Eat, Pray, Love
discussion
puke hate rage
Wow, so many people hated this book. How did it sell so many copies?
Nick wrote: "Wow, so many people hated this book. How did it sell so many copies?"It was so well hyped - and there are people who are that self-involved. I understand all the "discovering oneself" stuff, but having the cash to do it the way she did it is pretty unrealistic for most of us. And I don't think one has to focus only on one's self to learn.
I don't know Nick. Why are insipid reality TV shows so popular? I sure don't have an answer.
Carolyn wrote: "I don't know Nick. Why are insipid reality TV shows so popular? I sure don't have an answer."Carolyn, I am with you 100%.
but the point wasn't to advertise a wonderful life adventure that we can all go on, the point was to write a memoir of her travels. A memoir has to be somewhat self involved to even be categorised as one. I really do not understand the big problem most people seem to have with this... it sounds like petty jealousy. I just appreciated it for what it was and at the end of the day it gave me the same feeling a work of fiction would, its escapism & living through the characters.
Magda wrote: "I think this review sums it up nicely. http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."
Great review!
Wow, lots of interesting comments. I enjoyed the book when I read it. I could totally relate to it in some ways. I guess that makes me self-centered, and self-involved. If you are going through a trying time in your life (for Elizabeth the choice to leave her marriage) why wouldn't you be self-centered? And if you have the money to travel and you want to use it as a way to change or grow in your life, why wouldn't you? I did. And you know what? Travelling did not provoke any meaningful change in my life, but it DID make me feel very, very grateful to have the life I have. Of course living a privileged life presents "issues/choices" that others less fortunate don't have the luxury to even think about...but does that make them any less stressful? or any less meaningful? I wonder too... most people I know who did not like the book are considerably younger than me...wonder if that means anything.
Haha, the book isn't THAT bad. I think part of the reason this book ended up disappointing many is because they had somewhat high expectations jumping into it. If you were like me, you picked it up after you heard of the movie and when you hear Julia Roberts is in it, it makes you think the movie is going to be great (because not often does Julia pick bad movies), and so then, the book must likely be even better (which it was).But did I read this book expecting it to be awesome? Well, kinda, but for reasons I didn't even know why. I had no idea what the book would really reveal to me. Did I expect it to change my life? No. In all seriousness, I don't know how it was suppose to change anyone's lives. Unless you have a pretty massive savings account and the time to set aside months for traveling (or doing something you've always wanted to do in order to discover yourself), it didn't really offer anything life-altering. If anything, it was rather a reminder that our hearts heal with time and we do move on and find other things. And it was somewhat admirable when her character actually ends the marriage when she realizes there was a huge void, although it was also unadmirable, since she just threw committment and marriage vows out the door instead of them working them out. That's my personal feelings on that aspect, anyway. But other than all that, I just found it to be a well-written story to let women know they can do whatever the heck they want with their lives (if you don't have kids, I suppose).
I didn't like it-- put it in the same category with "Mutant Message from Downunder" which was equally hyped and equally underwhelming for me. I think there are better travel tales but I don't regret reading it. I draw the line at the movie though-- casting Julia Roberts for this only reaffirmed that. No interest in seeing it.
Kristine wrote: "Wow, lots of interesting comments. I enjoyed the book when I read it. I could totally relate to it in some ways. I guess that makes me self-centered, and self-involved. If you are going through..."my sentiment EXACTLY I just dont get why it rubs people up the wrong way so much!
That's the thing about this book. Either you really hated it, or you thought it was okay. I am to this day surprised how many people hated this book and thought that it was preachy.
Hedda wrote: "This book should be used to equalize unstable tables."I agree - I found it so self-indulgent that it made me laugh. As if none of the rest of us had ever used food to soften the pain! And all that business about meditation, there is only so much thinking I can do about me, me, me or worse, her, her, her. The hype had more literary creation than the book to be honest.
I liked the Italy part for the description of the area. the rest was tedious. Felt like the author contrived a story to make money. what a whiner this woman is. Get over it for heaven's sake. A year? Movie was some better because of the wonderful locations but the story just a vacuous.
Sounds like someone had some major anger issues in 2009!
I was one of those who didn't finished the book. But the movie was okay. I like Julia Roberts, that's why.Only one book so far that I didn't finished. I wouldn't buy any book from the same author.
I found this painfully self-indulgent and didn't finish it.
I stopped reading about the 5th time she curled up on the floor and cried.
Liza wrote: "I found this painfully self-indulgent and didn't finish it."Liza I agree totally!
I am so HAPPY I am not the only one who thought this book was pure and utter CR*P!!!! Tried watching the movie, I think I survived through Italy but then I fell asleep and woke up for the very last minute of the movie. The only way to watch it!
I found the book to be just okay. I didn't want to see the movie, though. I wasn't sure why they even thought it would MAKE a good movie.
Susan wrote: "I found the book to be just okay. I didn't want to see the movie, though. I wasn't sure why they even thought it would MAKE a good movie."Surprisingly it made a better movie than read.....more visual. Something to watch when home sick! No brains required....
