Eat, Pray, Love

by Elizabeth Gilbert

In a nutshell: Elizabeth Gilbert went through a messy divorce. Then she suffered through the break-up of her rebound relationship. Then she signed a book deal. She was paid to travel and write about her travels and her spiritual/emotional/self-centered journey. She went to three places:

Italy: this is the “eat” of the book’s title. Her trip to Italy was supposed to be in pursuit of pleasure. Half of her writing in the Italy section is about her divorce and the collapse of her rebound relationship. Boo hoo! Frankly, I don’t think that Italy was all that pleasurable for Gilbert. She spent a lot of time whining and not enough time enjoying all that Italy has to offer.

India: this is the “pray” of the book’s title. She spent a whole lot of time praying/meditating/chanting at an ashram in India. I won’t pretend to understand Gilbert’s concept of religion or reasons for prayer. I just don’t think she left the ashram with a better sense of devotion, except to herself, of course.

Indonesia (Bali): this is the “love” of the book’s title. For me, this was the most tolerable portion of the book. She spent a lot of time with healers, who were interesting characters. Unfortunately, she also found “love” with a Brazilian man, Felipe. Oh, Liz, when will you ever learn?!

I found this book to be so very annoying. Gilbert appears to be (based on her writing) the most self-centered, self-indulgent, silly person on this planet. So whiny! I cannot even begin to list my objections to this book or its author.

Obviously, I cannot recommend this book to anyone. Ever.

1/4/10