Eat, Pray, Love
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puke hate rage
message 101:
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Lauren
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rated it 2 stars
Jul 31, 2011 06:26AM
Couldn't have said it better myself.
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Genia wrote: "I don't resent her ability to travel the world for a year. If I were inclined to abandon my current commitments, and really wanted to make the same thing happen, I probably could have wrangled it f..."Couldn't have said it better myself. 9still getting the hang of this)
I really liked this book. I tried to read her next one on marriage and couldn't even finish it and had no interest in trying.
for me, the writing was great.... but the plot (i don't know if it is really based on her life) was good but came out crappy in the end. there was no UMPFT! like a kick in the gut. it's not also cathartic. Lizzy just became a pathetic woman.
It's one of the books i com[pletely disagree to become movies. because it is completely textual.. more of stream of consciousness, more of dialogues and monologues.... making it a film will just bore the audiences...
It's one of the books i com[pletely disagree to become movies. because it is completely textual.. more of stream of consciousness, more of dialogues and monologues.... making it a film will just bore the audiences...
I loved this book. I read it three times. I understand that everyone likes different things, but I can't understand what about this book brings out the hatred in so many people. Why all the statements about it being self-indulgent. She never presented it as anything else. It's about her and some important things that she went through. Is this really the first book written about the author's self and their experiences?
I understand that not everyone would love this book, but I don't understand why it brings out so many strong negative emotions. If I don't like a book, I don't read it. I move on to something I do like. Why is this book so different?
Because the mass media and her pulblishers proceded to dupe the masses about the book. That's why!! They were talking like people could use this in thier life. Eat Pray and Love guide!!!
Gilbert should learn from certain non-fiction writers on how to inspire readers without being self-pitiful and self-centered. Her writing style may attract many (perhaps entertain as well), but without sincerity, her experiences regarding spirituality may appear somewhat superficial. It lacks depth and power.As the reader, it was certainly a painful experience to go through. I absolutely hated this book right to the core and had to force myself to finish it.
Hedda wrote: "I guess, well, yes, I think it is that bad. Some one gave it to me to read in order to heal myself after my long term relationship failed. The more I read the more puked, hated and raged, instead o..."Sorry it didn't help Helen. I didn't read it for that reason; I read it for the enjoyment factor. Although I think she really did whine about her hubby and especially about David a bit much.
I wouldn't call it a "bad" book, but I certainly don't relate to all of the hype surrounding it. The truth is, I read the first half and then never picked it up again. Enjoyed the movie much more (rare).
Hilarious! I thought I was the only one who hated it!
I listened to the book rather than reading it. I highly enjoyed it. Maybe because it was the actual author who read the book or maybe because I could understand how the different language in book was supposed to be said. But I think if I were to have read it I don't think I would have enjoyed it nearly as much as I enjoyed listening to it
I agree! My grandmother gave it to me to read, saying it was too boring for her. Well guess what =_= I am going nowhere near the movie of this.
I also agree. A slow reading bad book.
Normally I don't care to dwell on the negative and avoid such discussions. I feel if you didn't like a book, just move on to one that you do. But I hated this book at a visceral level. I didn't even read through the whole thing, I had to skip to the end for my book club. I agree with other comments that this was a self-indulgent whine fest from an entitled brat of a woman. I found no redeeming qualities whatsoever. The title of this thread sums it up beautifully.
Pamela wrote: "I loved this book. I read it three times. I understand that everyone likes different things, but I can't understand what about this book brings out the hatred in so many people. Why all the stateme..."I totally agree! Im dumbfounded by the huge amount of resentment this is bringing out in people. I thought it was a lovely book and she made me feel like I saw some of the beauty that she saw throughout her travels. I hated the film and I thought the fact that they picked Julia Roberts as the lead character would just add fuel to the (self indulgent) fire. I thought they completely missed the point with the film and skimmed over some of the most important parts of the book.
I love this thread!!! Stupid, stupid book. It drives me mad when people gush over drivel.
Melaina wrote: "Personally, I am not a fan of this book either. Some of her travel tales are interesting and entertaining, but really, the place this book has taken among others, other women, who think there is so..."I couldn't agree more.
It should be titled "A selfish woman's journey through self indulgence."
Seriously, is the first woman ever to go through a divorce with a desire to simply escape for a while?
I hated this book with the fire of a thousand suns.
I hate it it made me wanna sleep and I GOT TO page 59 and I couldn't go through with it the story is not a new one and as for the movie I didn't see it cause who will torture himself ?!!
