Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
Book Review: Laugh-Whine-Obsess
Summary: 3 Stars
'Eat, Pray, Love...' was a book I liked and disliked at the same time. On the one hand, it was fresh, witty and fun, then on the other hand it would devolve into obsessive ruminations about Liz Gilbert's failed marriage, her attempt to find God and her sadness and perceived "misery". It was at once clever and boring, hot and cold, cathartic and self-indulgent.
The book begins with Liz Gilbert questioning her marriage. She ultimately leaves her husband, finds a boyfriend, gets rid of him too and thus starts the quest for God and the meaning of "her" life. She does this by eating her way through Italy, praying and meditating in India and hanging out and making whoopee in Bali. Initially I loved her insight and wit. I found myself actually laughing out loud at her intuitive commentary, but then I found myself getting bored (and frankly irritated) at her droning on and on about being so sad and devastated, and the pain she was in, and the heartache and sorrow and misery, ad nauseam. I was waiting for her to describe something truly miserable, heart-breaking or tragic that had happened in her life, but all I found was a woman who went through a couple of failed relationships and acts like she's the only one in the world who's been through it. I kept thinking, good grief, get over yourself girl! I mean, really, the majority of women who go through divorces (or worse) pick themselves up and move on without self-indulgent self-reflection for a week, nonetheless a whole year! Most of the women I know have no time for self-pity, and Liz Gilbert was "The Queen" of self-pity (at least in this book). It started out funny, witty and insightful in Italy, crescendoing to a full-bore whine in India, and ending back to her whiny and self-absorbed persona in Bali. She goes through life as a Drama Queen, and she seems to see every misstep or unpleasant experience as so devastating. I think a person who grew up in an intact, two-parent home, married once to a husband who loved and provided for her (and who has been able to promptly find replacements for him), in addition to always seeming to be able to get what she needs when she needs it, whether it's food, travel, love, or money, is not someone who needs to be writing a book about her perceived sorrow and misery. She needs to give many, many thanks, stop obsessing, and MOVE ON!
Book Review: Remarkable!
Summary: 5 Stars
I found this book to be a remarkable travelogue where the exploration is as much exterior travel to three different countries for food, spirituality and love.
After a bitter divorce, the author is plagued by despair and decides to journey to three countries over the course of a year. Each country represents an aspect of the author seeking expression.
In Italy, we find the expression of "the good life" with delightful foods, full-bodied wines and engaging conversation partners. I find this as the soul delighting in everyday pleasures to the fullest.
Then in India, the shift is to the austerity and transcendence of spirit as Gilbert journeys to an ashram.
The balance of spirit-soul is found in Bali with study under a medicine man and an exciting love affair.
This is a wonderful book at many levels. Another book that can be enjoyed for its spiritual journey of transformation at an ashram is "Nexus: A Neo Novel" by Deborah Morrison and Arvind Singh.
Book Review: Live life
Summary: 4 Stars
My first thought when a friend gave me her well-used copy was "Oh, no, not this." But when I picked it up I saw that it was not some self-help book, but rather a witty and really complex string of emotinons and observations, couched in the vehicle of a "travelogue." Really quite ingenious. For those who are turned off by the "self-discover" issues, two things to say: first, don't be, it is much more, and secondly, if you're that turned off, perhaps you should be doing some self-discovery yourself. Would also recommend the books "You can Heal Your Life" by Louise Hay and "Children of the self absorbed." And these ARE self-help books.Book Review: Take the journey!
Summary: 5 Stars
I feel as if I took the journey with Liz to not only the geographical places, but also on her spiritual journey as well. She describes every aspect of her journey with such beautiful detail you feel as if it is happening to you. Gilbert shares her search for pleasure, spirituality, and balance in a truly inspirational set of tales. She lays out an intimate and personal account of her journey toward growth and life fulfillment abroad.
Another book I recommend is "Understanding Train of Thought".
Book Review: Take the journey!
Summary: 5 Stars
I feel as if I took the journey with Liz to not only the geographical places, but also on her spiritual journey as well. She describes every aspect of her journey with such beautiful detail you feel as if it is happening to you. Gilbert shares her search for pleasure, spirituality, and balance in a truly inspirational set of tales. She lays out an intimate and personal account of her journey toward growth and life fulfillment abroad.
Another book I recommend is "Understanding Train of Thought".