Sandra wrote: "I'm relieved to learn that I'm not the only one who didn't care for this book. I can't even bring myself to rent the movie version."Only watch it if you don't need to pay for it... its really not worth it. Even more selfindulgent than the book.
It is refreshing to hear that other people think as I do about this book. I was curious enough to finish it, but feel it was a waste of my time. Like some of the you, sometimes I wanted to shake her out of her self pity. How many of us, could afford the time and the money to wallow in our own petard--whilst traveling the world!Heck yeah I envied that part, that is why I had little empathy for her, which ultimately ruined the book for me.
My issue is not with the hype, never trusted that, my issue is with the actual book.
Patty wrote: "Nick wrote: "Wow, so many people hated this book. How did it sell so many copies?"It was so well hyped - and there are people who are that self-involved. I understand all the "discovering onesel..."
I agree with Patty. Even Oprah herself invited Elizabeth to her show and asked her to share how she came up with it.
It is okay not to like a book but some of the comments on here are simply mean spirited. The author is not the first person to write about his or her experiences during a period in life so I don't see how the book is self indulgent. They are usually called autobiographies. There is a message within the pages which I did get. In case you are wondering, no I am not particularly a fan of this book,. I did get the message of the book, but to me it was not done in a way that really moves me. I thought it was an okay book.
I didn't get angry with this book because it didn't heal my life as one reader stated above when defending it, I got angry because I thought it was feminist lit and it wasn't, it was selfish, weak and that the lead character learned nothing from experiences. I didn't enjoy it sorry those that did but it wasn't for me.
THIS IS A GOOD BOOK.I think there are many psychological reasons why readers might have such a strong reaction to it, but to explain the book away as self-indulgent is misconstrued.
The book is basically just this:
We would have to dismiss all of literature that deals with someone 1) having their dreams shattered 2) seeking out a way to make peace with themselves and get back in a good state of mind.
The author just happened to be a writer and recorded this process. But hasn't everyone been through the above process? I'm not saying the author is perfect, but to have such passionate hatred rather than just saying "meh, it wasn't interesting" ...is a little unusual.
Xenia wrote: "It is okay not to like a book but some of the comments on here are simply mean spirited. The author is not the first person to write about his or her experiences during a period in life so I don't..."thumps up
Camila wrote: "It was not at all bad. But again, reading all of the comments and scrolling down, getting more furious with some of the comments, I realize and understand we all have different opinions, interests ..."Thank you for adding intelligence to this (:
This is a very long thread, going back three years. So do we really need another opinion on this book or its origins? No, we don't. But here I am anyway, with my opinion.I refuse to read this book because the author got an advance to write the book before she went on this trip. Back in 2009 in this thread somebody said "That's the way it works with authors!" No, it's not. Not exactly. In order to obtain an advance, an author has to submit one of two things to her publisher. 1) a completed manuscript, or 2) a proposal. A proposal is exactly what you think it is, except it typically goes into far more depth than what you may be thinking. It generally includes a chapter-by-chapter outline and gives a strong impression of the overall theme-to-be. If the proposal looks salable enough, and if the author has a good reputation for selling books (as Gilbert did with her self-help series), then the author is granted an advance.
I refuse to read this book because Gilbert must have submitted a proposal to obtain that $200K advance, and the proposal must have included the basics of what ended up going into the book. Therefore, she either manufactured the experiences contained therein or engineered them to happen "in real life," and engineered experiences are not genuine, now are they? I'm sure she really did fall in love -- what a happy coincidence for her. But she proposed a book that would include a transformative journey through food, spirituality, and passion across the globe, took her money, and then made that happen.
It seems so hollow to me. Every time I contemplate reading this book, I get the icky feeling that she's just pulling the wool over everybody's eyes, and I back away again.
I have no desire to read about a pre-planned and proposed spiritual transformation. That's no transformation at all.
Lavender, I am not defending Gilbert, but you are making a lot of assumptions about what she actually presented to the publishers. It is completely your right to refuse to read this book, but your insights regarding Gilbert's experiences being pre-planned are assumptions. And I am not saying any of this because I love the book. I thought it was okay. I didn't appreciate the parts where Gilbert was whining because I saw her as quite privileged. I am a bit baffled how Eat Pray Love ended up on the NY Times best seller list for nearly 3 years, but I am not hating. No one forced so many people to buy the book and read it keeping it a best seller for so long. I wish someone would give me a $200k advance to go abroad for a year and write about my experiences.
Xenia wrote: "Lavender, I am not defending Gilbert, but you are making a lot of assumptions about what she actually presented to the publishers. It is completely your right to refuse to read this book, but your..."How did it get on the NY best sellers list? The publisher requires certain bookstores to purchase X amt of books which gaurantees the book to be on the best sellers list. Then it does help when Oprah gives her seal of approval. I agree with Lavender the book was a scam and those of us who read the book were made fools of in the grand skeem for the all mighty buck!!! I read it for a book club read and as I was reading it I and the others in my club felt it was a story created to sell and not incedental spiritual journey. How much of it was real and how much was made up, we will never know!!! :(
I couldn't make it past the first chapter. I found the main character to be full of herself and childish.