I tried to read cause of the reviews I wanted to throw it on page 20 .... I don't understand why People like that ??
This book is whinny. I have never wanted to smack a want to be heroin so badly. Not a fun read. She tries to hard. Sold millions though. Great marketing.
Hedda wrote: "This book should be used to equalize unstable tables."I hated this book! And the movie was just as BAD!!!!
The beginning of the book bothered me. I think what stood out most was her not knowing how to deal with not wanting a baby. After all, we may not have a choice about not being able to have one, when that's the case, but we (developed world women) always have the choice not to have one. The fact that it caused her so much torment to decide against a child she didn't want made me a little put out with her. (In a world of nearly 7 billion, this shouldn't be that hard a decision.) But then the whole book was about learning to know herself better, and it's obvious right there that she needed some help with that.I enjoyed reading about her journey, but I'm still left wondering why the book is soooo popular. Then again I've been a soul searcher from the time I was very young, and I know not everyone starts out there. Reading a book like this could very well open a lot of people up to that journey I seem to have begun as a child - questioning everything (and driving people around me crazy while doing so).
But I'm still looking forward to seeing the movie.
I praise Gilbert for writing this book. It made me reflect in my own life and the choices I made along the way. Being true to oneself not adhering to the daily grind of what the majority does. Balance and happiness was lacking for her. When she sought it out unfortunately, it resulted in a divorce but in the long run it was for the best. Just because everyone is having babies, getting married and living above their means doesn't make it right for everyone. Gilbert realize her life was not what she wanted and sought a way to get her life in order and live her life as she saw fit without seeking approval from what society deems the norm!!!!
I happened to like this book and her book 'Committed'. This isn't fiction. Of course it is self absorbed it is after all about HER journey of self discovery and her road by to health after depression and a mental breakdown. I would love to do the Italy and India parts of the trip myself but I think I would substitute Peru for Bali since Bali doesn't appeal to me much at all.
JMO.
I have always called this book "Eat, Pray, Puke" because that's what it made me want to do. The story was less about epiphanies along the journey than it was about her desperation and loneliness. She goes to supposedly find herself, which would be hard to do when running straight into the arms of yet another man. No wonder her latest book was about the one she finally found. Self-absorbed and needy.
I finished this book against my own wishes. It is totally unrealistic and self centered garbage. A woman should be strong. You do not see the man in this book going to a self awareness crisis. Give me a break. Where is the wobbly table??
It was an ok book it had deeper meaning but if you don't want to do that I advise you to just read the eat section which is the best
This book was simply reflective of a modern colonialism that really disgusts me. I tried to read it and couldn't finish--it was one of those books that pretended to be "deep" while playing all possible trite cards at once. An entitled and elite woman decides she wants to "find herself" and travels. By picking up "appetizers" of each culture she visits (to continue the food metaphor), she thinks she can find some sort of "fullness," as if simply sampling very deep and complex cultures will give her some sort of completion. Give me a break. This volume is loaded with stereotypes of women as superfluous and indigenous cultures as "noble savages." Seriously awful, even possibly dangerous, book, for encouraging women to participate in a culture in a way which demeans themselves and other marginalized peoples. Simply horrible. I wouldn't even buy it to hold a table up--no way I'd give the author the endorsement of the royalties from the purchase.
I did not like this book at all. I had a really hard time finishing. I also know another lady who had the same trouble as I did.
I hated every word and I couldn't read more than 50 pages before i realized that NOTHING worth the torture of reading that book !
I think I'm going to reread this, after reading all the comments here. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and the movie, and never had any of the negative thoughts shared here. I totally related to her quest. Seeing the world and encountering different cultures is one spiritual path. She never said it was the only one.
I really like the book and thought it was well worth my time. I enjoyed the messages and really took my time reading it. I agree with the comment Happiness is in all of us. Balance is in all of us and that we need different experiences at different times. Sometimes we worry about things that are not worth our time. We need to enjoy the life we have no matter how much it does not go well at times. Just enjoying the time we have on this earth and realize what a precious gift it is.
I guess I read a book for enjoyment and if I get a little insight from it great. I thought it was a good book but I also know it was written to sell books. I just thought it was an interesting read but I also know that everyone has problems and that no book can solve them all. Just being able to escape for a few minutes or hours a day can really help relieve stress in one's life.
Hedda wrote: "This book should be used to equalize unstable tables."I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels this way. I couldn't even finish this book or the movie for that matter...
Book was ok....movie was the worst!
