Book Information
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ISBN-13: 9780143038412 - ISBN-10: 0143038419 Publication Date: 2/2007 Pages: 352 |
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Book Reviews of Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia
194 Book Reviews submitted by our Members
sorted by voted most helpful
76 member(s) found this review helpful.
Didn't like it. Gilbert struck me throughout the book as someone who looks in the mirror, is completely enamoured with what she sees, and then writes 300+ blase pages about it. This book is literally all about herself - and I do understand that this is an autobiography - but she just goes on and on and on about how she's feeling or her weight problems or her love life and it does grow tiresome after about 100 pages. The fact that this book is a NY Times bestseller is what kept me reading, but I ultimately gave up. Lovely cover though.
Rebecca H. (
60 member(s) found this review helpful.
I didn't like it and gave up reading it halfway through India; I skimmed the rest of the book and was glad I didn't spend more time reading it. I don't easily stop reading books, I'll tough it out to the bitter end, but I couldn't with this book. I found the author to be entitled, whiney, and she didn't seem to be enlightened by any of the wonderful opportunities laid at her feet. She added every challenge to her collection of woe and misery as more proof her life is so difficult, and she has every right to be ungrateful and complain. A paid trip to Italy? "Oh, so horrible that I don't have a lover to share it with, because I LEFT HIM." A paid trip to India? "Oh, meditation makes me cranky." I just couldn't tolerate it and gave up.
Eat Pray Love? How about, "Traveled the world paid for by my publisher and had to write some drivel that seemed profound to justify the expense account, and then my publisher felt bad that they spent so much money for me to have no fun and marketed the hell out of this book to make back their money."
I don't get why this is a best-seller, other than the ferocious marketing.
54 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have to say that I did not even finish reading this book. I have been a voracious reader all my life and I can only think of 3 books that I have not finished in 37 years and this would be one of them. I got this book based on all the great reviews I saw, but found myself completely bored out of my skull with trying to read this.
39 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a very annoying book. It's all about a womans self indulgent journey to find happiness while she writes about it and gets paid to do it. Not a bad deal for her, but annoying to me.
33 member(s) found this review helpful.
"Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert is "one woman's search for everything across Italy, India, and Indonesia".
It came highly recommended to me. I love travel. I love reading about other people's experiences while traveling. I really enjoy reading about everywhere, places I've been and places I haven't been. But, I really dislike reading about someone who complains about their live. This is what I call the "poor me" syndrome. And let me tell you, this book's got that.
Gilbert's "poor me" went on for most of the book. It was so infiltrated that I almost couldn't finish it. But, I had to. Why? Because I really wanted to hear what it was like in Bali, not because I cared about any of the characters. Well, that's not true. There was an old man in Bali who I cared about.
If you're going to whine and complain about how bad your life is, don't make me read about it for over 300 pages. One or two would do.
The good part of the book? Hearing about Italy and Indonesia. But I still don't really recommend that you put yourself through it.
24 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved each part for the info she told about. I felt like I was with Gilbert on her travels. I loved the honesty and vulnerablility of Gilbert in writing of what she went through to get rid of all the emotional baggage. I loved the part about Pray best. Where she talks of trying to meditate and the "ego" won't let her go into a meditative state. Though Love was just as wonderful. I think this book has the capacity of changing your life if you take the info and apply it to your own life.
19 member(s) found this review helpful.
Introspective and beutifully written. The author made choices I do not understand but they seemed to enrich her own life experience.
Caryn S. (
15 member(s) found this review helpful.
What an enjoyable read. Let author Elizabeth Gilbert take you on a spiritual and pleasurable journey through Italy, India and Indonesia. This book should make you feel like more of a complete person.
14 member(s) found this review helpful.
Alternately reverent & irreverent tale of one woman's year abroad. I loved the parts about Italy (eat) and Indonesia (Bali to be more specific, love). Although I found the section about her stay at an Indian ashram less interesting, the descriptions of her fellow worshippers keeps it interesting.
11 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was fabulous! I can understand the woman's quest for happiness. I think approaching the dilemma with a journey, that took her through everything she required for happiness, was moving. After reading the book I hopped online and booked my next vacation.
10 member(s) found this review helpful.
I don't ever want to travel around the world with Gilbert again! I stumbled hopefully through Italy, struggled for months through India, and had my disappointment realized in Indonesia. A narcissitic tale of an uninteresting person on a boring trip. I'm staying home next time.
8 member(s) found this review helpful.
I can't get through this book. I keep hoping it will get better, I'm about half way through and I've moved on. I got the book b/c, on the rare (VERY RARE)times that I've tuned into Oprah, she was raving about this book - what a big disappointment. I'm sticking to the NY Times best seller list from now on.
8 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really liked this book. I liked the Pray and Love sections better than the Eat section. In fact , I almost didn't finish the book, as the eat section was so long. It was well worth reading. This is definitely, in my opinion, a single woman's book, however.
Laura R. (
7 member(s) found this review helpful.
I am sorry, but i do not get all the buzz around this book, my friends all talked about it, it was everywhere I looked, so I borrowed it from a friend... I could not understand the hype- I found the author self-centered, selfish and odd - to be honest I was only able to get through the first 50 pages, I was bored with this book, and thankfull that the chapters were so short, so it gave me a break to put the book down, which I did a lot. I could not get through it. I guess I am one who does not need an indian guru, that part just put me over the line of not wanting to continue to read this. no thank you.
6 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is one person's story of finding herself after a troubled divorce; for the first time in her life she is forced to find not only what she wants, but to go through it by herself. She realizes that she is intrigued by the Italian language and commits to learn it as she follows it to Italy; she follows spiritual leaders and learns that their teachings are not only for the locals, but for those that are willing to learn; and she finally learns to love herself and to see the world in a much different way. I love this book!
