Scan barcode
A review by megansmith
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
I surprisingly really enjoyed this book, more than I admittedly thought I would! This read like a single lecture over a tedious book and I really enjoyed the style of writing. I could read in quick snippets or in long bursts and still get a lot from these pages, which I really appreciate. Everything is fairly conversational but still insightful, and I liked Gilbert's generally positive take on creativity. Especially that we don't have to painstakingly suffer to be a creative, or hope for it to magically strike - but rather, work dilligently and be ready for the moment to strike when big magic is upon us.
I think the only portion I didn't really resonate with were her musings on careers in creativity and going to school for the arts. To an extent, I get it - college is a predatory system, and if you can find time and energy to do a creative hustle for yourself on the side of a job that covers the bills, that's awesome. I do however think this advice comes from two minds: A) it comes from a place of it having worked well for the author, so she felt like pushing out these paths makes sense. I think it's fine and great to share a more alternative path into the arts working for yourself, I wouldn't however knock someone that wants to go to traditional schooling for some of the other benefits it offers (IE like the networks and the "who you know" that propel you in your career). B) I think this feels just a bit antiquated in the economy we're currently in. This does fit the time of 2015 (sort of?) where some people could still get away with this - but I think in times like what we're currently in, this feels nearly impossible for most young people to do. It was already difficult then but, seemingly even harder knowing most people carry some form of a second job to make ends meet, or live at home since there isn't a state where you can afford a single bedroom apartment on minimum wage. I do think her advice comes from a good place, but I think the topics of creative careers and college deserve a lot more nuance, especially as the requirements to make ends meet, and even excel, in this economy continue to rise.
Still, I do think this is a really lighthearted book and I think it's great for any creatives struggling with their craft, or even doing well and wanting to keep going in their fields.
I think the only portion I didn't really resonate with were her musings on careers in creativity and going to school for the arts. To an extent, I get it - college is a predatory system, and if you can find time and energy to do a creative hustle for yourself on the side of a job that covers the bills, that's awesome. I do however think this advice comes from two minds: A) it comes from a place of it having worked well for the author, so she felt like pushing out these paths makes sense. I think it's fine and great to share a more alternative path into the arts working for yourself, I wouldn't however knock someone that wants to go to traditional schooling for some of the other benefits it offers (IE like the networks and the "who you know" that propel you in your career). B) I think this feels just a bit antiquated in the economy we're currently in. This does fit the time of 2015 (sort of?) where some people could still get away with this - but I think in times like what we're currently in, this feels nearly impossible for most young people to do. It was already difficult then but, seemingly even harder knowing most people carry some form of a second job to make ends meet, or live at home since there isn't a state where you can afford a single bedroom apartment on minimum wage. I do think her advice comes from a good place, but I think the topics of creative careers and college deserve a lot more nuance, especially as the requirements to make ends meet, and even excel, in this economy continue to rise.
Still, I do think this is a really lighthearted book and I think it's great for any creatives struggling with their craft, or even doing well and wanting to keep going in their fields.