Eat pray love

[Realguy321]

Very good read. Subject matter of the 3 section sof the books was surreal at times but still interesting throughout.

[Cheryl S.]

I loved the cultural info, insights into meditation--which I know nothing about--and want recipes for the Italian cusine, but she just cries too much.

[Lily Anne]

Agreed. Fascinating concept - self-exploration through these three facets - but I found the author's writing to be horribly self-indulgent. Toward the end, I didn't really care very much whether she found true happiness and peace or not.

[Maureen]

I felt the opposite. I have not meditated in a long time and feel like I should get back into that mode, less talking more thinking. I liked her journey and I didn't think it was self indulgent or that she cried too much. I felt like she was showing you how she became a stronger person after making such a big change in her life that she had expell all of the negativity and be satisfied with who she was in all ways, not just a positive way. I am a nerd and actually took notes because I was so inspired. I am also a person who has issues with depression so it was interesting to me to read how she got through the first part of her journey without medication, not an easy task.

[Megan]

I also felt very inspired by the fact that in the midst of an incredible change in her life - one that could have been negative for a long time - she didn't just treat herself to the traditional tropical vacation, but treated herself to self improvement and growth in areas that she loved and felt passionate about. The section on Italy made me want to eat way too much, but overall, I was so impressed by her ability to stick to her desire to grow, and not get sidetracked by the fringe benefits of the countries and just become a tourist.

[Barbara]

She just has too many issues for me and they are all self centered, thank heavens most of the people in the world are not like her or it would be a very sad place to live. I just want to yell, go out and do something for someone else, you will feel better about yourself.
I really resent when people write a book, when they really should be sitting down with a councilor working out their problems.

[Christine]

I'm so glad to read your comments! I was beginning to feel like I was the only one in the world who thought this book was awful. I have rarely come across such an unsympathetic protagonist(and I've read Iris Murdoch's entire canon!!)

[Barbara]

Glad you joined the group, it does make me feel better to feel you are not alone.

[Wanda]

I and several of my friends felt the same way about the book. You are not alone.

[Deb]

I am presently reading this book and I am finding that I am dragging myself through it. So many questions...it seems that the Ashram she stayed at in India was supposed to be difficult to attend. Yet she was there with relatively little difficulty. Was she recommended by her friend/lover David? Was she able to use her "press pass"? Would I be able to just say, "I want a guru" and get one? Very simplistic. And I, too, think she is too self indulgent and whiny. I will try to finish it, but my impression is that it doesn't get any better...

[Jaya]

I agree with you!!
Struggling with it for the last 2 weeks:-(

[Ella]

My mom read this

[amanda]

i could not agree more. i could barely make it through the last third of the book.

[Barbara]

Glad to have the company. Barbara

[Anne]

Deb and Mimi....just read your comments about this book and couldn't agree with you more!! I finished the book about 5 minutes ago (and only because I am compulsive about finishing books that I start) and would not recommend it. I didn't think her life was any more "difficult" than any one else's (she actually comes across as rather spoiled and self-indulgent) and thought many of her experiences while traveling a little on the unbelievable side. Throughout the whole thing I just kept thinking "get over it already".

Okay, I feel better now.

[Jori]

I totally agree w/ the self-indulgent etc, but also appreciate the author's honesty about her faults. She certainly doesn't try to make herself more likeable or less selfish (or am I giving her the benefit of the doubt that she's totally aware of how she sounds?)! While I didn't exactly find myself wishing I could be her friend, it is refreshing to read an account of someone wanting and seeking God and stumbling on her own stuff all the way. Her life doesn't need to be more difficult or impoverished or whatever than anyone else's in order to be a valid journey-- but I'm left pretty ambivalent. Read it or not, you might find somethin in it, or not.

[Gabriella]

i'm presently reading.
what's wrong with some self-indulgence? it is a book about self-discovery. isn't the purpose of italy pleasure?

[Katie]

I enjoyed the book for what it was - one woman's account of her "search for everything". I could relate to some of her challenges and was impressed with the depth of her honesty when it came to the personal stuff. I think it's inevitable to be self-indulgent when you're searching for your self and I think she did it with good humor. Obviously she cried too much which was part of the reason she took the journey in the first place. Crying is a symptom of depression which she bravely discussed.

[Abbi]

I have to agree with several of the commenters here and say that I found it self-indulgent and whiny (the perfect words to describe it). I did enjoy the random bit of information (such as the naming customs on Bali), but for the most part I was rolling my eyes.

I think my main problem with it is that I have read books before where the author did take a spiritual and physical journey, but did not come across as self-absorbed as this author. I will say that every once in a while I think she had a good point, but for the most part I was tired of hearing about her crying constantly after the first few chapters.