Denise S. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was my book club selection, and there must be something wrong with me because everybody else LOVED it. I hated it. In fact, I couldn't even force myself to finish it.
I found the dialogue dull, boring and flat. I thought the author was self-absorbed, self-indulgent, self-centered, selfish and a slut. Several reviewers referred to this book as "insightful"; my response to them is "huh"? I guess I missed that page.
This is just my opinion, I know I am in a minority.
Elizabeth R. (
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I liked the author's humorous writing style. I also related to many of her thoughts and feelings; perhaps because we are the same age. I enjoyed the Italy and Indonesian chapters, but did not enjoy the India chapter. The India chapter focused on spirituality, yoga, meditiation etc. but IMHO the other chapters were more universal because they discussed love, food, and friendship.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed this. I am looking forward to reading more from Gilbert. The way she explains herself made me feel as though I was on the journey with her.
4 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a wonderful book! Even if you haven't gone through exactly what Gilbert has, you can definitely relate to her feeling of uncertainty. Very hard to put down...a must read!
Nicci W. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
There were parts of the book that I thoroughly enjoyed. There were also parts that seemed so dragged on. At some points it seemed like the more I read the more pages I had left to read. It was ok but I could have lived without reading it.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This just came across like a total whine-fest to me. Every other page, she's bursting out into tears, curling up into a ball, etc etc. Is she critically ill? Did she lose a loved one? Is she 300lbs overweight? No, she's a 30-something statuesque blonde and she just got PAID to take a year off to travel to India, Italy and Bali (was it Bali? I can't remember--insert island paradise here--)after SHE decides to dump her husband. Poor thing, huh? Along the way she somehow charms all manner of persons to come to her rescue, as the reader struggles to get to the end. Oh, and the end.... just wait and see what her "epiphany" is....geez...
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was really disappointed with this book. It is a best seller and has been suggested for book clubs everywhere, but the whole novel was stale and boring. The author seemed to complain constantly about how dissatisfied she was with her life while she was being PAID to travel for a year and to learn more about herself. I resented this message. Very few people can actually afford to travel for a year, and for her to have a downtrodden attitude about the situation it seemed inappropriate. I would NOT suggest this book- do not waste your time.
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed this book. I felt as tho I was on the trip with her, I have wanted to go to Italy for years, and I enjoyed the conversations she had with her friend from Texas. My favorite chapter #48 and the advice he gives her. It applied to me too...
Carla G. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I hated the first part--I thought that Elizabeth Gilbert was way too self-absorbed, too immature for my liking, too trite and wrote too much "fluff." It was difficult for me to keep going. I would not have continued reading except for my reading group. But once I got into the part about her experiences in India. I got the point--it was to show her transformation!
I ended up loving this book. No, it is not one of the best books I've ever read, but as a personal memoir by an "ordinary" person, I think it's pretty good. I loved her description of her act of altruism and what became of it.
Paige
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is about an early thirties woman, trying to find herself and her spirituality while traveling to Italy, India and Bali. I absolutely loved this book (I am also in my early thirties and lived vicariously though her travels to two places on my list of I wanna go there's). She's kind of a trip, often shocking, spicy, funny and continually candid. I fell in love with the cover of the book the first time I saw it, new I had to read it, got it and could barely put the thing down. Like a good glass of wine for the early thirties womans soul, this book, so so good! (And she'll have your mouth watering for some real Italian pizza!)
Allison D. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert is an unreadable exercise in self-pity and whining. Granted, it should probably have expected considering the general premise of the book, but Gilbert spent more time talking about her various neuroses than actually discussing her self-exploration. In addition, the occasional sympathy aroused during her various and numerous crying outbursts was lost every time she made an unnecessary political snipe. Is it necessary to reference her knowing how depressed she was because she couldn't even cry when the Democrats lost the 2004 Presidential election or explain that our country went to war just for fun? How is that relevant to journey for inner peace?
In the end, everyone's life has difficulties, and it is not clear why Gilbert's rollercoaster ride is any different from anyone else's ride. It doesn't offer insight for someone going through similar experiences, and more than anything, she just appears eccentric and neurotic. After the first 1/3 of the book, I lost my patience and stopped reading, so maybe my complaints don't apply to the whole book. However, since the process of getting to and the description of living a life of “eating” in Italy was less than enlightening, I just couldn't suffer through the rest of the book.
Bonnie S. (
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have read some of the meanest reviews about Eat, Pray, Love. Just mean. Some focus on how could she possibly go to India and not be affected by the poverty, and not even mention it in her drivel?
Well, dang, I didn't want to read about poverty in India. I wanted to read about what it was like in an Ashram for someone. And that is what she wrote. She was criticized for eating so much in Italy. She was criticized for finding a new love in Indonesia. She was blasted for leaving her husband, after all, just why did she leave the poor fellow. I guess it wasn't enough that she said right in the intro that she was not going to humiliate him by giving us intimate details. And so what if she was miserable and the causes did not appear to be enough for some people. Every one has their own misery levels and goals.
But I just loved this book. Some stuff in the beginning reminded me, sadly, of me in another life.
Yes, I wish I could have gone to Italy and had my trip paid for by my publisher who was going to publish the book I would write...but that isn't what happened. Yes, I am envious. They paid for all of the trips. But that does not mean it is a bad book. I love her writing style, her sense of humor. Her honesty. Not easy, I imagine, to talk about masturbation in a personal memoir!
And, I really wanted her to end up with the guy she ends up with after all. Reviewers hated that she did. Bah on them.
This is a fun book!
3 member(s) found this review helpful.
