Eat, Pray, Love
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puke hate rage
message 151:
by
Carolyn
(new)
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rated it 1 star
Dec 24, 2011 08:09AM
I'm so thankful I belong to a book club where people are free to express their honest opinions about books without being judged by others. :)
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Not a real big fan of the book and the movie was terrible....what a waste of a Julie Roberts movie..if it wasnt for the scenery I was ready to walk out. Very boring!
Carolyn wrote: "I'm so thankful I belong to a book club where people are free to express their honest opinions about books without being judged by others. :)"you belong to a country which allows you to do that just what you and all the others have done ..still a horrible book.
I really wanted to like the book but I just didn't. I really didn't enjoy the book. I thought that the author came off as self important and condescending. She sure thought a lot of herself! That's just my personal opinion, though.
oh, I liked itI didn't go too much into it or over think anything.
I was just reading some woman's stories.
I thought she was funny and I enjoyed reading about her travels.
It wasn't THAT bad. There is much worst literature out there that I can't fathom why it became popular.
But this book
though I don't find it to be fantastic and a favorite book.
I enjoyed it, it was a fun read.
Sheri wrote: you belong to a country which allows..."
I'm well aware of that, Sheri, and I agree it was a horrible book (which is why I rated it 1 star). My point is people can disagree about a book without making suppositions about other readers or their different reactions to it.
Happy New Year, all.
I had heard so much hype...the good, bad, and the ugly!...about this book that it put me off reading it for some time - I now know better.Mention of "self indulgent and shallow", "self important and condescending"....um, of course it was self-directed...do you people forget that it was a memoir.
For me it was an enjoyable story about a womans journey across the globe, emotionally as well...not a revolutionary read...but definitely not to be condemned and burnt on a stake.
Mike, your response is very funny. I laughed at myself when I read your post. I am one of the haters and I can't say why it caused such a reaction in me, but I think anytime people are talking this passionately about a book, it's a good thing. Maybe the haters are responding to the koolaid drinkers who treat this book as some kind of bible, not unlike a generation ago with The Fountainhead (also a poorly written book, but was at least an interesting political commentary). I totally own my own over-the-top response and actually find it all very humorous. Thanks for your good humor, too.
Judging by the other comments here, I'm not saying anything new, but what really put me off was that the author wrote it like she thought she was being so clever. She wasn't. The book was self-indulgent, the prose was sophomoric, and the story was predictable. My expectations might have been too high because my best friend described it as a "beautiful, beautiful" book that I had to read because I love to travel.Was it the worst book in the world? No. Do I think less of people who loved it? No. Would I recommend it to anyone? Probably not.
Okay okay, it's not Shakespeare or Hemingway, but it's not trash either. It was a expose of one woman's life. It was definitely light hearted when it came to Italy, and somewhat self-indulgent when it came to India, and Bali I didn't care for because the Philipe character turned my stomach. However, all in all an okay read. The tragedy for me is that after reading "Eat Pray Love", I was not compelled to read any more novels from Elizabeth Gilbert.
Hedda wrote: "Thanks Toni. I thought I was the lone woman in my feelings about the book. "No you are definately not alone in your feelings about this book. My Mom and I called it eat, barf, sleep. I will say though, after reading the book I watched the movie. I like the movie more everytime I see it. It is good unlike the book.
I am very lax and easy with my 4 and 5 star reviews. I find every book has merit and wonder. This book however left me annoyed and irritated. Not angry, just sighed a lot at her lack of insight.
What makes it worse actually is that it is a memoir. I've read several memoirs and they are never that self-absorbed. Even Bush's trite crap was not as trite as this. I expected much and got little for my time.
But, loved the movie. Julia Roberts turned it all around. :)
What makes it worse actually is that it is a memoir. I've read several memoirs and they are never that self-absorbed. Even Bush's trite crap was not as trite as this. I expected much and got little for my time.
But, loved the movie. Julia Roberts turned it all around. :)
Toni wrote: "Well said Melaina...After reading this book I did some research about the author's background and WOW not surprised at all finding she had received an advance to write this story. Only someone wi..."
Agree with you completely here! Loved the food in Italy, Indonasia was whatever, and India was TERRIBLE OMG I GOD I DON'T EVEN.
LOL.
