Scan barcode
fbroom's review against another edition
3.0
3-4 stars. 5 for the style and narration and 3 for the content.
She is a really good writer and also a really good narrator because even though at times I was rolling my eyes at some of what she was saying I still wanted to listen and never wanted to stop it at all!
I know a lot of the negative reviews say how superficial Elizabeth seems but I believe that everyone is entitled to feel pain in this world. It’s all relative. Some unlucky people are born in poverty and face extreme struggles all their lives and some lucky people like Elizabeth are born in first world countries and have all the opportunities to be unique and successful, yet all of us feel pain, become sad or depressed even though the struggles vary a lot. Each human can only feel what’s relative to them.
Elizabeth, compared to her peers, did something no one from her peers would ever do. She left everything behind and went traveling around the world to have new experiences that might enlighten her. This book is about her journey to discover herself through other people and experiences. Not all of us have the privilege to do what she did but it makes you think about what you can change in your life.
She is a really good writer and also a really good narrator because even though at times I was rolling my eyes at some of what she was saying I still wanted to listen and never wanted to stop it at all!
I know a lot of the negative reviews say how superficial Elizabeth seems but I believe that everyone is entitled to feel pain in this world. It’s all relative. Some unlucky people are born in poverty and face extreme struggles all their lives and some lucky people like Elizabeth are born in first world countries and have all the opportunities to be unique and successful, yet all of us feel pain, become sad or depressed even though the struggles vary a lot. Each human can only feel what’s relative to them.
Elizabeth, compared to her peers, did something no one from her peers would ever do. She left everything behind and went traveling around the world to have new experiences that might enlighten her. This book is about her journey to discover herself through other people and experiences. Not all of us have the privilege to do what she did but it makes you think about what you can change in your life.
she_reads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
midwifereading's review against another edition
This book is way overrated. I couldn't even finish it, which is saying something. I hate not finishing a book.
She gets one star purely for writing style, which I really like. She's funny, accessible, and honest.
Other than that, I found it shallow, privileged, and self-centered. There are a lot of neat anecdotes (Luca Spaghetti, anyone?), and some nice insights, but not much else.
I get that this was all about her, but it was ALL ABOUT HER. And that just gets boring after awhile.
I finally gave up when she "learns" that Heaven and Hell are the exact same place. That you get to it via happiness or trouble. Ummm...that is the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. Utter poppycock.
I didn't expect to read anything that was in agreement with my own theology and worldview, but I expected a window into the soul of someone different from myself, and perhaps gain insight into why people seek fulfillment in eastern religions. I still don't get it. Maybe I never will. And maybe I just don't need to have that insight. Or perhaps I should read a biography of the Dalai Llama instead of the ramblings a self-centered, privileged person like the author.
And that's pretty much it. Well-written, sincere, accessible, honest, selfish nonsense.
She gets one star purely for writing style, which I really like. She's funny, accessible, and honest.
Other than that, I found it shallow, privileged, and self-centered. There are a lot of neat anecdotes (Luca Spaghetti, anyone?), and some nice insights, but not much else.
I get that this was all about her, but it was ALL ABOUT HER. And that just gets boring after awhile.
I finally gave up when she "learns" that Heaven and Hell are the exact same place. That you get to it via happiness or trouble. Ummm...that is the most idiotic thing I've ever heard. Utter poppycock.
I didn't expect to read anything that was in agreement with my own theology and worldview, but I expected a window into the soul of someone different from myself, and perhaps gain insight into why people seek fulfillment in eastern religions. I still don't get it. Maybe I never will. And maybe I just don't need to have that insight. Or perhaps I should read a biography of the Dalai Llama instead of the ramblings a self-centered, privileged person like the author.
