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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
There were moments where I liked this book enough to maybe warrant two stars--mostly during the parts around yoga and meditation, as these are topics I am very interested in. Mostly, however, I found Gilbert to be so annoying that if I found myself at a party with her, I would avoid talking to her.
If you're interested in the book, just watch the movie and stop there.
If you're interested in the book, just watch the movie and stop there.
Elizabeth turned thirty and everything changed. She got a divorce, found love again, lost that love, battled depression and decided enough was enough. On a journey to find herself she quit her job and decided to travel the world. This book tells of her time during the year she left to find herself in. Traveling from country to country she learns about life, love, and herself.
I'm confused as to whether I should give the book two stars or three. I wish I could give 2 1/2. The main theme of the book is great; a heartbroken, lost woman goes on a soul-searching mission around the world to some beautiful locales. She finds herself, finds new friends, etc. etc.
What I didn't like was Gilbert herself. She seemed to whine a lot in the writing of the book and had a very "whoa is me" attitude. The depression that had her crying on the bathroom floor I can understand, but everything seemed to be someone elses fault.
The book seemed to drone on after she left Italy. Each following place could've been a shorter section because I found myself skipping forward a few pages several times.
I'm not a fan of Gilbert personally due to some interviews she's given and her attitude about her own opinions. Just because her life didn't turn out the way she planned when she was 25 doesn't mean EVERYONE's plans at 25 won't turn out well. And just because you get married at 35+ doesn't mean it'll work out either.
What I didn't like was Gilbert herself. She seemed to whine a lot in the writing of the book and had a very "whoa is me" attitude. The depression that had her crying on the bathroom floor I can understand, but everything seemed to be someone elses fault.
The book seemed to drone on after she left Italy. Each following place could've been a shorter section because I found myself skipping forward a few pages several times.
I'm not a fan of Gilbert personally due to some interviews she's given and her attitude about her own opinions. Just because her life didn't turn out the way she planned when she was 25 doesn't mean EVERYONE's plans at 25 won't turn out well. And just because you get married at 35+ doesn't mean it'll work out either.
I so enjoyed this book. I enjoyed her enjoying her journey. And since I'm not much of a traveller it was fun to experience traveling through her words.
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
As mentioned by at least one other reviewer, the cover to this book is just ridiculous, it positively screams "frou frou girly novel" in much the same way a shirtless gent on horseback screams "sex filled romance novel". Yeah. It’s pretty embarrassing, even if I loved every page.
Moving onto the contents of said book you’ll find a self-aware humorously self-deprecating mid-thirties American woman on a spiritual quest to build up her confidence, connect to God and get over her Divorce. That really is the key point to her journey, the often mentioned but rarely explored terrible divorce with ex-husband and turbulent relations with subsequent lover. Much like a teenage girl with a bad crush, it’s all she thinks about, these men and her problems surrounding their place in her life. She even chides herself for such “middle school” whining while studying in an Ashram in India. The love-sick aspect of this journey isn’t overstated to the point of becoming tedious or annoying, but it comes close.
Liz focuses on three areas, each broken down into chapters of narrative in which she navigates around the questions of pleasure in Italy, spirit in India, and balance in Bali. Personally I found the chapters on India and Bali by far more interesting than Italy, as this was when she began developing her spirit through yoga and meditation. The little lessons and epiphanies she shares are simply amazing, and she dose well to explain that which should really be experienced first-hand.
A word to the casual reader; this is not about a pleasure cruise through Europe. This is about self discovery and connecting to the divine, but yes, there are moments of indulgence and petty thoughts as well, after all, Liz is only human.
Moving onto the contents of said book you’ll find a self-aware humorously self-deprecating mid-thirties American woman on a spiritual quest to build up her confidence, connect to God and get over her Divorce. That really is the key point to her journey, the often mentioned but rarely explored terrible divorce with ex-husband and turbulent relations with subsequent lover. Much like a teenage girl with a bad crush, it’s all she thinks about, these men and her problems surrounding their place in her life. She even chides herself for such “middle school” whining while studying in an Ashram in India. The love-sick aspect of this journey isn’t overstated to the point of becoming tedious or annoying, but it comes close.
Liz focuses on three areas, each broken down into chapters of narrative in which she navigates around the questions of pleasure in Italy, spirit in India, and balance in Bali. Personally I found the chapters on India and Bali by far more interesting than Italy, as this was when she began developing her spirit through yoga and meditation. The little lessons and epiphanies she shares are simply amazing, and she dose well to explain that which should really be experienced first-hand.
A word to the casual reader; this is not about a pleasure cruise through Europe. This is about self discovery and connecting to the divine, but yes, there are moments of indulgence and petty thoughts as well, after all, Liz is only human.
Reminds me of when you watch a genre defining classic movie and it feels derivative because you've seen so many things that were inspired by it. The urtext of the white feminist.
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
I was skeptical but after having this book on my shel for a year I finally read it. I read it in a matter of a week and must say enjoyed it indeed. I found myself yearning to live in Italy and eat pasta, to ease my psyche into quietude. Then the book was over and I found myself thinking how I could benefit from an Brazilian lover. An ok read in my books.