WHAT A WHINER! I was SO disappointed in this book. A sucessful author with a life TONS of people would envy, and she decides to go half way around the world to "Find Herself." Doing so, she surrounds herself with people who have real problems in some of the poorest countries in the world, and still thinks she's got it bad. Geez, I couldn't finish it fast enough to get away from her. That's several hours of my life I'll never get back!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book took me awhile to finish. I did get a little bored a little after the middle of the book. When I got interested in reading again I got right into it. What a great adventure! To me, Gilbert is brave. For a woman to travel without any set plans is very brave in my opinion. I would never have the guts to do what she did. Good thing she can write so well so I was able to experience her adventures, lessons and love through her. The people she met were beautiful and she makes you fall in love with all of them. Even the ones that should be slapped for their behavior. By the time you finish, you end up loving her as well. Totally recommend, just push through that one lull and you will get interested again.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I rarely quit on a book before finishing it. Hate to say, this is one of the ones I gave up on. I tried and tried, but just couldn't see the sense in wasting valuable book reading time on something that I did not enjoy. In reading other's reviews, it seems you either love it or hate it. Unfortunately, I fell into the latter group. I did enjoy some of the location descriptions, but other than that a waste of my time.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is very interesting. I loved the sections on Italy and Bali. The section on India was less interesting to me, but still worth reading.
Very honest account of a women's journey of self-discovery.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Very nicely written with fun and wit. I liked the book because it took me to three different places of the world and gave me an opportunity to taste different cultures and ways of life. Happy I read it!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have now tried, unsuccessfully, to read this book twice. I could not relate to Gilbert's "journey". It was impossible to have any sympathy for a woman who could bank roll a year abroad to find herself. The strongest women I know, inspire me as they manage to find themselves after more adversity while juggling, kids, work, family, soccer, bills, etc. The prose was not well written, beautiful or interesting. I am reposting this book without ever getting past the middle of it. I would not recommend wasting your time.
Jeanette R. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
THIS BOOK WAS SOOOOOOOOOOOO BORING! it took me forever to read it. the author is such a selfish lazy wench and i am so bitter that i spent money on this piece of crap! the one f.a. who told me the author sounded totally immature and ridiculous and too politically correct was right! she had a boring life and she was just trying to sell as many books as she can. the author also has no flow to her writing. basically shes this immature biatch whos a spoiled rotten brat and decides, oh, i dont want to be married anymore cuz im bored. so she up and leaves her husband (what the?) and decides to travel. she acts and writes like a teenager- grow up! she travels around and talks about men like shes 15 and finally sleeps around and it makes me want to barf. the entire time acting so high and mighty. ugh. no thanks oprah!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Not at all impressed with this book. I'm just happy I bought it for 90% off at a book store closing! I'm not even going to try to finish it.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I thought the book would transport me to all the places the author visited. Instead, she spent a lot of time complaining about her marriage.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I felt both immense pleasure and painfully anguish while reading this book. Upon first glance, I thought to myself.."wow, this woman is actually a good writer" Her prose witty, her descriptions exciting... and then about 30 pages in I though "Wow, this woman is really self-absorbed".
Another reviewer put it best "...the overall effect was rather like sitting at a party listening to someone tell a long involved story all about themselves, and you're alternately annoyed and fascinated and you want to get up and leave but she's just so entertaining that you keep telling yourself you'll leave in the next minute--and so you end up sticking through the whole thing".
In the end, I enjoyed the description, felt the author was self-absorbed and also had difficulties with her personal views on love - which can be summed up as leave the husband you are married to (even though he has done nothing wrong but give you stability), fall in love immediately with the next guy who comes along and talk about it incessantly like you are 14 rather than 34, travel the world and instead of waking up and experiencing everything around you -continue to obsess on the your ex-boyfriend who was your rebound from your ex-husband then decide you are so spiritually enlightened that you can move on because you have found an older Brazilian man take care of you (and eventually marry ) who appreciates how narcissistic you are...
Ok- perhaps that is a bit too mean. If you can read the descriptions of the wonderful places she has been and discover some of the spiritual depth beneath her self-absorbed rants about her love life then you have successfully read this book.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
The character tends to be a little self and self absorbed but I did love the story of each of the countries that she visited. I hope one day to venture there myself.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I absolutely loved this! Her story enthralled me and I felt like traveling the world myself. She really opened up about her personally story but also gave a vivid picture of the places she visited. Its definitely not the type of book I normally pick up but I'm glad I did.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I felt like I was on a spiritual journey right along with the author!
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book wasn't as good as I had expected it to be given the rave reviews that it has received. I found the author somewhat shallow and self absorbed. I felt like I was reading a memoir written by a teenage girl from the 60's trying to "find" herself. The first half was actually more interesting than the last half. It was just an OK book; not very memorable.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This author is candid, funny and engaging throughout her story. She flows rhythmically fromone place and one topic to the next. This is almost a self-help book, as she describes so keenly her journey to find herself.
At times, she seems self-absorbed and irritatingly naive in her descriptions of her interactions with others (and herself). But I found my mouth watering from her descriptions of the food. I found myself trying meditation after she told about her experiences. And I found myself looking at my beloved in a new and more open way as she described her lover. in short, she is easy to relate to (because she doesn't hide her own warts or her powers).
When I looked at the title of this book, it turned me off. I thought the book sounded pointless, from the subtitle of her "search for everything", across 3 unrelated countries. She does have a ramblingway of spiraling in on her points, though. She does get there. I found myself reading it until my eyes crossed in bed at night, then again as I cooked oatmeal for my breakfast. Highly recommended.
Victoria M. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
i hated this book. i only made it through 1/2 of india. i found her to be boring - didn't care about her journey. from others i have talked to it is a "love it" or "hate it" book.
Jamie B. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Well, what to say about this book?! After all the hype I had been hearing about it, I just HAD to read it and UGH ... I didn't like it at all. I think this is one of those books that you either really LOVE or you really HATE. I found the author to be a wee bit shallow (a lot of me, me, me going on) and to be honest, I wasn't sure I quite believed everything that she wrote. Although, after reading her description about Italy and Bali ... I do now have a strong desire to go on holiday to both places.