And that's pretty much it. Well-written, sincere, accessible, honest, selfish nonsense.
alatinaandherbooks's review against another edition
1.0
Eh, privileged woman travels the world for self discovery. Not really much to this book. Only thing I got out of it is a really really want to go to Italy and eat
indigoblue777's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
My feelings about [b:Eat, Pray, Love|19501|Eat, Pray, Love|Elizabeth Gilbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503066414l/19501._SY75_.jpg|3352398] are complicated. I don't normally read memoirs, but I found this lying around while I was quarantine-cleaning my house. It's been on my TBR for a while because Part 1 of the book takes place in Italy, but it's not meant to be read as a book about travel. Most of the book focuses on Gilbert's divorce, her mental health, and her struggles with identity.
My feelings about [b:Eat, Pray, Love|19501|Eat, Pray, Love|Elizabeth Gilbert|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503066414l/19501._SY75_.jpg|3352398] are complicated. I don't normally read memoirs, but I found this lying around while I was quarantine-cleaning my house. It's been on my TBR for a while because Part 1 of the book takes place in Italy, but it's not meant to be read as a book about travel. Most of the book focuses on Gilbert's divorce, her mental health, and her struggles with identity.
abbywebb's review against another edition
3.0
I have to say that I really enjoyed reading this book. Gilbert has a humourous style of writing that keeps me chuckling to myself even during not-so-happy moments. If it were possible to give half stars, I would rate this book as 3.5 stars. It wasn't quite a "4" for me, but it was definitely better than a "3."
I really did not have a good sense of what the book was truly about before reading it. I knew that it was about a woman who travelled to Italy, India, and Indonesia, but I did not understand why she chose to visit these specific countries. I loved each country in the book for different reasons. In Italy, I was jealous of the hot weather, the amazingly delicious food, and of course, the gorgeous men (I am assuming). I was amazed at how Gilbert was able to learn the language by herself and meet friends easily. India was a good chapter as it demonstrated how she got to the spiritual part of herself. It was not as interesting as the other countries for me as I am not spiritual at all, but I could appreciate what Gilbert went through at the Ashram. Also, she did not make it preachy at all which I further appreciated. Indonesia was probably the best of the three countries in the book. I was relieved to see that she finally found balance between divinity and pleasure during her stay there, and I was really happy at how things worked out for her in the end (especially because it was a true story).
Gilbert is gifted with being able to share her often heart-wrenching stories with such openness while also making it light by adding humour. Her style of writing kept me interested from beginning to end, and I kept looking forward to reading about her spiritual journey, the food she was eating (if I were her, I would have gained 50 pounds during that one year!), and the acquaintances that she made along the way. I would recommend this book to anyone in need of a light-hearted book and for those who are thinking about embarking on a spiritual journey (but not necessarily across the world).
I really did not have a good sense of what the book was truly about before reading it. I knew that it was about a woman who travelled to Italy, India, and Indonesia, but I did not understand why she chose to visit these specific countries. I loved each country in the book for different reasons. In Italy, I was jealous of the hot weather, the amazingly delicious food, and of course, the gorgeous men (I am assuming). I was amazed at how Gilbert was able to learn the language by herself and meet friends easily. India was a good chapter as it demonstrated how she got to the spiritual part of herself. It was not as interesting as the other countries for me as I am not spiritual at all, but I could appreciate what Gilbert went through at the Ashram. Also, she did not make it preachy at all which I further appreciated. Indonesia was probably the best of the three countries in the book. I was relieved to see that she finally found balance between divinity and pleasure during her stay there, and I was really happy at how things worked out for her in the end (especially because it was a true story).
Gilbert is gifted with being able to share her often heart-wrenching stories with such openness while also making it light by adding humour. Her style of writing kept me interested from beginning to end, and I kept looking forward to reading about her spiritual journey, the food she was eating (if I were her, I would have gained 50 pounds during that one year!), and the acquaintances that she made along the way. I would recommend this book to anyone in need of a light-hearted book and for those who are thinking about embarking on a spiritual journey (but not necessarily across the world).
klparmley's review against another edition
4.0
It helps to have some understanding of zen when you read the section on India, I think.
jgraydee's review against another edition
3.0
The audio of this book is very good. Elizabeth Gilbert reads the book.
bvilushis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0