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bhnmt61's review against another edition
4.0
Of course I’ve never met Elizabeth Gilbert but I still want to dislike her. The way she presents herself is (to me) annoyingly self-confident and unconflicted, and while I can go along with a fair amount of woo-woo, she is sometimes too much woo-woo for me. I like my mysticism grounded with a bit of snark and some common sense, thank you very much. I barely made it through Eat,pray,love, finding it more and more smug as it went along. BUT. She is also annoyingly wise, and good at putting that wisdom into words.
This book, Big Magic, a book about creativity, is just as annoyingly full of itself as Gilbert’s other work- it just astonishes me that she can write what amounts to an artistic self-help book and use herself as the example of all the good and right ways to approach creativity. Who does that? Aren’t you supposed to occasionally have problems with creativity? Shouldn’t you build camaraderie with your readers by showing how you share the same struggles they do? Apparently she doesn’t think so. According to this book, Gilbert has had a handle on how to be creative since she was about eight and made a vow to pursue her writing, and she is able to use herself as an example of all her recommended approaches to creativity. And you know what? It still works. Even given all these gripes about the book, even though I nearly put it down a couple of times, I learned a lot and I will probably even re-read it at some point. I don’t know how she does it. I’m really irritated at giving it four stars but I liked it that much, when I wasn’t rolling my eyes.
This book, Big Magic, a book about creativity, is just as annoyingly full of itself as Gilbert’s other work- it just astonishes me that she can write what amounts to an artistic self-help book and use herself as the example of all the good and right ways to approach creativity. Who does that? Aren’t you supposed to occasionally have problems with creativity? Shouldn’t you build camaraderie with your readers by showing how you share the same struggles they do? Apparently she doesn’t think so. According to this book, Gilbert has had a handle on how to be creative since she was about eight and made a vow to pursue her writing, and she is able to use herself as an example of all her recommended approaches to creativity. And you know what? It still works. Even given all these gripes about the book, even though I nearly put it down a couple of times, I learned a lot and I will probably even re-read it at some point. I don’t know how she does it. I’m really irritated at giving it four stars but I liked it that much, when I wasn’t rolling my eyes.
cam_tee's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.75
catgv's review against another edition
5.0
This is hands-down my favorite writing craft book!
It's marvelous and, yes, magical. Gilbert not only provides deep insight into being an author, but into being any creative, too.
She packs it with anecdotes, thoughts and mindsets to try out. It's not your usual writing craft book... It's more about creativity itself, how to find it and most of all: how to embrace it with all your might!
I swear to God and Nature I will forever recommend it to other creatives.
P.S.: I lent it to my mom and it's genuinely helping her in getting a prototype ready for her business she wishes to launch. :) Isn't that amazing?! This has to be the best example of how this book, Big Magic, is tapping deep into our potential and changing our way of thinking for the best.
I would genuinely give this book six stars and more (if not ten!), but we'll have to make do with five.
Seriously, if you're a creative (or have any idea of anything to make), read this!
It's marvelous and, yes, magical. Gilbert not only provides deep insight into being an author, but into being any creative, too.
She packs it with anecdotes, thoughts and mindsets to try out. It's not your usual writing craft book... It's more about creativity itself, how to find it and most of all: how to embrace it with all your might!
I swear to God and Nature I will forever recommend it to other creatives.
P.S.: I lent it to my mom and it's genuinely helping her in getting a prototype ready for her business she wishes to launch. :) Isn't that amazing?! This has to be the best example of how this book, Big Magic, is tapping deep into our potential and changing our way of thinking for the best.
I would genuinely give this book six stars and more (if not ten!), but we'll have to make do with five.
Seriously, if you're a creative (or have any idea of anything to make), read this!
maggiereadsbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.5
sarah_puschel's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
3.0
mariamj's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
Thought provoking and inspiring. Didn't want the book to end!
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Death