The sequel, Weddings and Evictions, will be available in 2009 ... (I don't think I will be reading this one ... )
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Eat was really good, pray was below average, and love was all right. I'd give this book 3 stars at most.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Loved, loved, loved it! I literally laughed out loud in many places. There were internal thoughts that she wrote about that could just as easily come from my head as they did from hers. Besides the good humor, I really enjoyed learning about different cultures and religions. This books was in no way preachy, and I totally appreciated that too. The spiritual stuff she writes about really could pertain to any religion. That was also very refreshing. This is probably one of my favorite reads recently. I saw the author on Oprah one afternoon, and she writes exactly as she portrayed herself on the show. I'm so glad I picked this one up.
Sallianne D. (
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I heartily agree with other reviews that this book is highly over-rated, although well-written. The author has had more advantages in life than most of us, and continues to expect everything to be perfect, which is impossible. The travel sections were interesting, but I skipped many other parts since it was so boring.
Obviously the excellent marketing of this book put it on the N.Y. Bestseller List for so long, and this was the reason I actually went out and purchased it.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
One woman's year spent "finding herself" after a difficult divorce followed by a disasterous "rebound affair." Liz spends months in Italy, then in an ashram in India, and finally in Bali as she searches for a way to find peace, meaning, spirituality, and balance in her life. Sometimes travelogue, sometimes philosophy, sometimes food critic, sometimes almost chick lit - yet somehow it all works. I'll remember this one for a while.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really love Gilbert as a writer. She is funny and honest. Try her other books.
Jaime (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Audio is the way to go with this book! I KNEW I would not be able to sit down and read this book so I picked up a copy in audio format at my library. OH. MY. GOODNESS! It's one of the best books for me that I've ever listened to! Her self discovery took a lot courage. A lot of people complain that she goes on and on about herself. Well, the book is about her life. About the year long trip she took. I gave it 5 stars.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have not finished the book but I am enjoying it. This book is not only about her external travels to Italy, India and Indonesia but about her internal journey to find peace in her own life. The author is recovering from a nasty divorce and major depression. A lot of the book is her effort to heal and to find a stronger connection to God. My favorite part is the part about India.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed this book. The section in the Indian ashram could have been a little shorter and less self-elevating (at times it seems a little bit whiny or intended to make you see what a wonderfully good person she really is - really!). But overall, a good story and worth reading.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Well written very pithy and funny.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book had some parts that dragged, some chapters were a little disorienting, but overall I found it engrossing. So much was presented about the culture of that part of the world that I found myself grateful with every turn of the page to be an American.
Amber H. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
GREAT book!!! I loved every part of her story and was amazed and inspired by her dedication in India!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a wonderful book. I have all kinds of post its attached to it and it was delightful to read. Being a divorced woman I can identify with her writing and her quest to find happiness. It is a keeper and I won't be adding it to my booklist. I loved it! I even became a fan on facebook.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I found this book to be very easy read. I'm not very spiritual but found it inspiring and one of my favorite books ever. So much to love about this book.
Bree G. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I disliked this book for the most part and pushed myself to keep reading to the end. It was incredibly obnoxious, whiny, and just plain unbelievable. I thought the main character would never stop crying and after awhile I no longer cared.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was shocked to read all the bad reviews... I thought it was really well written and honest to her trip and experiences... i felt myself aligned with much of her thinking (and as some say, whining) but come on, are we not all a little whiney sometimes!? it was genuine and I was jealous of her ability to take a year and find herself... hey, if you cant do it yourself....
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book. I would love to have to opportunity to spend 4 months in Italy and learn the language. One look on how to right your life when you feel your going the wrong way. Can't wait for her next book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I thouroughly enjoyed this book. The writing is great, easy to read, but not boring. The journey is inspiring! I especially love that there are so many spots you may pause and return to, it was easy to read when you are limited on the amount of time you have free. I also found that i needed to make notes, highlight and come back to certain parts that i would be able to incorporate into my own life. Overall great!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Could not finish, the author is too self indulgent and I finally just gave up after Italy.
Shanan O. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Love the tone of this book - light and conversational, yet dealing with such important and weighty issues. Fun and inspiring.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I couldn't finish this book. I thought I would love it after reading a summary, but I gave up halfway through the India section. Skipping through the Bali section didn't do much for me either. I'm glad I didn't pay for it. Sorry...
Karen D. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I hated this book it is about a women trying to find herself.It was so bad I couldnt bring myself to finish reading it.
Suzy L. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I wasn't a fan of this book. The whole exercise struck me as intensely middle-class self-indulgent, as if spiritual fulfillment is accessible only for those with time and money to waste.
Kitty W. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed this book. I feel like it had a lot of insightful advice, information, and stories from which I could learn... and I'm happily married in my first (and only) marriage, and I don't plan to have any of the personal battles tackled by the author. Still, I gained a lot and was entertained by reading this book the whole way through. I would definitely recommend it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Best read this year - it's so inspirational to hear how this women suffers from a divorce, temporary poverty, and extreme loneliness and survives. Quite well. Very happy. And herself!
