Eat Pray Love: the book
So, I bought into the hype that is Eat Pray Love, and bought this book to devour on my recent ski holiday. But alas, if only I could have devoured it. I really struggled to stay focussed on Elizabeth Gilbert's journey of self-discovery, partly because I was in a gorgeous hotel at Mt Buller with plenty of distractions, and partly due to the self-indulgent whining and 'poor me' attitude of the author.
It is hard to imagine that this book is a truthful and spontaneous life adventure. It gives the impression that the whole idea of this book has been based on a planned and calculated project, for it comes across like it could have been an arrangement with the publisher. In general, it is no secret that westerners go to Italy for food, to India in search for spiritual enlightenment, and to Bali for love affairs; nothing mysterious and deep about that. However, portraying a planned designer book project as a series of unanticipated and blessed events and fortunate experiences with serendipitous people? One can only reflect how unoriginal and convenient it must have been for a journalist to take off for one year and divide the time almost proportionately in these places to write a premeditated script. Sometimes I feel that readers are so gullible and such an amazingly profitable target for book publishers, shame on us.
However, Ms Gilbert spins this tale with vivid, descriptive language and a comfortable style. The messages about faith, belief systems and the universality of religion are topical and interesting, even for an atheist like me. I found the book to be humorous and I'm certainly willing to lend it to friends, because their journey could do with some introspection, and man, this book has some serious introspection! There are lovely messages about tolerance for differences and embracing bits and pieces of every culture we encounter, and a few great quotes. I particularly liked what Elizabeth said one morning after waking and being so fearful and doubtful about a positive future, somewhere, anywhere: “This morning, instead of fighting it, I just stopped.”
If you are interested what all the fuss is about, do read it. Eat Pray Love is not the world's worst written book (hello, Breakfast at Tiffany's), but it's no Schindler's List either. As long as you aren't expected anything other than a fluffy self-discovery and love story thinly disguised beneath self-help writing, you'll love it.
-UPDATE-
I am going to see a preview screening of Eat Pray Love with a group of gorgeous girls tomorrow evening, and will report back with my comparative findings. No matter what, I'll have a great night, I'll be out with seven super girlfriends, we'll be sipping Italian bubbly and nibbling on antipasti before heading to the cinema for a special screening. Ciao!
Posted by Katy Potaty CUPCAKE LADY at Wednesday, September 29, 2010 1:34 PM 
Categories: real life/foibles, fabulous friends, Books/Movies
Categories: real life/foibles, fabulous friends, Books/Movies
Sounds very interesting, can't wait to hear what you think of the film!
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