Eat, Pray, Love in Overdue Podcast

Jul 14, 2008 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Re-reading for book club... wonder if my opinion below will change three years later now that my life circumstances have changed in a way similar to the author's!
Former comments from 2007: Very inspiring although a bit self-absorbed. Elizabeth's travels through three countries whose names all start with "I" are exciting, reflective and enviable. Maybe it's the mid-life divorce thing, but I feel like I have much in common with this author and she puts my thoughts in words quite well.

Updated comm Re-reading for book club... wonder if my opinion below will change three years later now that my life circumstances have changed in a way similar to the author's!
Former comments from 2007: Very inspiring although a bit self-absorbed. Elizabeth's travels through three countries whose names all start with "I" are exciting, reflective and enviable. Maybe it's the mid-life divorce thing, but I feel like I have much in common with this author and she puts my thoughts in words quite well.

Updated comments from 2010: I woke up this morning and finished the chapter on Indonesia in Eat Pray Love. I know you all will laugh at my emotional Oprah and yoga loving, Unitarian, idealistic sappiness, but I do really really LOVE that book!

I read it for the first time about 4 years ago when I was newly divorced and so much of what she says rang true to me then, but it was during a time in my life when I was crying on a bathroom floor similar to Liz in her first chapter. So I was curious to see what I would think of the book now that I am in a different place in my life, now that it has been parodied and is about to become a movie with "Julia effing Roberts." So I just read it again this week.

I get the whole self-indulgent thing, but really, haven't many introspective spiritual guides been written by men through the eons without being so criticized? And I get the jealousy thing but really, she earned the money to go on this enviable trip as a book advance because she IS a good writer... and luckily had the freedom to do this, due to her choice to not have kids. I found it to be a quick read that had LOL funny sections and deep sections echoing my own thoughts on religion, love, life, divorce and travel. And it really did speak to me and inspire me again.

This part in the Bali chapter made me stop in my tracks this morning. She mentions that all the sorrow and trouble of this world is caused by unhappy people. On a universal scale as well as on a personal one, I find that to be true. Pursuing your own happiness can be a great gift to others.... if you are not draining others with your problems and depression, you are of more use. It may sound simplistic, but I feel my best goals involve adding more love and peace to the world. And I from my own life experience, I KNOW I am a better mom and teacher when I am happy!
"The search for contentment is therefore, not merely a self-preserving and self-benefiting act, but also a generous gift to the world." Couldn't agree more. Ok, so you have to be selfish to be self-less. OR... if momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

Thanks for enduring my rant.
I can't wait to read her next book now that I find myself happily remarried... just like Elizabeth Gilbert! And I'll be in line to see the movie as soon as it comes out!
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Sep 20, 2007 Samantha rated it liked it

I did not hate this book as much as Deanna did. I think that as a 23 year old struggling with who she is and what she wants, this book spoke to me because it's what Gilbert is doing. However, if I thought too much about how she was doing it (on an advance from her publisher) I kind of got upset. She didn't have to worry about money or anything really, she just had to focus on herself. And while I would love that luxury, I can't take it. There is no way I can take the time to just work on myself ...more

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Aug 21, 2007 Stephanie rated it it was ok

I really liked the Italy section, and enjoyed the India section, but really kind of hated the Indonesia section. I was disappointed that after all of her spiritual voyages, her way to balance is to find a new man and get sexed up all over the place. (Not that I begrudge her, but the end of the book felt like a romance novel, and blarg.)

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