I also think this book would not be encouraging to someone with depression, because it doesn't discuss much counseling (if any) and looks down its nose at taking what I believe she called "mood-altering drugs". The average person with depression is not going to get a bunch of money in order to travel the world in a year, or to spend months meditating and attempting to find their spiritual center. As a self-help book, I found it unhelpful, and as a travel book, I found it ridiculous.

[Anne]

Abbi...finally the voice of reason LOL. You articulated perfectly how I felt about this book (though it appears we are in the minority). I was also discouraged about her attitude toward depression and medication. As someone who works with individuals who benefit greatly from "mood-altering drugs" and a therapeutic environment, I found her comments in this area overly simplistic and grossly misinformed.

[Abbi]

Angel - my roommate bought the book because she thought it was about a woman, you know, traveling. Unfortunately it was more full of her self-absorbed navel-gazing than anything, and after about 30 pages she handed it to me (as the faster reader) and told me to mark down any decent chapters. I think I marked 4, which were mostly about Bali culture.

I think I'm just very surprised that this was a best-selling book, as the writing was not lush enough to make the content bearable and vice versa.

And regarding depression and medication, I sincerely hope that people do not take her thoughts to heart when they truly need couseling and possibly medication, as her solutions seem to boil down to "eat, medidate, and have sex with a Brazilian man".

[Ginnie]

Wow - people get really pissed off about this book! :-) I really enjoyed reading everyone's comments about the book and I think everyone has valid points, depending on how you approached the book. I just took it for what it was - ONE woman's search. It's just her story. We don't have to or need to relate with her when reading it. I think some may have just expected this book to make them feel enlightened spiritually. It's not a self-help book and it's not some holy, spiritual "join me now" book. It's just a woman telling her story and sharing her feelings.

If you recall the Oprah episode, the message by no means was "spend thousands of dollars on a trip to see a Guru" Women on the show shared how they can have their own "eat pray love" at home in the other room, 30 mins to themselves. That's the point, not to drop your life and travel to far east countries. I don't have any means to travel the way she did in the book, but I now always make sure to spend some time to myself and enjoy the little things in life.

Lots of people go through life not ever finding or searching for whatever it is that truly makes them happy. The author did and I think it's great that it's as simple as good food, travel and sex!! Life should be that simple! :-)

[[deleted user]]

Am I the only one who is completely bored by this book? I'm on page 53 and I just can't take it anymore.

[Linda]

Ginnie,
I'm with you. Interesting to read other people's comments. I don't feel this is a spiritual book, just a year in one woman's life, granted an exotic year. I felt the book left a lot of unanswered questions. I wasn't sure what she was running away from or even how she got her groove back. Still, her humor and journalistic writing were good and whatever a reader can glean from a book makes it worthwhile.

[Ginnie]

Apparently, she is working on a sequel to this book and will maybe cover some of those unanswered questions. I think it's supposed to be about more travel, her Brazilian lover and how they ended up in Northern NJ (all that traveling and this is where they end up, huh! ;-) I am not 100% sure if I am going to pick up her 2nd book. I was "satisfied" with how the book ended and not sure if I care to read more about her life, lol! I will get super jealous of all her traveling!

As for what she was running away from....I don't really know either, I couldn't tell you in 1 or 2 sentences but I think that might be the point. She SHOULD have been happy right? Grateful for all the things she had. But she wasn't...And I think that happens a lot more with people than we think.

The book I am reading now states we cannot seek happiness. If we do, we fail. We can only change our situation that will give us happiness. I think essentially that's what she did.

[Linda]

Ginnie,

I did see her on Oprah. She said she's working on a book about marriage and showed the audience a box of index cards. Interesting to see how that comes out. It's a tough act to follow a book that has taken off like Eat,Pray,Love. The author is very engaging and writes well. Just not sure if lightning can struck twice, on a topic, marriage, that even she admits to as not being her strong point.

[Cindy]

I actually haven't read this book, but I decided not to when I saw the author on Oprah. After reading your comment, I am more convinced to NOT read it. I completely agree with you that people should serve one another, and seek professional help when needed.

[Jen]

I read this book for a local book club a few months ago and was incredibly surprised at the differences in reactions -- for that reason, I'd say it is a good book club book. I enjoyed Italy, but beyond that I've got to agree with the comments here about self-indulgence and the general flakiness of the author. One of its redeeming qualities though, is its candidness. There are moments when you almost feel embarrassed at how bare her writing is. I wouldn't ever read it again, but I wouldn't discourage anyone else from picking it up.

[Kai]

It was a good book, can't wait for the sequel.
Really makes me wanna go to Italy

[Mary]

I'm surprised by all of the comments about people who hated this book. Of course it was self-indulgent that was the whole point. That you are important enough to take the time to find out what's important in life. To not go ahead and continue on your same day to day just because that's what's expected of you. And she has every right to write a book on her trip even if Oprah funded it. At no point did she make a comment about money being an issue. In fact she stated in her book that the money from her publisher made the whole journey possible. I clearly don't think she wanted everyone in the world to go visit these countries because she did, she wrote about her own experience of self-exploration.

