Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
by Elizabeth Gilbert
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Book Summary Information
Author: Elizabeth GilbertEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-01-30
ISBN: 0143038419
Number of pages: 352
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Product features:
- ISBN13: 9780143038412
- Condition: New
- Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!
Book Reviews of Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
Book Review: "Gluttony, Naval-Gazing, Fornicating"
Summary: 1 Stars
I had heard about this book from a number of sources, who raved about how fabulous it was, and how enlightening, and courageous. But I was also aware that the premise of the book was that it was one woman's memoir about her divorce and subsequent spiritual journey. ugh. not my cup of tea. But a very good friend recently told me that she too had heard good things about it... so I took the plunge.
What did I find? I finished it a few days ago, and the more I dwell on the book, the less satisfying it is. True, she is a good writer, and knows how to turn a phrase... but at what cost?
The book begins with her finding herself in a crippling depression, in spite of having what most of us would call a 'good life'. A good marriage, a successful career, an apartment in Manhatten, a house in the suburbs, good friends, etc. But she doesn't want any of it, she comes to realize. It's the story of her mid-life crisis. And because she is a woman and can write so poetically about her liberation from such a narrow and pedestrian life (as opposed to the more sleezy male derived 'red ferrari and a younger woman' version), we congratulate her. We say 'good for you! you deserve it! you are the master of your own destiny! take only the best! at whatever cost to those around you!' And indeed, she does.
She destroys her marriage and a bitter divorce ensues. Upon leaving her husband, she immediately takes up with a younger man. That ends badly, sending her spiralling into yet another depression (suprise, surprise... funny how emotionally abusing yourself and others will do that to a person), and then determines that the only thing to do is travel to first Italy, then India, then Indonesia on a quest of fulfillment and self-discovery. It is a tale perhaps more appropriately titled "Gluttony, Naval-gazing, Fornicating." I know, I know.. how puritan of me.
She has absolutely no notion of self-sacrifice, living for the other, dying to self. At least not that this book indicated. The message preached here is fulfill yourself, and indulge all your whims and desires and see what comes. It seems to have worked for her. I mean, look at her now! A hugely successful book-soon-to-be-movie (starring julia roberts! I'm not kidding you!), book tours, interviews with Oprah, a glamorous transcontinental life, a new sexy Brazilian husband. Obviously the universe is conspiring for her happiness. It's just lucky that she was brave enough to reach out and grab it. The rest of us who are not so brave will just never know, I guess.
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