I enjoyed the Italy part of the trip because the author put on weight there. Then it took me a year to finish this piece of self-indulgent crap. Her constantly telling her readers that she's cute and attractive made me think she had to convince herself of this fact. Most women going through a divorce don't have the time or money to travel, so I'm not sure how this was supposed to be inspirational.
I created a new book shelf just for this book called: "Books I Hate."
I hated this book as well. I read it awhile ago so if I say something that is not totally correct, forgive me.Buttt we have a woman, nice life, nice stuff, nice hubby..."LET'S RUIN IT ALL BY BEING SELFISH!!!!"
And that was that. I would have to go grab a copy to further back myself up but that was the main point why I did not like it.
Pamela wrote: "Steven wrote: "What a sad book. Amateurish writing ability combined with loads of self-involvement. Shallow and pointless."
I have to agree with you Steven. By the end of the book I was so tire..."
The movie is not any better. In fact it might be a little worse.
I honestly think this book sucks. I'm joining to the puke hate rage chain :o)I mean, c'mon, this book only shows how narcissistic and egocentric Gilbert is.
I read in the cover that it was a travel through a woman's spirituality, but the truth is that it's a travel through her immense need of being admired by everybody.
She could have wrote more interesting things about her trip and about her supposed "spirituality", but I had the feeling that it was mostly about how much she needed to get laid and look cool to the others, haha.
Sofia wrote: "I honestly think this book sucks. I'm joining to the puke hate rage chain :o)I mean, c'mon, this book only shows how narcissistic and egocentric Gilbert is.
I read in the cover that it was a..."< o/i>
I wholeheartedly agree with you, Sofia. To each his (or her) own, I suppose. I was just so sick of her by the end. I'm surprised I even finished it.
Haha! Just been reading all these discussions. So glad I'm not the only person who thought it was boring & self-centred. No 'real' adventures, no raunchiness - I so wanted some spice to liven it up. As I've mentioned in my review,it was given to me by a friend to 'help me heal' after a relationship breakup - what it did do was encouraged me to write my own book - which is far more adventurous, funny & sexy than any page in 'Eat, Pray, Love'!Interested in reading mine? See below:
'Keep It In Yor Knickers'
I found my people! Good gawd I hated this book. I listened to it on CD with the author as narrator. Perhaps that made the experience worse? Either way she lost me when she didn't care about seeing Italy's landmarks and just wanted to eat. You go halfway across the world and you don't care about seeing the Coliseum 'cause you'd rather eat pasta? I found myself wishing her driven and culturally-interested sister had written the book.
I too am kind of surprised at the vitriol expressed in some comments here. Sheesh, it's just a book, not a foreign policy or weight loss program. I don't get the anger. My cell phone user's manual is awful, but it didn't get ratings like this. I actually listened to the audio book. In places I teared up, in others I laughed out loud. The story seems a bit self absorbed, but well...it's a memoir. I wish I could put that list bit in italics because then the "well duh" would be implied. No one called Frey's "A Million Little Pieces" self absorbed; however, eventually, everyone did call it a pack of lies. Don't all memoirs read this way? And no one has come out to say that Gilbert's story wasn't true.
My only gig was the ending. A little trite and sudden, I thought, but other than that, it was worth my time.
Mike
Shade Tree Writings
I again with Leslie. It wasn't a life changer, but it was interesting. I didn't really like the beginning, but it got better as it went along. Do I agree with everything she said or discovered? Of course, not. Did she say something things that were insightful? Sure. Does it really matter my opinion? Not really because it's an account of what happened to HER. Not me. But I can definitely understand both sides.
I thought this book was very self indulgent and shallow. It didn't really have a message or particularly interesting storyline.
In numerous ways this book is just a bunch of self indulgent facebook status updates, “look at me I’m interesting” tweets, and "slice of life" blogging we have all become so accustomed to over the years. Because this was a BOOK I was actually expecting a real soul searching literary experience. Instead it was a bunch of antidotal self centered stories and a lot of whining. There were some moments of cleverly penned insights but they were few and far between. But I would recommend this book with the advice if you find yourself losing interest SPEED READ.
I liked it. It wasn't the most amazing thing I've read, but I liked it.
Mike wrote: "I too am kind of surprised at the vitriol expressed in some comments here. Sheesh, it's just a book, not a foreign policy or weight loss program. I don't get the anger. My cell phone user's manual is awful, but it didn't get ratings like this."I know, I don't get people getting so p*ssed when they don't like a book. I haven't liked anything I've read by Jodi Picoult, but I'm not yelling about in all caps. I don't get the anger, either. :)