I agree that there was nothing "spiritual" about this book, just an account of a woman's travels. As far as I know, the author never claimed that it's a "self-help" or "religious" book. I found it to be entertaining, perfect for reading on the beach during my summer holidays. I especially liked the last part, because it reminded me of my trip to Thailand. I really can't understand why some readers hate this book with such passion. I guess that some of them maybe (just maybe) deep down are a little bit jealous of the fact that Gilbert got to have a free trip around the world? God knows I was!
yes, Nana you put your finger on it. Jealously. I don't think the book was supposed to give anyone spiritual enlightenment of any kind either. I'm just amazed at how many people hated this book.
Sorry Guyss!! At least for me, I was not jealous, I just felt duped by all the pres stating how wonderful this book was. I don't believe that she did all she states in her book!!! I believe she may of went to the countries but I dought it!! She was paid an advance to come up with a book and I think she made the whole thing up or at least parts of it. I congratulate her on the deception; for she is definitely laughing all the way to the bank!!! I believe this is why people dislike the book heatedly. They feel duped!!! :(
I actually loved the book & I wonder If it was because of the stage of life I was in. I was on a plane coming home from leaving an abusive husband and bought this book in the airport. I cannot explain what it did for me- it helped me feel not alone in what I was going through. I'm sorry it wasn't that way for you guys but I think you shouldn't demean it !
Nick wrote: "yes, Nana you put your finger on it. Jealously... ."For me, this supposition brings to mind an image of a pouty little kid stomping their feet in frustration, whining, "It's NOT stupid, you're just jealous!" ;)
If readers liked the book and it inspired them, that's perfectly valid, because it's THIER experience. And if other readers didn't like the book because it fell way short of their expectations (and all the hype), or it just didn't appeal to them, their opinions are just as valid.
This makes me laugh. If you liked it, good for YOU.For us that didn't, we're entitled to feel that way - not jealous.
Move along.
Magda wrote: "This makes me laugh. If you liked it, good for YOU.For us that didn't, we're entitled to feel that way - not jealous.
Move along."
I'm sorry Magda, but are you the monitor of this discussion? If not, then I'm sorry but you don't have the right to tell anyone to move along.
Charlene wrote: "Sorry Guyss!! At least for me, I was not jealous, I just felt duped by all the pres stating how wonderful this book was. I don't believe that she did all she states in her book!!! I believe she m..."I agree that she probably didn't do all the things she mentioned in her book, I'm sure she must have changed lots of stuff and propably made some up. And it's true that she made lots of money from the book. But this does not explain why so many people hate her so much. She never forced anyone to buy her book. I paid good money to buy Water For Elephants and I hated it, but I don't blame the author. I blame myself for falling for the hype.
Nevertheless, I respect the opinion of all the people who didn't like the book for whatever reasons, as I expect them to respect mine. Besides, I have my own reasons for liking the book that have to do with my love for travel and adventure.
Leslie wrote: "I agree with Karencilla--I don't think the author thought she could heal people with her book. I notice a lot of people have a strong negative reaction to this book and I'm not sure why. Unrealis..."I've noticed this too, and while it's not a favorite book of mine, I got a lot out of parts of it. The parts I didn't like I sped through and forgot. But I have trouble understanding why there's so much negative reaction to the book. If you don't like a book, you don't have to finish it. Why keep reading long enough to find yourself raging about it?
Having seen the film, I would not bother with the book! Film was a standard American made for tv type. Perhaps more for girls than women.....
Nana wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Sorry Guyss!! At least for me, I was not jealous, I just felt duped by all the pres stating how wonderful this book was. I don't believe that she did all she states in her book!!!..."Just the fact that you agree with me and slao think this book has fabrication in it makes everything Gilbert tries to sell about her experience bogus and invalidates everything!! That Opera and the publishers hyped it up and marketed as the next best thing since sliced bread is insulting at best and infuriating at worst!! Can't you see why people who disliked the book would feel irritation about it!!!! :(((
Charlene wrote: "Nana wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Sorry Guyss!! At least for me, I was not jealous, I just felt duped by all the pres stating how wonderful this book was. I don't believe that she did all she states i..."Charlene, I see your point, but let me ask you this. Do you think all autobiographies/memoirs contain only the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? Do you think that movies with historical characters (i.e. Alexander The Great, William Wallace aka Braveheart, John Nash aka A beautiful Mind etc) portray their characters EXACTLY as they were in real life? Personally, I don't. I think that 90% is fiction, but you don't hear me complaining about it. My point is, even though I know that Gilbert changed some things, I do not care. I would be naive to expect that she wouldn't embellish some facts or omit others to make her story more amusing. I don't care what Oprah and the press said, I'm not a fan of American media anyway. I enjoyed the book because it was entertaining and because it reminded me of my own traveling experiences. I read the book as fiction based loosely on real facts, and that is how I treat all autobiographies/memoirs. If I want to read something real, I read history or science books, and if I want to go even deeper, I read several books on the same subject, and even then I do not believe EVERYTHING I read. And let me also ask you this: Is there any evidence that she lied, and to what extend? Can you or anyone else that has read the book tell which parts are fabricated and which aren't? Gilbert wrote about her own personal experience, in her own point of view. She did not distort historical facts, and, as far as I know, she did not make EVERYTHING up (see A Million Little Pieces). (P.S. Please forgive any mistakes, English is not my first language.)
