This beautifully written, heartfelt memoir touched a nerve among both readers and reviewers. Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a ... (show more)
This beautifully written, heartfelt memoir touched a nerve among both readers and reviewers. Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali. By turns rapturous and rueful, this wise and funny author (whom Booklist calls Anne Lamotts hip, yoga- practicing, footloose younger sister) is poised to garner yet more adoring fans. (show less)
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My stepmother gave me this book to read. I took it with a bit of hesitation -- she can get very new-agey at times, too much for my atheist blood --... (show more)
My stepmother gave me this book to read. I took it with a bit of hesitation -- she can get very new-agey at times, too much for my atheist blood -- but I gave her the benefit of the doubt and dove in. It's amazing. I've found myself (very uncharacteristically) reaching for a pencil to underline a particularly inspiring phrase, paragraph, whatever. (The "spiritual" part of the book I feared most -- too much "God", I worried -- but Gilbert makes sure she clarifies in the beginning that she uses "God" for lack of a better term. I have replaced it, in my own mind, as searching for "peace", and am taking so much away from it.) I've thought so much about my upcoming hike (I've decided to hike the entire Appalachain Trail (2174 mi or 3498 km) in 2010) and just KNOW that I need to have this with me. (show less)
Elizabeth Gilbert has a gift of making everyone her friend. Her fun first person narrative voice has a way of making you feel like you are her lon... (show more)
Elizabeth Gilbert has a gift of making everyone her friend. Her fun first person narrative voice has a way of making you feel like you are her long time girl friend-- but the one you would never introduce to your parents -- or much less your husband. I was engaged, but at the same time I found myself frustrated with her! Here is a woman who has everything in the world-- youth, health, beauty and a job that is literally paying her to live in three exotic locals and still she is complaining. Still she is messed up?!!. Come on! What hope do the rest of us living life in the real world have if it takes this kind of an odessy to come to grips with life as good as it gets. Frankly, by the end I could see that Ms. Gilbert was triumphant in what she had discovered about herself, but I was left feeling that really all that had happened was that she saw all her demons exposed and rather than expelling them, she had learned to accept and live with them. I think I'd rather have mine expelled. (show less)
While the premise is lovely, and parts genuinely touching, am I the only one that found this overly self-indulgent, whiney and rushed?
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Honestly, this book isn't what it's cracked up to be. An interesting read, but the author is a little too whiney and self-indulgent. I am having trouble getting through it and am tired of hearing of her self induced problems.
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It was okay for me, not nothing to brag about. It did make me laugh a few times, but it was long winded and I took a break from it, and did not feel like getting back. The movie will be better, with visual images of such different countries and experiences. I m curious how the scrip will be adapted ;-)
Eva Munoz 3 days agoThe book was OK. I kept putting it down and going back to it. It took me 2 years to finish it.
Facebook User 4 days agoI just finished the 2nd part on India, and LOVED what she had to say regarding spirituality and prayer/meditation.
LOVE chapter 58, pages 176 and 177
"Prayer is a relationship; half the job is mine. Destiny is also a relationship - a play between divine grace and wilfull self-effort."
WELL SAID.
Not much I can say apart from how much it is related to my own spiritual experiences. It doesn't get any better than this :-)
Facebook User 18 days agoI can't believe we are talking about the same book! I didn't have enough breaks at work or time at night at home before i had to sleep to finish this book! I thought the indulgence and "whiny" tendencies was reflective of today's generation. But then she set "it" aside and GOT IT. Full circle..
Amanda Lofthus 23 days agoI've picked this book and put it down so many times and then I realized I just didn't have the desire to finish it.
Mary Pat Lambert 23 days agoAn interesting read, but I agree with the others that the self-absorbed nature made it lose some of its appeal. Gives some insight into the expatriate culture.
Christine Johns 24 days agoThis book has been added to these lists:
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