I had children when I went through my divorce so I couldn't leave on a self-journey, but it certainly was tempting to just pack up and leave - she's my hero! And in the end she not only finds herself but gets her man; her way, part-time, and far, far away. And that's okay. As a matter of fact, it's pretty great.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Don't fall for the hype. Contrived and disappointing. You and I would have much more insight to offer if we had had her travel budget!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I should have read the paperbackswap reviews before requesting because I ordered this book from recommendations from friends and knowing that it was a bestseller. I thought it would definitely be thought provoking. The book, in my opinion, is anything but thought provoking. I agree with the reviewers that said that the author thinks very highly of herself. I find her very selfish and not at all humble. I've almost gotten through Italy but I don't think I will get much further, this is probably going to be a book that I'm going to give up on.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I'm in the middle of it and am enjoying it - but I've put it down and don't feel the overwhelming desire to pick it back up. May feel different when I finish
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Dry, not my interest.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Wonderful book! Well-written, insightful, directive. Every American woman should read it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I would have to agree with the other reviewers who said they didn't finish the book. I didn't even make to the end of the Italy section. I too don't usually give up on a book, but this one is terrible. I really don't see how it was a best seller. I don't think I can actually pinpoint what I didn't like about it. For lack of a better word, it just sucked! I'd like to say I wish I had read the reviews before reading, but I probably would have read anyway, since I like to form my own opinion. I find it funny though that my opinion is spot on with the others who didn't like this book!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Self-indulgent rubbish. Far too much information about the author's every fleeing thought and feeling and much too little on Italy, India and Indonesia.
Ms. Gilbert came across as extremely self-absored and shallow despite her best efforts to be intellectual, cultured and spiritual. I couldn't finish it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is informative, uplifting, and also an easy read. Gilbert keeps the reader engaged. I can almost picture myself in the meditation cave!
Dena R. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This woman was self-indulgent and I found it hard to care about her. Other than that, I liked her descriptive writing. But I just couldn't get past the fact that the story itself was like one big pity party.
Tiffany C. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I started reading this and couldn't finish it. I was having a hard time relating to the writer and I think this is why I didn't have an interest in continuing on this journey with her. I was disappointed because I heard so many good things about it!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Gilbert has an light, readable style and good humor. I especially liked the first part on Italy.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
At first I was ready to put this book down. It was the epitomy of a pity party. Life sucked and going through a divorce is horrible. However, if you can get through the pity party, the rest of this novel is a great number of linked stories with insight of getting one's life back in order. I enjoyed the descriptions and adventures in Italy, India, and especially Bali. There are hidden voices of wisdom throughout.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I thought the author was honest about her emotions and thoughts during her experiences of divorce, separation and travel. I learned a few things I didn't know and I'm glad I read the book. Although I've heard others complain about her "whining," I would just say that maybe those readers were not patient enough with the book. However, I will say that I liked most of the book except for the ending which was a little cliche.
Mandy M. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really loved this book and didn't want it to end. This is truly a woman's journey, but we can all find bits of it to apply to our own lives. It starts off slow, setting the background for this woman's need to search for everything. I highly recommend this book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Couldn't even finish this one; author is immature and frustrating.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. My favorite section was eat, followed by love, and then pray. Although I didn't agree with a lot of the author's philosophy I appreciated her journey. It made me want to go back in time and travel, explore, etc. before having kids. This book definitely made me want to encourage my kids to explore all that life has to offer.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I couldn't finish this. It started strong but after the first few chapters, I found the author tedious and self-involved.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
All of my friends who read this book were either off-put by the author's tone or completely inspired to follow life's path...it all depended on where they were in their lives. I was not inspired, but found the author's story (and her way of telling it) to be an entertaining read. I was not looking for the answer to life's greatest mysteries reading this book-but simply one woman's story as she mucked through the bad and appreciated the good experiences as they came. Read with caution and enjoy thoroughly!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I can not even finish the book. Who cares about your internal struggle from having it all to finding the perfect love. If you have taken the time to live your life and be comfortable with transition and who you are this book will not speak to you. However, if you lived the life you thought you were suppose to or that your parents wanted you to live and you are still unsure who you are and what you want, maybe this book will inspire.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
My mom loved this book and recommended that I read it. I found it boring after her trip to Italy. It didn't really keep my interest.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
an enjoyable book, thought-provoking but not as heavy as I'd imagined.
Julie R. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is a year in the life of a woman trying to find herself. I have never had a book touch me so much. She spends 1 year traveling, 4 months in Italy enjoying pleasure (Eat), 4 months in India learning about her spirituality (Pray), and the final 4 months in Indonesia trying to learn how to balance pleasure and spirituality.
The part in India is the part that touched me so much. It is the first time I've encountered anyone approach/address religion in a way that I can truly wrap my head around and understand.
In addition to that chapter I can identify with her search in general. I've gone through the crappy divorce and the wondering who I really am after giving up so much to be with someone else. This book is a true gem, so much more than I would have expected.
Jana B. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book. My sister hated it and stopped reading it, but I thought it was a wonderful memoir of a period of seeking in the authors life. I, too, am a spiritual seeker and really understood her and her travels. What a special journey!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book took me forever to read. I wouldn't have finished it except our book club decided to read it. Most of us thought it was not worth the time.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was highly recommended to me by a friend, and I started out loving it. I enjoyed the descriptions of Italy, the food, her friends, and her voice throughout the pages. To be honest, a short story about her travels in Italy would have been perfect. I begin to tire of both her writing style and the subject matter half-way through India. She started to grate on my nerves. I almost couldn't finish it when I got to Bali, but because I have a self-imposed rule not to give up on books unless they are absolutely horrible, I continued on until the end. It wasn't really bad -- just very tiring. I have to admit that I skimmed most of the Bali section, just reading enough to get the gist of what happened to her. Elizabeth Gilbert is a very talented writer with a knack for endearing metaphors, but she needs to focus a little less on herself - even in a memoir.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really liked the first two thirds of this book! It made it SOOO worth the read. It was like having a conversation with a friend. I think it will appeal to female readers who are unmarried and childless, or vice versa and would like to live vicariously through someone who was brave enough to step back before she went down that road. It was a virtual vacation!
Patty U. - Goodyear, AZ reviewed on 5/17/2009...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book.