Only finished this because I had to lead a discussion on it, and I'm pleased to say that NOBODY in my group liked it. But I hated it with a purple passion and find it utterly depressing that it is so popular. I just wanted to shake this self-involved, whiny, hysterical woman. Would love to read the ex-husband's version.
Nana wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Nana wrote: "Charlene wrote: "Sorry Guyss!! At least for me, I was not jealous, I just felt duped by all the pres stating how wonderful this book was. I don't believe that she did..."Sorry if. The book is listed as nonfiction I expect it to be an accurate acounting of facts. If info is left out I don't consider that to be a lie. Just not giving all the facts. Gilbert I believed lied embellished the fact because she got an advance and had to come up with a plausible book. Unfortunately it was a self indulgent pity party, extremely boring and if it was not widely advertised I believe my book club never would of picked the book In the first place. 2 people were unable to finish the book and the other 5 hated it immensely. Again not only did I hate this book but I hated feeling duped by all the false pulblisity. And I have to say I find more people disappointed in the book than people who liked it. Just my observation.
If you hated the book because you thought it was boring and a self indulgent pity party, I will not argue with that. This is a matter of taste, and of course not every book is everyone's cup of tea. For instance, I thought that The Catcher In the Rye was definitely a self indulgent pity party and extremely boring, although many people consider it to be a classic. And I also hated other books that other people loved, like Water For Elephants. So in no case shall I ever try to convince anyone that they are wrong and that I'm right in liking/disliking a book. You have probably noticed that I never claimed that Eat Pray Love is a masterpiece of literature. I didn't even say it was a GOOD book. All I said was I enjoyed the book, just as you sometimes enjoy junk food - you know it's junk but you enjoy it anyway.I don't think that Gilbert is the only author who got an advance, nor is she the only author who got los of money for writing crappy books. (The examples unfortunately are too many to mention.)
And ok, so you got duped by all the "false" publicity. Happened to me many times. Sales people try to convince us to buy crappy products all the time. It's their job, and it's our job to be more picky. But in this case, what exactly was the "false" publicity? For argument's sake, let us assume that Gilbert provides us with irrefutable evidence that things happened exactly as she says in her book. Would that satisfy anyone? Would that make you happy to have read the book? NO, because the fact is that you didn't like the book because you thought it was boring and a self indulgent pity party. So the simple fact is that you bought a book that you thought you would like, and you didn't. When this happens to me, I don't blame the media, I blame myself for being gullible. And that's exactly why I don't buy "best sellers" any more. I get most of my books from the library, and if I don't like them, I return them without reading them. Thankfully nobody ever shoved a book in my face and forced me to read it (well, not since I've finished school anyaway) :)
I pity you for trying to convince me towards your views. At this point this is the last you'll hear of me. I think the book was a waste of my time and I hated it and gave it a 1 star!!! Should of been zero. End of story. Try and convince someone else.
I wrote: "If you hated the book (...)I will not argue with that. This is a matter of taste, and of course not every book is everyone's cup of tea.(...) So in no case shall I ever try to convince anyone that they are wrong and that I'm right in liking/disliking a book."Obviously, someone was not paying attention.
Personally, I pity anyone who uses insult to make a point.
