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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
reflective
slow-paced
Loved her writing, it was simple yet very informative and descriptive.
Actually it took me a while to read through because when I first started reading and in the beginning when Rita was not yet used to being a nomad, I got scared, too. So I stopped reading for awhile. When I picked it up again, I found it was hard to put down. I feel richer with the experience she generously shared with us.
Actually it took me a while to read through because when I first started reading and in the beginning when Rita was not yet used to being a nomad, I got scared, too. So I stopped reading for awhile. When I picked it up again, I found it was hard to put down. I feel richer with the experience she generously shared with us.
I'll keep this short, as other reviewers have hit on all my gripes with this book more eloquently than I can. Ms. Gelman is upfront about many of her flaws in her memoir and she does deserve credit for that. However, one thing that seemed apparent to me was that, despite her courageous adventures outside of her comfort zone, she remains the same person who was shaped by her previous bourgeoisie lifestyle. I don't hate her for her ignorance or histrionic view of her "nomadic lifestyle," but I do find reading about it tedious.
The patronizing way she describes locals (and her belief that she can become "one of them" just by donning their traditional clothing) made me lose interest pretty early on in the book. I do admire Gelman for having the courage to drop everything she knows and travel the world, but her self-aggrandizing narrative turns me off completely.
Don't waste your time.
The patronizing way she describes locals (and her belief that she can become "one of them" just by donning their traditional clothing) made me lose interest pretty early on in the book. I do admire Gelman for having the courage to drop everything she knows and travel the world, but her self-aggrandizing narrative turns me off completely.
Don't waste your time.
A first thing clear, I like that through the narrative I could see that the narrator had her flaws and I consider that very interesting. Not all women can be likable, unselfish and nurturing at all times, this doesn't make them a person I don't want to read about.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think that a lot of the negative reviews in this book have to do with the fact that this is the memoir of an older, mature woman whose children already 'left the nest' and that is being read by younger women. As a twenty year old I thought of things very differently from now and I would not have understood a lot of what the author talks about.
Now being a mature woman myself I can understand and sympathize with the author's view of life better. As one of the examples she talks about how much money she needs to live. This does change from person to person and an amount that seems too much to some people can be what another person considers strictly necessary to live without worries. Therefore I like how the author states that a great part of reinventing herself is being financially independent. A lot of people, especially women, often have difficulties in dealing with their finances and it's refreshing to see someone talking about it matter-of-factly as a very important part of restructuring her life, because that is indeed important, especially if you are older. You probably won't be spontaneous and carefree like a twenty year old person with money and your physical well being when you are almost fifty years old.
I also sympathized with the author when she talks about her ex-husband being a perfectionist. Only people who had a relationship with a perfectionist who has high expectations on people around him/her can understand how extremely draining that can be and how that constant feeling of 'not being good enough' can damage a relationship. This made me understand how she needed freedom to heal.
All above considerations noted, I have now for the second time read a memoir where women are constantly trying to make new temporary acquaintances after a long term relationship has finished.
I would like to read a memoir of a woman being completely all right with really being alone, and not often seeking new friends. I haven't read many memoirs, but I haven't yet found the idea that is completely normal for an older person not to constantly look for new 'friends' and continuously try to remain a gregarious, social person, always looking for human connection. If you've read any memoirs by loners content with their peace and solitude please let me know.
Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think that a lot of the negative reviews in this book have to do with the fact that this is the memoir of an older, mature woman whose children already 'left the nest' and that is being read by younger women. As a twenty year old I thought of things very differently from now and I would not have understood a lot of what the author talks about.
Now being a mature woman myself I can understand and sympathize with the author's view of life better. As one of the examples she talks about how much money she needs to live. This does change from person to person and an amount that seems too much to some people can be what another person considers strictly necessary to live without worries. Therefore I like how the author states that a great part of reinventing herself is being financially independent. A lot of people, especially women, often have difficulties in dealing with their finances and it's refreshing to see someone talking about it matter-of-factly as a very important part of restructuring her life, because that is indeed important, especially if you are older. You probably won't be spontaneous and carefree like a twenty year old person with money and your physical well being when you are almost fifty years old.
I also sympathized with the author when she talks about her ex-husband being a perfectionist. Only people who had a relationship with a perfectionist who has high expectations on people around him/her can understand how extremely draining that can be and how that constant feeling of 'not being good enough' can damage a relationship. This made me understand how she needed freedom to heal.
All above considerations noted, I have now for the second time read a memoir where women are constantly trying to make new temporary acquaintances after a long term relationship has finished.
I would like to read a memoir of a woman being completely all right with really being alone, and not often seeking new friends. I haven't read many memoirs, but I haven't yet found the idea that is completely normal for an older person not to constantly look for new 'friends' and continuously try to remain a gregarious, social person, always looking for human connection. If you've read any memoirs by loners content with their peace and solitude please let me know.
I was quite certain I would like this book. I read this while I was on vacation in Bali, which is where RGG spends a lot of her time in the story. Like many of the reviews before mine, I got very frustrated with RGG. She glossed over what the real stories of the book should have been to make room for arbitrary details. I found her self reflections to be eye rolling and often a little off the mark. The worst thing about this book though is the writing style. It's written in present tense but the story is being told like it already happened. It's quite strange. All that being said, I still liked the book. While her lifestyle isn't suitable for everyone, it's still inspirational. I think everyone can learn a little something from RGG if you can get past the writing.
adventurous
fast-paced
This book offered a new perspective on travel and taking risks. We are so tuned in to drama and disaster, we forget that the world is quite an amazing place, filled with people just like us and cultures we can learn from. There is so much to discover, and Rita Gelman's story is a true eye-opener.