[Shawna]

I am so glad I am not alone in my dislike of this book- I've been the lone voice in my office full of people who loved it. Anyone who has spent any real time trying to find themselves would put this down in disgust.

[Rebecca]

I also listened to the audio version--I agree that the author's tone probably put a spin on the words that made her reflection on her journey seem less unrelentingly whiny than the written word. Besides, isn't depression, self-exploration, and personal journey self-indulgent by nature? I thought it was an enjoyable read/listen, but I have also had moments in my life where I knew I "should" be happy and wasn't.

[Nicole]

I have to agree with many of you in the sense that Gilbert's self-pitying irritated the heck out of me at many points in the book. I guess I chose to overlook this aspect, though, in favor of how nicely I thought she balanced self-help psychology and beautiful eastern philosophy to arrive at greater peace with herself. I don't think I'd want her as a friend, but I think I gained something from reading this book.

[[deleted user]]

oh my, I thought I was alone on feeling that she was a bit much. I enjoyed parts of it, and was with her to a point, but I didn't even finish the book, and for the life of me can not understand the brouhaha that has since ensued.

[Chrissy]

I completely adored this piece!
I lost myself completely in her vivid storytelling. I've read many buddhist texts, and taken meditation classes, so the subject matter was right down my alley. At the time of reading this, I was also in the midst of a seperation with my partner of 5 years, so maybe my personal experiences lead me to enjoy the book more so...
Gilbert's descriptive writing is so good though! Having traveled all over Italy myself, I could see everything she spoke of. So it was like candy running around in my mind, such delight! I could see the piazzas she spoke of, and recalled the gelatarias in Rome!
I just thoroughly enjoyed this story of a woman who is so completely broken yet so strong travel on a journey into the unknown to recenter and heal herself.. so dreamy! Who wouldn't want to drop everything and head out to Italy, India, and Bali for a year to find peace... sign me up!!!

[Mandie]

MiMi & Deb, she was very up-front in the book about the fact she got an advance on the book before taking the trip (which allowed her to take it). As for the Ashram, she described what it takes to get in and, I would assume, she went through the steps to do so.

The book was an easy read, and provided a lot of food-for-thought. I was right with her, endeared by Italy, and exhausted by India. I, too took notes. By the time she was in Indonesia, I was ready to have a vacation and be DONE with the book. But I stuck it out. The last third was definitely not as gripping as the first two, but I'm glad I read it all.

[Matt]

I read this book and enjoyed it, for the most part. As one of only two guys that appeared to have read this, I actually found I could relate quite well to her situation. I am currently going through exactly what she and her ex went through, and it is nice to see that there can be happiness after so much depression. While I don't have the funding to travel as she did, the book offers hope for those in similar situations. Many people who review this book negatively may not be able to relate. This is a memoir, a story of how she handled her situation...it is not a "How To" for others. Self-indulgent? Yes, but that is what it was supposed to be. As for content, I could have done without the Bali section. Although her comments on the culture were interesting, I felt she had already found her place and happiness in life and could have done without the Bali trip. But then, she would have never known this had she not traveled there. I would recommend this book to others in similar situations, but for those who have not experienced similar misery, or are on the other side of the equation, i.e. her ex's, they just won't get it.

[Devora]

All I know about Gilbert is what I read in her book. (Quit watching Oprah before she gave away cars.) What I saw was a young woman trying to figure out what sort of person she wanted to be in the world. When she realized she had already committed herself to something she didn't want, she had to muster the courage to be honest about it. Especially before she added a baby into the equation. Then she embarked on her own "hero's journey" to reclaim herself. I'll bet most of her readers wouldn't have the guts to take off by themselves on such an adventure even if they had the money given to them. However, they seem to find it easy to criticize her tears and fears from the safety of predictable lives. Personally, I'd jump at the chance to do what she did. I love Italy, have done lots of yoga and meditation, like walking on the beach. After 25 years of marriage and raising 2 kids, I could use the break. I'm not sorry about my choices, but I crave a little autonomous unpredictability. The truth is, we all have to do the work of finding our true selves over and over again as we evolve. It takes grit and grace to go the distance. It takes courage to be honest about it.

[Yaya]

I still am reading it. But I love every minute of the author's journey..

Read it, the book is soooo good. :) Usually I tend to be a quick reader, just to read the story without trying to really grasp the meaning of the story itself.

For this book, I really am taking time to read it. Every each page has its own meaning, so it's not a book that I can read quickly...


My heart is really touched by these parts:

People think a soul mate is your perfect fit, and that's what everyone wants. But a true soul mate is a mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life