Lynn M. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is truly one of the best books I have ever read-- hands down. I am not a reader of "travelogues" and this is definitely not in that genre. The writer shares her feelings throughout, and the reader understands her journey of healing from a painful divorce, rooting for her all the way. In the end, she unexpectedly finds love (hooray!). The characters, events, ups and downs of customs and cultures on the other side of the world, together with the writer's witty and very funny writing style made this a book I could not put down.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book changed my thinking about the way I live. This was a great one! I couldn't put it down! If you're looking for a book on spiritual change, this is it!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have not read this book but I have heard nothing good about it to make me want to read it. Another terrible book from Oprah, I have tried several of her books and no thank you. I thought at first this would have something to do about christ and religion but that is far from the truth. Dont waste your time.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Really didn't enjoy this book. She is way too much a whiner. she was able to take months off for this "personal quest", and who can afford to do this, and whined about it the entire time. I stopped reading half way through. Get a real life.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book. This seems to be a I love it or hate it book. Some people felt it was too winney, however, I feel that many of us think this way about ourselves. It is supposed to be about this womans life and I feel it was very true to her.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I was sad when I was done reading it! I absolutely LOVED this book! I thought it was beautifully written with such rich and thought through descriptions. I could not put it down. Many parts I laughed out loud at. This is a book that I would recommend to friends who enjoy travel, meditation and introspection.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I had many friends who recommended this book, so I finally got an audio copy. I have to say that I think it really added to it, since it was read by the author. It really put you in touch with her feelings and I could feel myself traveling with her. I have told everyone I know to read it!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is one of the best books I have ever read! (I have read many!) Elizabeth captures the feelings of a great many women. The only thing is that I wished I could do what she did.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
By the time I read this book, I felt as if I had already "read" it from seeing the author on Oprah. However, the book is worth reading as one woman's inspirational story and journey.
Nancee A. - NY reviewed on 4/1/2009...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is a fun account of the author's travels through Italy, India, and Indonesia, while searching for herself. The rich descriptions make you first hunger for Italian food, then strive to learn meditation. The people depicted are fun and interesting, and the author's humor makes the book fun, if not a bit off course in the final section.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
If you are in a place where you aren't sure what makes you happy anymore, this book will give you a glimpse into how to find yourself. I really appreciated that Gilbert puts it all out there. I think most women can relate to her story. I really enjoyed this book and could read it a million times and still walk away feeling inspired.
Carrie S. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I agree with many of the other reviewers...I just could not get into this book. Knowing the book to be a bestseller, I went back to it several times to try again, each time I was just as bored.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I identified with Liz Gilbert with every turn of the page. It was an incredibly honest and unguarded account of a difficult time in her life and how she came to terms with it. I found her story to be moving, hilarious, heartwarming, and above all - inspirational. This is a must read for every woman.
Jennifer H. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Hard to get into, I tried but I just couldn't relate.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
There is nothing more annoying than a blonde dancing through life complaining how unfair everything is while getting paid all kinds of cash to travel the world and whine.
Some of us have been through much worse with much less and we rise above and deal with it. I applaude that she was able to get paid to do all of these things but please how is it that this self indulgent piece of nonsense is being heralded. Please consider the source as you read this book and realize that the world treats the attrative and blonde different from the rest of us.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Incredible prose with a great sense of wit. The author describes her journey of self-discovery in a way that makes me want to take my own such journey. She leaves what seems to be her fairy-tale life, digs herself out of a debilitating depression, then sets out to find pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and balance between the two in Bali. She's honest and real, and gives all of us 30-somethings the hope that we're really not too old to learn new tricks and to discover, at the end of it all, ourselves. Happiness is ours for the taking--we just have to make our happiness first.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
You feel like you travel to each respective country with Elizabeth--Italy: to eat, India: to pray and Indonesia: to love--The writer's style is breezy, yet intellectual. I read this shortly after my divorce and was able to connect to Elizabeth's feelings of loss and despair.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I never finished this book. It is divided into three sections: first section places the protagonist in Italy; second in India, and I never made it to section three, in Bali. In fact, I put this book down after section one.
Stacey A. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I've heard a lot of criticism of "Eat, Pray, Love" and after reading it I've come to the conculsion that while some of the ciritism holds weight, the book is still very enjoyable. Elizabeth Gilbert is not everyones cup of tea - she kind of embodies the sterotype of the clueless elitist looking to escape a life that most people in the world can only dream of. Still, despite this I found her fairly likeable and authentic. The first and third portion of the book are most entertaining - I got a little bit bored in India. At the end of the day, I'd recommend it.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I am not sure what others expected of this book, but I had no expectations when I read it, and found it very delightful! I loved it so much that I gave my copy to a friend, who also loved it. Maybe you can only enjoy this story if you are in a certain place in your life, and I guess I'm there. I could see Liz's brokenness after her divorce as stage many women go through -- the pain of letting go of the past and making major life changes, the self-doubt and recrimination, the need to go away for a time, soothing our hurts by indulding in pasta, chocolate, alcohol, etc! And then she moves on to discover silence, discipline, service, and mediation, but she is so real about how challenging that part is, and how humorous it is to be imperfectly human! Finally, she starts to look outward again and to help others, she learns to let go and begin to love again, and who cannot relate to the fear and uncertainty of that! I took this to be a story of a woman who is trying to find her way through a diffficult passage in life with sometimes positive results, sometimes hurtful results, but a lot of insight and humor along the way. LOVED IT.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I am a very picky reader, but i loved this book: gilbert writes in a poetic - but not flowery - manner and makes her journey (both the breakdowns and breakthroughs) make the reader long to go on a self-discovery journey of their own.
i highly recommend...and start saving money for your own voyage!
~heleninski
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have decided that when a book reaches the best seller list it is time for me to reconsider reading it. Every time I read a best seller I am disappointed. Maybe I expect too much!! To me this book was very similar to Under The Tuscan Sun; Not so much in the story line itself but in the overall style of the book.
