Eat, Pray, Love in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Aug 27, 2008 Julia rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: travel, memoir

Listened to it on audiobook and was glad that I didn't waste good reading time on it. While it was entertaining in parts and did contain some interesting ideas, I have very little interest at this point in my life in reading about the spiritual journeys of others. This book was all about Liz Gilbert's quest to find god, despite what the title suggests. Since that is the case, the title annoys me. India is a country to which westerners have flocked to in the past few decades to develop their spir ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Feb 17, 2008 Sarah left GR rated it really liked it

Shelves: memoir

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I only just realized that this isn't my first Elizabeth Gilbert book. Her novel, Stern Men, was the cause of my highest-ever late fine at the Chicago Public Library. It wasn't the kind of fine you accrue because you love the book too much to return it... it was the kind you accrue because the book was so completely unremarkable that you forgot it was sitting on your nightstand. I vaguely recall learning a lot about lobster fishing, but that's about it.

Luckily for Eat, Pray, Love, Gilbert creat I only just realized that this isn't my first Elizabeth Gilbert book. Her novel, Stern Men, was the cause of my highest-ever late fine at the Chicago Public Library. It wasn't the kind of fine you accrue because you love the book too much to return it... it was the kind you accrue because the book was so completely unremarkable that you forgot it was sitting on your nightstand. I vaguely recall learning a lot about lobster fishing, but that's about it.

Luckily for Eat, Pray, Love, Gilbert creates a very memorable character when she's writing about herself. This narrator-heroine undergoes quite transformation throughout the year chronicled.

Gilbert divides the book into three section; each describing a four-month sojourn in a different country and in a different stage of healing and spiritual growth. My favorite Liz was the one in Italy -- still raw from the pain of her divorce and subsequent disastrous affair, she soothes herself with new friends, pasta and Italian lessons.

Once she leaves Italy to spend four months in an ashram in India though, she becomes less accessible. I don't think this is a flaw in the writing; it is simply that, in her meditation practice, she is going places that I can't follow. She's most effective when describing her own thoughts, feelings, and experiences. When she wanders in to Pronouncement Territory (and wander she does... I found myself counting the number of times she began a sentence with "Every religion in the world..."), she loses credibility, as well as flow.

Her first visit to Pronouncement Territory was the one that really threw me. In chapter (or "bead") seventeen, Gilbert describes her decision to (finally) try antidepressant medication. She expresses her fears and reservations, then proceeds to spend paragraphs telling her readers that such meds are overprescribed, and should always be a person's last resort. Her indictment of a therapy which she herself used strikes me as hypocritical, irresponsible, and uncharacteristic of the rest of the book. Her decision to try antidepressant meds only after a very near suicide attempt may provide some literary drama, but at what cost?

Other than that one jarring chapter, I thoroughly enjoyed sharing Gilbert's journey and would highly recommend this book to others.

...more

Like · see review

Jun 25, 2008 Jessica rated it it was amazing

I've heard a mixed bag of reviews for this book...the bad ones made me hesitate to pick it up, but the good ones made me hope it was as good as said reviews claimed. The popularity of the book made me afraid it was gimmicky, which I hate. I don't read books just because Oprah tells me they're good. My biggest factor in reading it was that one of my best friends recommended it to me. She has known me well enough and long enough at this point for me to feel comfortable in any recommendation she gi ...more

Like · see review

Dec 30, 2008 Anne rated it really liked it

Shelves: borrowed, memoirs

Eat, Pray, Love is Elizabeth Gilbert's story of a year spent searching for earthly pleasure, divine grace and the means to live balanced between them every day. It's a heart-wrenching story, especially if you've ever found yourself weeping in the bathroom in the middle of the night yourself.

I truly enjoyed her story, and found her sense of humor and easy prose to be an interesting counterpoint to the depth of the subject matter. She's walking you through parts of her personal hell, vividly descr ...more

Like · see review

Aug 04, 2010 Tiffany rated it liked it

Three stars is a gift, Elizabeth Gilbert. Just so you know.
I enjoyed reading about Italy, India and Bali. I am still hungry for the Italian pizza she was always eating. Still.... the entire point of her journey (it seemed to me) was to reach a comfortable self awareness, to recognize and like herself again, apart from the men who defined her from a very early age. And when she reaches the end of her journey? .... wait for it: She's found another man. Blech. I was disappointed in the ending, obvi ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 14, 2009 Molly rated it it was ok

Shelves: chapter-books

I feel guilty that I did not like this book. Very guilty! I know many of you loved it but I just finished 3 cups of Tea. After reading that book this one seems a little self serving. I am sooooo sorry to those of you who love it but I wish she would have gotten over herself sooner and found ways to help those with real needs all around her. Adult.

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 25, 2008 Maggie rated it it was amazing

I know this book is so cliche and Oprah and everything else, but I thought it was great. Elizabeth Gilbert is hilarious if self-indulgent. India was a bit tedious, but Italy and Bali more than made up for it. I was really happy for her at the end of the book; it seemed she achieved the goals she set for herself, but was realistic about the fact that you will ebb and flow and have to work to maintain your mental balance and state of happiness. Most importantly to me (perhaps because I don't harbo ...more

Like · see review

Feb 19, 2010 Linda rated it liked it

Italy was great, India not so much, good writing though.

Like · see review

Dec 08, 2008 Amanda rated it liked it

Kind of overrated, but interesting.

Like · see review

Feb 13, 2008 Molly rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction

i really enjoyed reading this one. the only reason i didn't give it 5 stars is because i sometimes was distracted when gilbert felt the need to justify herself or her actions. i understand that it showed her growth, but she is so funny and well-written otherwise that i could've done without.

on a completely different note...i loved the message of being honest with yourself and dealing with your own issues.

i also will say, the last page gave me chills. literally.

loved the message! ...more

Like · see review

Jan 30, 2008 Denise Cormaney rated it it was amazing

I have to admit, I'm such a stereotype.....As an American hausfrau, I'll read pretty much anything Oprah tells me to. I really like this book...really good insights, and her narrative makes you feel like you're listening to a good friend tell you her experiences. ...more

Like · see review

Jun 29, 2009 Megan rated it liked it

Shelves: memoirs, la-barca-book-club

I was excited to read this book and I wanted to like it...but in the end I was disappointed. Italy was OK, I actually liked the India part, but she lost me in Indonesia. I will say, I at least liked the underlying message: Love yourself.

Like · see review

May 28, 2008 Erika rated it it was amazing

This books is amazing! It's inspiring in so many ways. I was utterly fascinated and completely jealous of her travels and adventure. A lovely group of stories woven into one. Her writing is endearing to say the least. ...more

Like · see review

Sep 22, 2008 Rivkah rated it it was ok

Interesting. The author is pretty courageous, traveling around the world by herself, but I was uncomfortable with her extensive foray into Eastern philosophy (a third of the book).

Like · see review