I'm so torn on this one...
On the one hand, I have so much admiration for any woman who defies norms and strikes out on an epic adventure. I'd give it 5 stars just for that. Plus, you can see that Rita Golden Gelman truly adores and admires the people she meets. As an introvert, I've never been good at talking to strangers, but seeing how much enjoyment the author received from learning more about the people she met has emboldened me to talk more to the people I meet.
On the other hand, she is painfully unaware of her privilege. She acted like she was as simple and poor as those she visited when there was plenty of money in her bank account and investments, enough to vacation in Vancouver, the most expensive city in all of Canada. And it often felt like she was using the people she met as a form of entertainment, there for her enjoyment. Last, some cracks are visible in her moral compass. When she first began her nomadic life, she abandoned her college-aged kids, who were also dealing with the divorce. Another time, when she was visiting Mexico, she threw trash into the street because others did. For all these reasons, I would rate it 1 star.
So I've averaged the two into a rating of 3 stars. At the very least, this book reminded me to be aware of my privilege and appreciate the joy found in meeting new people.
On the one hand, I have so much admiration for any woman who defies norms and strikes out on an epic adventure. I'd give it 5 stars just for that. Plus, you can see that Rita Golden Gelman truly adores and admires the people she meets. As an introvert, I've never been good at talking to strangers, but seeing how much enjoyment the author received from learning more about the people she met has emboldened me to talk more to the people I meet.
On the other hand, she is painfully unaware of her privilege. She acted like she was as simple and poor as those she visited when there was plenty of money in her bank account and investments, enough to vacation in Vancouver, the most expensive city in all of Canada. And it often felt like she was using the people she met as a form of entertainment, there for her enjoyment. Last, some cracks are visible in her moral compass. When she first began her nomadic life, she abandoned her college-aged kids, who were also dealing with the divorce. Another time, when she was visiting Mexico, she threw trash into the street because others did. For all these reasons, I would rate it 1 star.
So I've averaged the two into a rating of 3 stars. At the very least, this book reminded me to be aware of my privilege and appreciate the joy found in meeting new people.
I liked this, but didn't love it. It was fun and relatable to read while living my nomad life for a bit. It makes me crave it more, but I'm choosing stability for this season.
I love the relational way she travels and pursues people, but I'm also hesitant about her priveliged way of being in communities in less developed countries. That's just an inevitably tricky piece of travel in a lot of places I suppose.
The stories and the author's tone are a mixed bag, naive, pretentious, courageous, and inquisitive. She makes me want to be at home in more of the world, but doesn't necessarily make me want to copy or follow her way.
Lines that resonated:
"Connection requires participation." (ch 2)
"Coonstantly aware that I am alone in the place where I live. Which is even harder than being alone in a place where you don't know anyone." (ch 3)
"The more I live it, the more I want it." (ch 4)
"But no matter how often I ask myself if I am running away from something. I always get the same answer: No, I am not running away. On the contrary, I've discovered a new way to live. My life is endlessly fascinating, filled with learning, adventure, interesting people, new and enlightening experiences. I laugh, sing, and dance more than I ever have. I am becoming the person inside me. My life also offers opportunities to give as well...I'm embracing my life, not running from it. Why would I want to stop?" (ch 7)
"I'm overwhelmed by a rush of loneliness. I fear that I have given up something significant, but as I think about it I realize that I do have communities, I create them wherever I live. They are not communities of people with whom I have shared experiences over time, but rather they are communities where I have made new and intense connections. Community is important to me and my kind of travel does not preclude being a part of a group." (ch 11)
I love the relational way she travels and pursues people, but I'm also hesitant about her priveliged way of being in communities in less developed countries. That's just an inevitably tricky piece of travel in a lot of places I suppose.
The stories and the author's tone are a mixed bag, naive, pretentious, courageous, and inquisitive. She makes me want to be at home in more of the world, but doesn't necessarily make me want to copy or follow her way.
Lines that resonated:
"Connection requires participation." (ch 2)
"Coonstantly aware that I am alone in the place where I live. Which is even harder than being alone in a place where you don't know anyone." (ch 3)
"The more I live it, the more I want it." (ch 4)
"But no matter how often I ask myself if I am running away from something. I always get the same answer: No, I am not running away. On the contrary, I've discovered a new way to live. My life is endlessly fascinating, filled with learning, adventure, interesting people, new and enlightening experiences. I laugh, sing, and dance more than I ever have. I am becoming the person inside me. My life also offers opportunities to give as well...I'm embracing my life, not running from it. Why would I want to stop?" (ch 7)
"I'm overwhelmed by a rush of loneliness. I fear that I have given up something significant, but as I think about it I realize that I do have communities, I create them wherever I live. They are not communities of people with whom I have shared experiences over time, but rather they are communities where I have made new and intense connections. Community is important to me and my kind of travel does not preclude being a part of a group." (ch 11)