I felt that I could be reading a day in the life of anyone but this woman happened to be in Italy, India and Indonesia. So what? It would be as if I wrote a whole book on my recent vacation to Mexico. I did plenty of eating, some yoga and some reflection while I was there. I don't need to write 300 pages to tell you that I gained some weight, felt good about the exercise I was doing for my body with the yoga and the exercise I did for my mind while meditating on a raft in a pool.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
It was an interesting read. A bit slow in some places, and I had to question what I would learn from it. Being honest with oneselt is key and learning to love yourself and others will love you right back.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I heard about this book from Oprah, it sounded amazing! And I do agree that the 1st section (Italy) was good. Actually I loved it, reading & travel my 2 favorite things. But through India I've been bored out of my mind! I'm thinking about going back and skimming the last section to see if its worth reading. But I still gave it 4 stars for the Italy section- I just loved it. Makes me want to live/study abroad even more!!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved the Eat section. The Pray and Love sections were really hard for me to finish.
Carole K. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I found this book a beautiful read. I am a spiritual type of person and start each day with a prayer so I could really relate to her journey. The people she met were interesting too. I highly recommend this story to those who are looking for a connection to another female searching for her place in life detailing love, weight and being a caring person. I agree that a soul searching angst type of read is not for everyone but I did identify with her personally and truly could not put this book down. A defining read for me.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I have to say I am quite surprised by all the negative reviews. This was my top read of 2008 by far. Once I started it I could not set it down. I feel the author is a very brave lady not only to travel for 12 months by herself but to write about her experiences openly and honestly. I would be happy to read more of her work.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed this book about the authors quest for a better life and happiness more than I thought I would. It was very entertaining as Elizabeth Gilbert is quite funny and this book insightful. I look forward to her next book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
While the 'pray' section of the book is a bit more difficult to get into, the other two - 'eat' and 'love' are a lot of fun. A good read.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Based on the hype surrounding this book I really, really tried to enjoy. I gave up half way through.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I absolutely loved this book. The first part was quite adventurous..it slowed a bit in the middle (possibly b/c I'm not interested in going to India). Then it resulted in a full circle. Great book.
Danielle reviewed on 7/11/2008...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is absolutely my favorite book on this planet. If you have ever been bit by the travel bug, add this book to your wishlist. It's a MUST!
Jane (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A person's memoir, particularly about a personal faith journey, is something that will either connect with you or won't. For me, I really connected with the author and enjoyed her frank and open discussion of her travels and her facing her demons.
The opening third, in which she very openly discusses her depression and dealing (or in some cases NOT dealing) with it, is difficult to read, however. I suggest reading through the first third (Italy), and if you're not connecting with the author at that point to let it go. But I found myself intrigued by her journey and curious as to how India and Indonesia would shape her personal journey, and thoroughly enjoyed the last two thirds of the book. (I'll never forget Richard from Texas. What a hoot!)
Also, I think it's really critical that you read the introduction for this book. There is a reasoning behind the way she "parsed" this book, and I think it's important to know why she did that so that you're not distracted by the way the book is segmented.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I think you have to "get" this book to enjoy it. I liked it, but didn't love it. I enjoyed the travel aspect, and the extreme courage it must have taken just to venture to these places alone. This is something I have always been itching to do. But I did not relate to her relationship problems nor the spiritual journey and her descriptions of it. Alot of this area, I just skipped over. Maybe I am just not deep enough. I even put the book down for a few months, and just recently picked it up again and started over. I'm glad that I did!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of the most inspiring books that I have ever read.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I really enjoyed this book. Not my usual cup of tea, it was a gift. But I pushed through the beginning (boring) and found myself enjoying her journey. It was interesting to me as I learned new things about other cultures (Italy, Indonesia, India). Good, quick, read.
Monica (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Well, I can't say as though I either loved or loathed this book. It was okay. Beautifully written, absolutely. But I didn't like the author's personality AT ALL; I just wanted to kick her throughout much of the book... shake her and say "grow up already!!".
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I absolutely loved this book!!!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Fantastic Book, can't wait to read the followup in 2009
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I adore this book!!!!! I so enjoyed reading this. I had just finished reading the horrible book, A Memory Keeper's Daughter, (only the 2nd book in my 64 years that I haven't finished entirely) when I picked up this one. It is delightful, funny and wise.
Gina F. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed this book very much. It made me want to visit India and take up meditation.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I enjoyed this book. I am truly jealous of her stint in Italy. Not as fun as some other books I have read, but in many places gave me something to think about whether it be love, religion, or life in general. For me, it wasn't a "couldn't put it down" kind of a book, but it still was worth reading.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
While I understand most reviewer's opinions about Elizabeth Gilbert's journey being "whiny" and "annoying" (because honestly there were some points in the book where I had to think to myself "oh come on!"), overall I found her spiritual journey awakening. With the bad, no matter how bad, you can always make good. Her delicious trip to Italy made me want to board a plane to Rome sans any thoughts of dieting. Her trip to India made me want to release all stresses and learn how to communicate spiritually in silence. I found her trip to beautiful Bali was lacking in my interest, but it seems like a gorgeous place to finally find yourself.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This was a good book to read. Short chapters. She has very descriptive writing style and makes you feel like you are there on the trips with her. It is an autobiography style book. I liked reading about the food she ate in Italy and her trips around the area. The prayer section in India was interesting, but a bit long I thought. I liked the love section in Indonesia where she finally finds love and is able to learn about herself and heal herself.
Candy B. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I couldn't finish this one. I made it to page 67. The author's voice is driving me crazy. She's so... I dunno... annoying. I am just not getting it. Oh well... onward to something else... this wasn't really my bag, but I did try!