Exactly right Nana, literature like most things is very subjective. Some people love Shakespeare and others take a pass. For example, I don't see the appeal of Nelson DeMille but many like to read him. Anyway, my next read is going to be "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco. So many great books, and so little time. ;)
Nick wrote: "Exactly right Nana, literature like most things is very subjective. Some people love Shakespeare and others take a pass. For example, I don't see the appeal of Nelson DeMille but many like to read ..."Unfortunately "The Name Of The Rose" falls into the categories of books that I've started but was never able to finish. This is not to say that it was a bad book. As far as I remember (it was a very long time ago), it just failed to grab my attention at the time. I plan on giving it another try sooner or later though. Hope you enjoy it!
Nana wrote: "Nick wrote: "Exactly right Nana, literature like most things is very subjective. Some people love Shakespeare and others take a pass. For example, I don't see the appeal of Nelson DeMille but many ..."Having seen the film a few times helps....The Name of the Rose.
Didn't know there was a film. Was the film good? "The Name of the Rose" is supposed to be Eco's best novel.
Well, the reader is always the judge of that.
I vaguely remember watching a film, but it must be a long time ago.
Nana wrote: "I vaguely remember watching a film, but it must be a long time ago."The Name of the Rose (original title, Il nome della rosa) is a 1986 film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, based on the book of the same name by Umberto Eco. Sean Connery is the Franciscan friar William of Baskerville and Christian Slater is his apprentice Adso of Melk, who are called upon to solve a deadly mystery in a medieval abbey
Sharon wrote: "Nana wrote: "I vaguely remember watching a film, but it must be a long time ago."The Name of the Rose (original title, Il nome della rosa) is a 1986 film directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud, based on..."
Christian Slater, wow, yeah, I remember that guy. As a matter of fact I had a teenage crush on him lol. I was just 11 years old when the movie came out, so no wonder I only remember it very vaguely. Thanks for the update Sharon.
Karencilla wrote: "is really that bad?"Yes.
I found Gilbert's journey of self acceptance to be interesting and unique. She allowed herself to say what she dared not say before, and be who she could not be before. However, I felt the ending was abrupt and disconnected to her other themes, people, and relationships. It was as though she abandoned her ideas too early for the romantic interest. I found ending on a romantic affair unfulfilling. She had learned to nourish herself physically emotionally and spiritually just so she could have a romance?
It seemed as though she was escaping her world and didn't learn to cope with the actual situations, life demands, and relationships that drove her to the brink. I suppose I was expecting the hero's journey, and to see her come full circle. Perhaps the book was finished before she had been able to get to that place.
I wanted to see the movie because I love Julia Roberts, but I have to read a book before I see a movie so I was excited to purchase this book and get down to reading it. I was so bored with the book by about page 100 that I could not bring myself to finish this book. It ruined my want to see the movie and it took quite a while for me to actually watch it. The movie was better than the book in only that it didn't last nearly as long.
Actually Katy, it was the movie that drove me to the book. You are not the first person to tell me that they bailed on Eat Pray Love. I hate to bail on a book, because I take it as a little personal failure of sorts. The movie was a little better than the book especially the dialogue from the Richard character. I don't even like Julia Roberts much as all, but I did like the movie.
this book moved me in many ways, I cried and laughed. An absoltely all time favorite that I have shared with many family and friends
Annie wrote: "this book moved me in many ways, I cried and laughed. An absoltely all time favorite that I have shared with many family and friends"Was glad to see the film running on HBO so recorded and look forward to watching again....nice girlie film.
The book was much, much better than the movie-which is to be expected. I didn't dig too deep, or try to find any hidden meaning in what E.Gilbert said, though sometimes, especially at the beginning, I found her to be really pessimistic and suicidal, which brought me down. I loved her traveling to Italy, India, Bali her descriptions and the way she lived life as a native in each place, as I love traveling. All in all, one of my all time faves, her writing was masterful and full of flavours, emotions, scents, a great read!
Yes, I agree with what Marie wrote. I thought it was a good easy read. I didn't find it as preachy as some people did. I really love the Italy part. The character of Richard was much better in the movie, and the part on Bali was much better in the book I think. The character of Philippe made me sick in both the book and the movie. What can I say, he's just not a man's man. However, the book did not make me want to read other works by Liz Gilbert.
I do not know one person who has read or tried to read this book and liked it. The author comes across as the most self-centered, self-involved woman I can even imagine.
I agree with the very first comment made by Hedda in 2009. I listened to this on my iPod so it was even worse.
Karencilla wrote: "is really that bad?" YES!!!!! And movie is WORSE!
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..."Hah! Very good! I agree!
