I got this review idea from the always-spunky Candice Walsh, who does 3-line book reviews on her site. I couldn’t contain myself to just 3 sentences, though, hence the 3 paragraphs…
If you’ve read my review of “Eat Pray Love” the movie, you’ll know that I walked out of the theater less than impressed. I felt the movie — while visually appealing — lacked passion. I just didn’t care about the characters very much, or what happened to them.
Everyone told me after that review, though, that I had to read the book; that it was so much better. I decided the book had to be better, since the movie was so lacking.
And, you know what? The book IS better.
To my surprise, Elizabeth Gilbert is actually a pretty engaging writer. The words flow nicely; the story is easy to read; and she’s actually funny at times.
But I still don’t think I’ll ever be reading this book again. As it was, it took me months — yes, months — to get through it. For me, it just wasn’t a page-turner.
Eat, Pray, Love: A Review in 3 Paragraphs
I think my problem with Eat, Pray, Love comes down to this: I just can’t identify with Liz Gilbert. While the “Eat” section did have me seriously considering moving to Italy to lose myself in the Italian language and get fat on pasta, I could not commiserate with the motivations behind Liz striking out on her own in a foreign country. I have never gone through a divorce. I have never suffered through dibilitating depression. And I would never have the money to flit off to Europe for months on a whim.
While I enjoyed imagining the ruins of Rome and the marvels of Napoli pizza, my interest level in Liz’s story lessened considerably in the “Pray” section. This middle section dragged — so much so that I gave up on it for weeks. I grew tired of reading about Liz’s anxiety, how much she missed her post-divorce-boyfriend David, and her tangents about meditation and the tingly, electric sensation that would run up her spine as she said ‘hi’ to God. She may have been on a spiritual journey here, but I just couldn’t get into it.
Things (thankfully) picked, though, up when she moved on to Indonesia in the “Love” section. Here, Liz has fun getting to know Ketut the old medicine man, Wayan the local healer, and Felipe, who becomes her new love interest. This may have been my favorite section for many reasons — because the characters became more vibrant; because Liz seemed so much happier; because it meant the end of the book. I don’t know. The ending seemed to come almost abruptly, and, while it wasn’t a flat-out “happily-ever-after,” it was close enough that it still left me feeling a bit unsatisfied. I’m all for girl power and using travel as a means for self-discovery and happiness, but it almost seemed too easy for Liz.
But, then again, maybe I’m just jealous.
.
So, would I recommend this book to others? Yes, probably. If you can push through the preachy middle section, the story isn’t bad, and Liz isn’t an unlikable narrator.
At the very least, perhaps it’ll stoke a bit of wanderlust in you. And I’m all in favor of books that can do that.
Want to read the book and decide for yourself? Buy it on Amazon!
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Have you read Eat, Pray, Love? If so, what was your opinion on it?
I have not read the book nor have I seen the movie. I can, however, understand why someone would need to get away from “life” to figure some things out. Most people I know agree with your assessment on the “pray” portion of the book.
Hmmm, still not sure I’ll pick it up as I hate books that take me months to get through and this one wasn’t even that thick!
Debbie Beardsley recently posted..Wine Tasting in Paris with O Chateau!
Plenty of people travel to get away from tough personal situations, or to re-evaluate themselves. I don’t really have a problem with her motivations. But I just wasn’t able to identify with her enough to ignore all the annoying parts where she was extra whiny and/or preachy.
I had never really planned to read the book, but, after seeing the movie, I decided to give it a chance. I’m glad I did, even though, like I said, I’d probably never read it again.
So funny I could TOTALLY identify with her situation and in fact my favourite part of the book was before she left the States. I remember her writing about how she kept putting off the age of having kids until she reached the age she promised her husband. But I’m about 10 years older than you and I think its common amongst the women I’ve met in their early thirties that are traveling.
Ayngelina recently posted..Am I happier after a year of travel
Yes, I think it does have a lot to do with my age; I’ve just barely graduated college, have not yet been married, and definitely have not even started thinking about kids. Maybe if I were 10 years older I would be able to identify with Liz a bit more. Maybe not. All I know is I wasn’t really able to right now!
I started reading Eat Pray Love while in Italy because it was left in my room by a student at my old host parent’s apartment. I had always been told I would love it. Perhaps it was that I was living in Italy at the time and with Italians, but I found her Italy section offensive. She really played on Italian stereotypes, especially when she talks about Sicily. I couldn’t read it after that but perhaps I will give it another go. However, like you say, I personally can’t relate to a divorced woman looking to find herself. The story seems a little trite.
Suzy recently posted..Traveler’s Block
I think a lot of people find the whole thing a bit trite; you’re not alone. She’s wealthy, she’s a bit whiny, she gets to travel to amazing places to “find herself”… Plus she went into it with a book deal already in tow. I don’t know if it’s something a ton of people would be able to identify with. But, then again, the book is a bestseller for a reason…
I still haven’t seen this movie, although I did read the book and I agree that it started out alright but began to drag on toward the middle. I identified with her wanting to make changes and travel but that was about it. I probably wouldn’t read it again and to be honest, I can’t even remember if I finished it the first time around.
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If I had to pick a word to describe most of this book, it might be “forgettable.” It’s not BAD, but it’s not something I’ll rave about to my friends. However, that’s just me. I know a lot of people love this book. It just wasn’t for me.
Personally I loved it, every page of it. It’s funny that I started reading it while I was traveling (not to Italy but still), and let her guide me through the places, thrills and pains. I don’t think she wrote this book for others to identify with her – unless I’m mistaken, this is a loose version of a memoir and I take my hat off in front of her. Naturally, if we had the money she had, we would also go as far as possible to recover ourselves, at least I know I would. At some point I really understood her, I understood what depression feels like having gone through that myself, but other than that it was entertaining for me. I don’t feel that she played on the stereotypes of Italians like Suzy said – I’ve been to Italy, I’ve met Italians and they are exactly like she described them.
So, besides the desire to travel to India and Bali, Liz gave me a great sense of direction, and shed light on some great topics, not to mention I found a mantra that totally resonates with me!
That’s great that you connected with to book so much, Joseph! I just couldn’t identify with her story well enough, but I know that that’s just me and my opinion. Obviously plenty of people are like you and loved every page of it, otherwise it wouldn’t be the huge bestseller that it is!
I saw the movie after reading the book, the book is fantastic!
A must to read!
I did the audio-book version of this which I’m sure was greatly enhanced by the fact that Gilbert was the narrator. I agree with this review for the most part.
This book was the little push I needed to break out of my mundane life and travel on a shoestring for most of the last two years. For that I am more than thankful.
I haven’t seen the movie – wouldn’t want it to ruin the book for me.
BTW – this book/ phenomenon has made Ubud, Bali, Indonesia into a bit of a circus. That quaint little town described in EPL just doesn’t exist any more. Kind of a bummer.
That’s awesome that the book inspired you to travel!! I’d guess you’re not alone, as the book definitely made me want to go to some of these places.
It’s really sad that the aftermath of the book has more or less ruined Ubud, though.