Funny about this book - this is the 3rd copy I have had. The first one I borrowed and had to return before I could read it. The next one disappeared. It is NO WHERE to be found. Poof! I bought this one at Barnes & Noble. Someone was trying to tell me not to read this book, so I'm not gonna anymore. Irritating book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I would have to agree with other reviewers. I struggled to get through "Italy" hoping that things would get better in "India". When Liz continued to be repetitive - whining about her ex-husband, ex-boyfriend and herself I couldn't take it any more. She's funny at times, but even her one-liners get annoying. I was expecting a lot more from this book considering it has been on the best seller list forever - I guess I must learn the hard way that best sellers do not always equal good reading.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I so looked forward to reading this book but did not even finish it. It was just a travelogue of a priveleged woman who did not treat others very well. I was severely disappointed after all the hype.
Liane M. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
An amazing read that I will reread throughout my lifetime. I buy this book for friends rather than lend it out.
Kristi W. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book was so incredibly difficult for me to finish. I cannot for the life of me see why it has gotten such great reviews. Ms. Gilbert seems to be a very self-centered person and that thinks she needs to go on a world-wide self discovery journey for some really relatively minor (in the grand scheme of things) life problems. Honestly, I never could find anything to feel so sorry for her about that would warrant writing a book.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
A truly enjoyable read. Accomplished writer. a must read.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is another book I would never have gotten for myself. This story opened my eyes to so many parts of the world and the spirit Elizabeth Gilbert found for herself is truly amazing... Great Book and very well written
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I didn't like this book at all. It is so boring I didn't even finish reading it...
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
AWESOME, AWESOME book. A beautifully written journey. Will give every reader some insight and perspective on how to stay balanced in life =)
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Gilbert's tale of regaining her lost soul. This non-fiction account of her disasterous divorce and how she became whole again. Well written, bitter sweet, very funny at times, this book does slow in the 2nd part when she is in India, but well worth reading otherwise.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
This is probably the best book that I read all last year. It is about a woman who has to get away to find herself, and I found it highly inspiring. Yes, she starts out a bit self absorbed, but not more so than anyone else that lives in America today. Her character undergoes huge personal change throughout the book, which is sad as well as humorous. I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone that has recently gone through a breakup or difficult time of transition in their life. I would especially recommend this book for women.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
The author is so likable that you will forgive her when the book is uneven and the concept of the "stories" as beads in a chain is a bit stretched. As you follow her journey through Italy, India and Indonesia you may yearn for a year away from reality to rediscover yourself!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I didn't finish this book. I found it to be a hard read.
Celeste B. (
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I LOVED this book. Great read. I highly recommend this.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
What a terrific book!!!! I enjoyed every minute of it. This is such a soul-searching adventure.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
I loved this book. She has a wonderful, simple, funny writing style and is very relatable. I have spent significant time in Italy and India, so it was a wonderful way for me to revisit those places. thank you Elizabeth!
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
One of the best memoirs I've read in a long while. The story is compelling, funny, and her life is filled with insight for each of us.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Really good book. As a man it was a bit of a irregular read. I really enjoyed the book, she is very upfront about everything and its downright funny at times to read the dilemmas she goes through. If your a guy get a cover or something because apparently its a "girl book" and women were wondering why I was reading such a book. It was very different from "a long way gone" which I had just finished reading a day before I opened this one up.
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
loved this book
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
All three chapters afre very different and it is a very spiritual book
1 member(s) found this review helpful.
An intriguing journey of a modern women's quest of self discovery.
Sarah A. (For anyone with a spiritual / self-help bent - and if you love to travel and escape into another life.
Avi B. (This book is now on my favorite book list. I can't recommend it enough!!!
This was a phenomenal and inspiring book. I will not be posting it here to give away as I'm sure I will be reading it again and again. Something I rarely do!
There are a lot of bad reviews about this book but it is one of my favorites. It just touched me. India was my favorite section of the book.
I agree with everything everyone has said about this book.
For the most part I enjoyed this book. The writing flows well, though it leans a bit too much on colloquialisms I find annoying, such as "Me and my lover, we.." (I forget now what they did, but it was annoying. I would have rated this book higher, but as a vegan I find it difficult to reconcile sprituality with the continued oppression and mutilation of animals, especially for those of us who live in western countries where non-animal alternatives abound. To me that smacked of hypocrisy.
That said, there is still an inspirational and hopeful element to the book, while it is at the same time an intimate memoir.
I felt inspired by this book. Humorous and Heart-breakingly Serious...
This book is a LOT of fun, I recommend to anyone with a yen to travel.
This is a great anytime read. I would describe the book as interesting, inspirational, emotional and adventourous. I didn't want to put it down!
I could NOT put this book down! Until I got about halfway through, that is. If you're not avidly interested in eastern religions and/or meditation, the middle section of this boko will drag a bit for you, but the book is well-worth the read.
An OK read, but not my type of book so was hard for me to keep interested in it. I found the last third of book more interesting than the beginning.
This was a good book. I found the Italy and Indonesia sections the most entertaining (in that order), but the India section dragged for me. Overall the book was definitely worth reading.
(I like this book so much I'm going to keep it on my bookshelf rather than trade it! The title pretty much tells you about it... Just to add a little bit of my opinion; I think you get to see a woman grow from being self-centered and aimlessly searching to knowing herself well enough to just be! The idea of "this too shall pass"... it applies to both sadness and happiness. The book really isn't meant to help you or give you tips, but if you feel at all like you are searching and aimless in life, you will identify with some of her thoughts and experiences. Valuable just for that reason.
This is one of the best books I have read in recent years. There is so much wisdom and "food" for thought encased within its pages.
Cara (Elizabeth Gilbert is a woman on a mission of self-discovery. Few women can identify with the thirty-one year old who had a husband, country home and successful career as a NY writer. Fewer still can identify with the ability to take nine months off to discover oneself following a wrenching divorce. In a funny travel journal, Gilbert writes of her experiences traveling through Italy, India and Indonesia. It's her thoughtful insight and witty prose that make this a book worth reading.
Great memoir, a fun read. I really enjoyed hearing her descriptions of all of the places she traveled to and how they effected her.
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