Monday, September 17, 2007

Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert: A Review

Title: Eat, Pray, Love
Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
Pages: 331
Date Finished: September 16, 2007
Rating: 4.25/5

I really enjoyed this book, but I didn't love it like I keep hearing most people say they do. But I still really enjoyed it. At the beginning of the book, Liz explains her situation - a rather desperate situation. Her life seems to be falling apart all around her so she pleads with God to help her figure things out. What she decides is to travel for a year: first to Italy where she can learn the beautiful language and search for pleasure; second to India where she will live in an Ashram and devote her time to mediation; and finally to Indonesia (Bali, specifically where she will try to balance the pleasure and spiritual lives she lived in Italy and India.

What I really liked about this book was Liz's frank attitude. At times she reminded me of my old hero Bridget Jones - one starts to wonder, seriously? how could things get any worse but she also handles her situations with grace and humor. Her narrative was very personal and I found her humanness very easy to relate to. I found myself becoming Liz's personal cheerleader - wanting her to succeed in her searches and to find the happiness she so deserves. Honestly, I'm not sure what it is about the book that is keeping me from screaming I LOVE IT I LOVE IT, but there is just something...

I would recommend this book to a number of different people. I actually dropped it off at Mom's house last night for her to read when she has finished with the HP series - and usually I base my recommendations on whether or not I would pass the book on to Mom. There is just something about Liz that makes you want to really like her. But she isn't perfect--she has her really ugly moments, which to me makes her all that much more likable.

15 comments:

Stephanie said...

I have never really had the desire to read this one. To be honest, I'm not really sure why. But I have heard such good things about it. Maybe. It would be nice to be able to just travel for a year. Too many ties to home for me!

Kelly said...

I have this in my TBR pile.

*Check out my blog announcement.

Lisa said...

I am one of the people who LOVED this book! I am somewhat obsessed with Italy, and felt she was so honest about the whole year. I really enjoyed it.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Stephanie - part of me had mixed feelings about it as well because I am a huge cynic and not very religious/spiritual. But this book wasn't preachy at all, which was good for me.

*Myutopia - I was over at your site earlier and I am thrilled for you! Congratulations again and again and again! I bet you are grinning ear to ear.

*Lisa - I remember you telling me, which is why I was looking for your post on it. :( Ha ha! I loved her honesty as well--I don't think the book would have been so successful without it.

BookGal said...

I'm with Stephanie on this on. I've heard so many good things about this book but just never end up with it on my TBR list.

Jill said...

Hi, Trish: I am thinking about this book for the "In Their Shoes" reading challenge. So many people have enjoyed it - it's very tempting.

I saw your comments on the Picoult book on my blog. I read "My Sister's Keeper" earlier this year. I hope to read Picoult again next year - perhaps "The Pact" like you recommended! =)

Jill
http://mrstreme.livejournal.com

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*bookgal - I picked this one up for the Armchair Traveler challenge, but it wasn't even on my original list--its just that it is a lot easier to find than some of my other ones. That's the main reason why I picked it up.

*Jill - I think this would be a great book for the In Their Shoes challenge! I'm really glad that I ended up reading it. Keeping Faith is another good Picoult book. I've heard that Vanishing Acts and Plain Truth are as well, but I haven't gotten a chance to read those yet. :)

Bookfool said...

I'm dying to read this one, but I forget to look for it when I'm at the library and I think I'm still pretty low on the wish list at PBS. Some day!! Glad you enjoyed it!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Bookfool - I actually saw a pretty cheap copy of it the other day at Half Price Books, but I know that their inventory varies so much store to store. I picked mine up on sale at Target... Hope you get a copy soon!!

Joy said...

Hi Trish! Just in case you don't know, on October 5, Gilbert is going to be on Oprah.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Joy - Thanks for the info! I would love to watch.

maggie moran said...

Funny, how you flat out can't praise the book although you sing its praises. I think it is one of those books that begs for a book club audience. People to bounce one's concerns around and maybe find the reason it makes one slightly uncomfortable. Not your self of course! But it might help you find the reason you just don't love it. :)

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Maggie - interesting perspective--and I think you are right that this would be a great book club choice. I think the spiritual elements of the book were a little uncomfortable for me since I tend to be a cynic. But I don't have a problem praising the book, and I will continue to do so. I just didn't *Love* it.

Anonymous said...

Hi Trish
I understand completely what you are saying, and I am so happy that there is someone else who feels that way.I have felt the same about other books which were not spiuritual,too.I could not put it down and I loved it but i will not be trying to tell evryone taht they must,must read it. Did you read 'Eleven Minutes'by Paolo Coehlo.You just need to.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Valerie - I'll have to check that one out. Thanks for coming by!