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 enlarge | Author: Elizabeth Gilbert
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Category: Book
Buy Used: $4.25
Avg. Customer Rating:  1624 reviews
Sales Rank: 198344
Format: Import
Media: Paperback
Pages: 352
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
ISBN: 0747586640
EAN: 9780747586647
ASIN: 0747586640
Publication Date: 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Condition: clean text, solid copy; scuff marks to cover
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| Customer Reviews:
 A Relaxing Read August 14, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
I had put off reading this book for a long time because the title turned me off. One day I decided to read it since it was summer and I had some extra time. From the first page, I was hooked. I was so surprised to find the book a delightfully humorous memoir of Gilbert's year finding herself. There is no preaching and I found lots of depth amidst the humor. She is one lucky woman to have had the opportunity to spend a year traveling as she did. There is so much that I could identify with and am very glad that I bought the book and read it. I know it will be a book I read again and again. That is quite something since I was initially reluctant to read it.
 Complete disappointment August 14, 2008
4 out of 5 found this review helpful
I very much wanted to love this book, but it just didn't happen for me. Perhaps it was all the hype that originally raised my expectations. I had a difficult time remaining interested in the book and I found that toward the end, I was skipping sections just to be done with it, which defeats the purpose of a good read. The writing was not captivating, it was merely average. Elizabeth Gilbert's writing style is very matter of fact, with tongue in cheek humor and joking style comments. It's a style effective for some stories, but I don't think it was effective for a book about a woman in search of happiness, love & balance; in essence, spiritual insights. I found her attempt at humor to be distracting. The book starts off good, as the author realizes her life is not working. But as we venture into her travels in Italy, the writing goes flat. I expected more robust and beautiful writing about a place as sensual and beautiful as Italy. The chapters about India were better than those on Italy and Indonesia. I appreciated the author's honesty about her struggles with meditation & trust. It's difficult to imagine that most women going through ugly, painful divorces (I have known several), suffering from depression and self-esteem issues would have had the liberty and means to run off on an all expenses paid, one year sabbatical spanning 3 countries. It was a difficult story line to relate to. The story line that I found very annoying was the fact that the author is so admittedly intoxicated by men, never having gone very long without having one. While she strived for independence, I never felt that she really got there, especially when you consider that by page 294 she was once again, "involved." I was touched by the story line in which the author demonstrated wonderful generosity to help her friend Wayan. Still, generosity doesn't equate to good writing. I'f I hadn't gotten bored with the story line I would have at least given it 3 stars, but rushing through the end of a book just to have it be over and done with is a 2 star book in my opinion. Overall, I did not feel that this was a beautifully written, spiritual quest for a woman seeking independence.
I'm Jealous August 13, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
This has been one of the best "spiritual" books I have read in a long time. Elizabeth Gilbert perfectly articulated what it feels like to be lost, to want God and peace more than anything else in the world and the journey in finding that. Her humor was wonderful and I'm jealous of her writing style as I believe it was exquisite. I don't know why people have even criticized this book unless they were jealous for other reasons - like not having her life or being a wonderful best selling author. The book was a wonderful balance of humor, insight and information.
This is a book will reread again and again. Thanks Elizabeth Gilbert for sharing this with us all.
 Eat, Pray, Love August 13, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Gilbert's telling of her journey with such open truth and unfailing sincerity that calls you to look with clarity at yourself and not just be a bystander to her or your own life. Because Gilbert shares so deeply, it is a book that you will read and then instantly share with another. I also recommed other great book about love I Love You. Now What?: Falling in Love is a Mystery, Keeping It Isn't
I can read this book a million times and not grow tired of it! August 13, 2008
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book looked interesting and intriguing, and I love reading books about peoples travels, so I decided to give it a try, but bought it as an audiobook. I think the people who think the author is whiney and self-absorbed should try listening to her narrate the story herself, because i'm pretty sure it wont sound that way, like it apparently does in print. Anyway I absolutely loved the book. the author was vulnerable in her open lonliness and desperation, giving the book a very relatable and bittersweet rawness. It was also funny, insightful, and warm, with a sweet and uplifting tone. Awesome read! :)
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