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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
As I read other’s reviews on this book, I feel like they went into it with the wrong expectations. To me, the book is not about the places she went but what she learned along the way. It’s a memoir, not a study of indigenous cultures. Others have said that you can tell it’s written by a children’s book author. I feel that makes it more relatable. The way she explains her thoughts and feelings, emotions during different experiences, it drew me in and allowed better understanding because she was using common language.
This book came to me at such a topsy turvy point in my life. I had just left my husband of six years and was feeling utterly lost. Who am I? What do I do now? What do I want to do with my life? I’m 26 but I feel both 17 and 67 at the same time. Aimless and trapped, feeling too old to make big changes and so uncertain of myself. Her experience is different and similar in some ways to mine. But reading how she picked herself up made the most of the upheaval has given me hope. It’s dared me to dream again. If a woman in her late 40s has the courage to turn her life completely upside down, then what is holding me back but myself?
This book came to me at such a topsy turvy point in my life. I had just left my husband of six years and was feeling utterly lost. Who am I? What do I do now? What do I want to do with my life? I’m 26 but I feel both 17 and 67 at the same time. Aimless and trapped, feeling too old to make big changes and so uncertain of myself. Her experience is different and similar in some ways to mine. But reading how she picked herself up made the most of the upheaval has given me hope. It’s dared me to dream again. If a woman in her late 40s has the courage to turn her life completely upside down, then what is holding me back but myself?
Hey! Do you like reading detailed calendars?! This is the book for you. And bonus - toward the end is was also a cookbook without any real instructions. The potential of this book was immense, the delivery was painful.
I never once felt or imagined anything she "described," not in her own life and not with people of other cultures. It came across as being very self-absorbed.
Where was the awakening or the wonder or any kind of growth? It was likely there in the living of it, but never exposed in the writing of it. It was a long-winded billboard saying, "LOOK AT ME! I DID THIS! AND THIS! AND THIS!" I was sincerely hoping for more.
[As I say this, I realize this intensely negative reaction might be in part a result of listening to the self-read audiobook. Just... NO.]
In truth, it took me months to finish this (where usually it takes a day or two to finish an enjoyable book). I kept hoping it would get better... Okay, let's be honest, I have a compulsion to finish books and a hopeful nature which had me grasping for redemption.
I don't doubt she is a lovely woman to know, and may tell a good story in person or in children's books, but this book - one where I'm already inclined to love it because of the subject matter and lifestyle - is not worth the time.
I never once felt or imagined anything she "described," not in her own life and not with people of other cultures. It came across as being very self-absorbed.
Where was the awakening or the wonder or any kind of growth? It was likely there in the living of it, but never exposed in the writing of it. It was a long-winded billboard saying, "LOOK AT ME! I DID THIS! AND THIS! AND THIS!" I was sincerely hoping for more.
[As I say this, I realize this intensely negative reaction might be in part a result of listening to the self-read audiobook. Just... NO.]
In truth, it took me months to finish this (where usually it takes a day or two to finish an enjoyable book). I kept hoping it would get better... Okay, let's be honest, I have a compulsion to finish books and a hopeful nature which had me grasping for redemption.
I don't doubt she is a lovely woman to know, and may tell a good story in person or in children's books, but this book - one where I'm already inclined to love it because of the subject matter and lifestyle - is not worth the time.
Inspiring book. Not the best book I've ever read, but interesting and makes me want to quit my job tomorrow and start traveling...
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
Rita came to my bookgroup back in... .2004 or 2005? She was so warm and friendly and was like your favorite aunt who'd brought a warm dish (albeit an Indonesian noodle dish) with great stories and even greater wisdom. I loved this book, more for the inspiration than the actual travels.
I admire - and am slightly jealous of - people who just pack up and travel, not caring about the way you are 'expected' to live your life. I did it too, for a year, but at a time when it was easy to do and I had no ties (just finished university, no house, no job). I really enjoyed Rita Golden Gelman's description of the 15 years since 1988 when she just packed her stuff and decided to travel, without a plan. I thought this book was heart-warming. It made me once again realize that people are all so alike, no matter where they live, and how far you can get with a little trust and friendliness. The world can be a beautiful place.
My friend heather's mom recommended this book when i was in seattle a few years back.
GREAT book.
GREAT book.
I found this book to be somewhat hypocritical and did not like her approach to her going into new cultures. At the end of the book she definitely changed her view of what she initially said, but I disagreed with her approach. I'm just kind of over the whole "divorced, heartbroken woman going to see and experience the world." Maybe I'll regret saying this if I get married and then divorced and go see the world, but right now...
She was really unlikeable. It was hard to read and not focus on how little respect I had for her, and she trivialized things like poverty and tied them up in cute little boxes, filed under ‘cultural experiences.’ I really wanted to like this book; what a disappointment.