bestler at Pocket Books enthusiastically preempted world rights (excluding Japan) for her memoir last week for a mid-six-figure offer. The sale was made by Jandy Nelson at Manus & Associates in California, who reminds us that since Mineko decided she wanted to tell her own story she has been the focus of a whirlwind of media attention. She made her debut at 14 at the Gion Kobu of Kyoto, the most exclusive geisha district in Japan, and, until she retired at the age of 29, about 20 years ago, was the most celebrated geisha in the country. No geisha in the 300-year history of the tradition has ever described it in detail, but now Mineko, feeling that Golden's picture still evokes stereotypes, plans to break that silence, says Nelson. The book is scheduled for fall next year.
