MelissaS's review

thanks for putting into words exactly my frustration and disappointment with this book. i was so irritated with this book i couldn't even finish it. your review says it all. thank you!!!

You said it better than I did. I hated this book!

I was just getting ready to write a review of this book, beginning to grasp for words that would succinctly and correctly describe the full extent of my disgust, when I saw that you more or less had already done it for me. Thanks.

thank you for clearly stating my disgust with this book. It's been a year since our book club discussed it (I was in the majority!), and i still get riled up thinking about it.

Christine, I have never met Melissa, but based on her review, I like her already.

You articulated everything I wished I could say about this mass marketed campaign of a book! I didn't know I could give something zero stars, but now I'm going to change my initial review of 1 star thanks to you!

Not quite sure how her experience was not "real", as you put it...she did actually go to those countries, learned Italian, and prayed at an Ashram in India, and helped a single mother get a house. This book is not fictional, it really did happen. So, to say that her experience wasn't "real" is pretty judgemental. Also, how would you know unless you were her?

I think you may have come to this book with the wrong intentions. Perhaps you were looking for a book to transcend all ages, and give a new meaning to life. I think people should take from it what they will, it's not a self-help book aimed at telling people to follow in Liz's footsteps. It's more of a fun read that hopefully uplifts readers who may feel similarly to the main character early on in the book. It tells about an incredible journey of an everyday woman. Not too many have the balls to take this kind of a trip.

For you to discredit what this woman did, I disagree with that. Have you been to Bali and helped a woman get a house? How can that not be an enriching experience, and how does that act of kindness make her a "detached observer" as you say?

"And here is where I'll stop in my book and tell you all the things that are wrong with anti-depressents before I justify why I took them for 6 months and explain my every intention to wean myself off of them for the aforementioned reasons why anti-depressents are so bad for you."

(This is how I felt she "talked at" me during the book.)


YAWN!
What a lousy writer.

I am so happy every time I run into a person that feels this way about this book! I am so frightened to think that this is what is being promoted "out there".

I have seen her on a "3 years later" show on Oprah and I am convinced that reality has set in and the woman is probably more depressed than ever. And now she has to live up to all that! That could be a living hell in itself!

Now, does anyone know of a book that tells of a woman's journey from the depths of a bad marriage to making it work - along with acceptance of her changing body and her love of good food! That's why I ran out and bought that trash - in hardcover!!

Kristen, here at goodreads you are entitled to your review...I am not here to defend my reviews- they are what they are- my reviews. Hence, I did not search out who "liked" the book you are refering to so that I could disagree with them...I simply read the book and posted my review. My hope is that you will do the same, as I see no point in you trying to change or argue with this/my reader’s review. Thanks!

I was debating on reading this book and I found this review very helpful in making my decision. I think I will pass on this book. Thank you for a very intellectual review.

MelissaS,

I am in the middle of reading this book and am enjoying it quite a bit. While I often read books that are philosophically &/or spirutually challenging, I don't mind that this book isn't.

Although I might hold myself to the type of standards you so nicely outlined & seem to be asking of Gilbert, I don't feel compelled to hold her to them...those were not my expectations or requirements when I set out to read Eat, Pray, Love.

I agree with Kristin in her catagorization of your judgement. Do you have to defend/change your review here at Goodreads? No. I don't think Kristen was trying to get you to argue your point or change your mind. I feel she responded (quite nicely) by shining some light on another perspective.... a valid & relevent perspective...in response to your review. (while I'm not cheering 5 stars for the book, I felt the same as she when I read your opinions)

My understanding of reviews-with the ability to comment-is that some interesting discussions/(awareness) can come about. Not only when we're in agreement, but also when we have a different take.

I think, at least glancing at the other side of the coin, is most definately a step toward enlightenment.

I thank both you, MelissaS, & Kristen for your comments.

Thank you! I thought I was the only one who thought this book was wretched. I so rarely read "grown up" books, and I had such high hopes for this. I just couldn't bring myself to care about this woman and her self-indulgent journey.

Thanks for your review. I was beginning to feel pretty lonely about wanting to vomit several times during the reading of this book. Wouldn't a more interesting and honest project have been to do something with people living in the Italian/Indonesian/Indian communities that perhaps benefits THEM, and think about a spiritual healing through that approach? The entire thing was just way too privileged and narcissistic for me to swallow.

i actually wanted to hate this book. then a friend gave me a ticket to listen to elizabeth gilbert speak in person and i fell in love with her. i was still nervous about the book, from what i could tell it seemed whiney and selfish.

however, i found myself sympathizing with her and being so glad she made that year abroad possible for herself. she has no kids, she had the financial means, and you know what? sometimes people fall out of love for reasons they can't even articulate. i think crying every night in the bathroom is a huge clue that she needed out of that relationship and i don't need to know all the details to endorse her actions. it's frankly none of my business.

elizabeth gilbert is very clear that her book is simply her story. she does not encourage any of her readers to follow her path but to find and follow their own. she gives hope that unhappy situations can get better. and that it's an ongoing journey - she said that so many people look at her now as if her life is settled, solved like a sudoku puzzle, but that's ridiculous. we all try every day to make it through, and we do the best we can with what we have.

anyway. just wanted to share my opinion. thanks :)

Your review put into words many feelings I had about this book. To be fair, I normally do not read books like this, I'm a fiction horror-mystery-suspense fan, but my book club chose to read this, I got out-voted, and what's the point in a book club if you don't read books you otherwise wouldn't think of reading, sometimes I feel myself surprised at how well a book turned out, and sometimes I'm surprised at how awful a book turned out. I did not want to read this at all, but decided to go into it with an open mind. I liked it MUCH less that I thought I would. I could not relate to the author at all, she did not endear me one little bit and I felt she was selfish, self absorbed, and I think she is a terrible writer. It did not feel any enjoyment or entertainment from this at all, and my time is too precious to waste on something bad. I was beginning to think I was the only one who felt this way, it seems the majority of the ladies from my book club who have read this are liking it, which surprises me SO much. I think it's trash. The only good thing is that I got it from the library, so did not pay even a dime for it.

Memoir is writing about yourself, as defenders of this book have said: Being self-absorbed is part of the genre. Well and good, but in comparison with dozens of other memoirs I've read in recent years, this one takes the cake for narcissism.

I give the author credit for her descriptive powers (especially regarding pizza) and for her honesty in often presenting herself as a dolt. And I think the subject she tried to address is worthy. What I object to is the impression that all the superficial soul-searching amounts to a soap box from which she proceeds to say anything, regardless of its relevance or justification. The book could have been much better with some constructive feedback.

I wrote a review of it on another site and will say no more, but your reaction to the book closely matches my own.

You go girl! Exactly how I felt.