Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 910.4
EAN: 9780143038412
ISBN: 0143038419
Label: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 352
Publication Date: 2007-01-30
Publisher: Penguin (Non-Classics)
Studio: Penguin (Non-Classics)

This beautifully written, heartfelt memoir touched a nerve among both readers and reviewers. Elizabeth Gilbert tells how she made the difficult choice to leave behind all the trappings of modern American success (marriage, house in the country, career) and find, instead, what she truly wanted from life. Setting out for a year to study three different aspects of her nature amid three different cultures, Gilbert explored the art of pleasure in Italy and the art of devotion in India, and then a balance between the two on the Indonesian island of Bali. By turns rapturous and rueful, this wise and funny author (whom Booklist calls “Anne Lamott’s hip, yoga- practicing, footloose younger sister”) is poised to garner yet more adoring fans.

Customer Rating:
Summary: An Insult to Thinking Women Everywhere
Comment: Sadly, the fact that this book is by a woman mostly aimed at women is embarrassing. This book was planned by the publisher and by the author; it was no true journey of the soul but more like a carefully crafted publicity angled journey.

Gilbert has a problem with the Bible, but easily accepts the doctrines (teachings) of her Guru, the Balinese medicine man, and others, including written Hindu scripture like the Upanishads. The only doctrine Gilbert has any problems with is that which denies that there are many ways to God or teaches that there is only one way to God. This is what she is talking about.

Let us consider where you end up if you think doctrine doesn't matter. It can take you to a place where there are no distinctions between anything because there are no authoritative boundaries between what is good or evil, or what is true or false. Everything is determined subjectively. This is exemplified in the medicine man in Bali, Ketut, who thinks all religions are "same-same," and heaven and hell are ultimately the same, as well. In fact, he says that hell is love. This is even startling for Gilbert, although she believes everyone is divine. So if that is true, and if there is a hell, then it would be full of divine beings as well. No distinction between good and evil means that good and evil don't ultimately matter.

Gilbert gives the idea that everything is spiritual as you long as you "feel" it. This book exalts that which is shallow and self-absorbed, not what is truly spiritual.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Love Hate Relationship
Comment: I was loaned this book from a neighbor who also told me that the author was a selfish, self absorbed sorry excuse for a woman...but she also added it is very interesting because of her travels...Thus began the love hate relationship for this book...
The authors style is witty but sometimes on the verge of droning. You want to read more about the mozzarella but then you endure through the self pity. The descriptions of Rome are enchanting as are the thoughts of leaving your life to simply learn a new language and indulge in a romantic culture, but then thoughts of ex-boyfriends, ex-husbands ,depression and then the wakeup call of "oh yeah I actually have a real life and it would be practically impossible strike that IMPOSSIBLE to actually be able to take 4 months and move to some place of my wishes just because I can't take it anymore"....
O.K. enough of the self pity in the book I think you get that already...I give it four stars simply because it allowed me to escape to that place that would be fun and maybe I have dreamt of, but I know I'll never do, nor want to do. She does explore those selfish ambition thoughts that creep into the mind of any young woman under the pressures of modern day society and she actually justifies them - well at least in her own mind she does. The book contains delightful insights and tips into cultures I will only dream of visiting and in the end I think she makes the reader grateful for your own normal or maybe not so normal life...At least maybe more normal than hers anyway. It would be interesting to see if her acquired self-peace actually sustains through a relationship on four different continents...somehow I wouldn't be surprised to find out in the end of her life or at least her current relationship she finds herself back on the bathroom floor sobbing.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Not for everyone but highly recommended for some of you!
Comment: I really enjoyed Eat Pray Love. I was shocked by how open the author was about her personal story. It's obviously not for everyone (see the range of reviews here) -- I think people who identify with some of the author's experiences will enjoy it more. I recommend giving it a try, if you do connect with her you'll probably find the story, and its lessons, very appealing and maybe even life-changing.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Hysterical, Insightful, A Great Read
Comment: This book was suggested to me by my friend, since she had recommended it I was expecting a story that I would enjoy. Before I finished the third page, I was in love. Gilbert's voice as a narrator is one of the most charming and engaging I've ever encountered, she shares with you her personal quest in such a way that also offers insight into your own life. I borrowed the book from the library first, but ordered it online soon after because this is definitely a book I'm going to want to read again.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Great book
Comment: This is a great book. It is hard to put down. Easy read. I love traveling to Italy, Indonesia and India with Elizabeth.

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