True, I am making assumptions based on what I know of how the publishing industry works. I could be totally wrong, but until I read otherwise in an interview with the author or some other source, I'll continue to assume, because I know no author gets an advance without a proposal.
I understand that publishers require bookstores to purchase a minimum of books but that does not guarantee the book will be a bestseller. There has to be a demand for the book by readers. If the book is not selling it goes up front with other hugely discounted books. If the book is selling the bookseller will obviously order more keeping the book on the bestseller list. Ultimately it is demand for the book that makes it popular.
Katrina wrote: "I couldn't make it past the first chapter. I found the main character to be full of herself and childish."I think she had emotional problems which added to her reaction to everything around her. Gilbert actually had a lot to be thankful for, but chose not to be.
Lavender wrote: "True, I am making assumptions based on what I know of how the publishing industry works. I could be totally wrong, but until I read otherwise in an interview with the author or some other source, ..."Okay Lavender, fair enough.
I feel somewhere in the middle on this book; there were parts I loved; especially her time in Bali when she actually had to lie to her friend (I thought this showed her flawed nature so perfectly) but I had a very hard time staying connected to her when she was in India...that part of the journey seemed very drawn out and self-centred to me...I agree with her that there is a lot of pressure for women to "conform" to a life of marriage and children even in our society today, so I could appreciate her stress at the beginning when she discovered that her life wasn't working for her. But I genuinely felt worse the man she married....he was blind-sided by her. It must have been very painful for him to have to come to a place where he had to accept that the woman he loved didn't want to be with him. And the book was based on the destruction of that relationship.
There was a "man's version" of this book called "Drink, Play, F#ck" that was at the very least, enjoyable. Not very deep and introspective, but at least not droaning and holier than thou.....
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..."Yes, thank you! I thought this book was awful and the writer insanely selfish. The only thing she had going for her that kept me reading is that she does have a lovely way with words.
i rarely say this but the film was sooooooooooooo much better !
Camila wrote: "I agree, the strong opinions everyone has about it are very tempting, as to creating a discussion. I´d really like to see the film, and I´m a big fan of Julia Roberts, so I´m sure I will like it. T..."The film is the book. They did a good job, but I could take it or leave it. I don't care for the story.
Xenia wrote: "I understand that publishers require bookstores to purchase a minimum of books but that does not guarantee the book will be a bestseller. There has to be a demand for the book by readers. If the ..."That may be true for smaller book stores but the big stores have location all over the states and they buy in such big bulk that it almost imediately puts the books the publisher wants on the best seller list. This info is coming from an expo that was on TV a few years ago. I believe it might have been 60 min or some such. I was appalled at the idea. It goes to show that if your a big name you get extra attention by the publisher. I think there point on that segment was that if your a nobody trying to publish it's hard to break in and those that do are few and far between. Elizabeth Gilbert had lots of backing especially if they gave her an advance. That means it would be in the publishers best interest to mass market it and make sure it went on the best seller list. It's the first thing you see on entering the store and at airports. And unfortunately some people buy just because it hit the best seller list. Big publishers have a lot of clout. So the moral to the story is don't pay attention to best seller lists, they can be munipulated. Read the reviews first and as many as you can read, than make a judgement as to whether to read. That's why I love this site!! I can read others reviews and kmow what they read and if it is similar to my likes or dislikes.
I wanted to throw the book out of the window. never finished it, but gave it to a friend because I could never bring myself to throw a book into the bin, even if it is that awful.
Ebony wrote: "I liked it. The middle part was hard to get through for me. I much preferred the first and last parts. I like to hear peoples stories, and that is what this is, one woman's story. A woman with emot..."I don't see where anyone here is validating there life based on this stupid story! What people are angry or disappointed about is how we were all lead to believe that this story was real when there really is no fact to the story and actually if she got paid an advance it was in her best interest to come up with an interesting story that the gullible would believe. Now that we know she did get an advance I think that puts the story in a different light. Kinda opens your eyes to the truth!!! People ARE allowed to be upset, angry and disappointed. Hence the name of the discussion.
I don't understand why any reader feels outraged when a memoir naturally reflects the author's obsession with self. In this case, Gilbert is more self-effacing than self-aggrandizing. She admits her flaws, she describes her vulnerability, she is not a diva! So what if she got an advance and was able to travel with that money? It paid off, big-time for the publisher. She turned out a best seller!
The book was given to me by three separate friends who are all intelligent, fiercely independent women. They each said, "I loved this book, and I hope you will too."
I laughed out loud innumerable times as I read it, and can't help but think many of you who hate the book or who hate Gilbert for writing it are perhaps downright jealous of her enormous success.
Can you not? The book was mass produced and made to look like it was a big hit before anyone really got a chance to read it and than they get Oprah to validate this authors so called experience, which was contrived so that she earned her advance. Can you really not see why those of us duped into reading wouldn't be just a tad upset. Not only that but the book was way too boring, self centered pitty party and I personally could not find any redeeming qualities to come away with! I would of not finished the book if it was not my book club read. Which I might add that not one single person in the group liked the book. We did discuss that maybe it was a generational thing but found that even the 20 somethings also didn't like the book.
Melaina, I couldn't agree more.