2008 Woodie Awards
Eat, Pray, Love, Read
Esme Mazzeo
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Life!
While eating should be pretty high up on everyone's "to do" list, and love should always be a welcome addition, the issue of prayer is a sensitive one in this country. For this reason, one might be hesitant to pick up a title called "Eat, Pray, Love" no matter what list it tops.
However, Elizabeth Gilbert captures the reader's attention from the very first line of the her novel, gripping you within an enthralling story that does not let it go until the very end, and she makes one question their priorities in life and reexamine exactly what is important and why.
In her memoir, Gilbert relives a journey she took to Italy, India, and Indonesia in order to pursue desire, spirituality and a balance between the two.
Her story starts with heartbreak so severe she is compelled to pray to a God she has never spoken to before, and ends in Indonesia, with balance. Here the power of prayer is tested, along with a determination and willingness for one to make her life work in this new place.
Along this ambitious trip, she meets Richard, a middle aged man from Texas in an ashram in India, and regrets her vow of celibacy when she meets Giovanni, her language teacher and student, in Italy. Thus, she is tested once again, as priorities shift and reshape.
Each person Elizabeth meets teaches her an inspiring lesson which she relates to the reader with humor and incredible insight. The reader will begin to question his or her own life, and whether he or she is too complacent and safe. Perhaps a little change is good - introspection is good for the soul. The reader will be amazed by the transformation the author makes from a young woman searching for answers on her bathroom floor to a woman at peace.
At the risk of sounding cliché, one does not have to spend a dime to travel the world with Elizabeth Gilbert, nor grow into a stronger, more experienced person along the way.
This book is highly recommended to anyone with questions about life, love, their personal place in the world, the pursuit of happiness, as well as anyone interesting in seeking a new world perspective.
However, Elizabeth Gilbert captures the reader's attention from the very first line of the her novel, gripping you within an enthralling story that does not let it go until the very end, and she makes one question their priorities in life and reexamine exactly what is important and why.
In her memoir, Gilbert relives a journey she took to Italy, India, and Indonesia in order to pursue desire, spirituality and a balance between the two.
Her story starts with heartbreak so severe she is compelled to pray to a God she has never spoken to before, and ends in Indonesia, with balance. Here the power of prayer is tested, along with a determination and willingness for one to make her life work in this new place.
Along this ambitious trip, she meets Richard, a middle aged man from Texas in an ashram in India, and regrets her vow of celibacy when she meets Giovanni, her language teacher and student, in Italy. Thus, she is tested once again, as priorities shift and reshape.
Each person Elizabeth meets teaches her an inspiring lesson which she relates to the reader with humor and incredible insight. The reader will begin to question his or her own life, and whether he or she is too complacent and safe. Perhaps a little change is good - introspection is good for the soul. The reader will be amazed by the transformation the author makes from a young woman searching for answers on her bathroom floor to a woman at peace.
At the risk of sounding cliché, one does not have to spend a dime to travel the world with Elizabeth Gilbert, nor grow into a stronger, more experienced person along the way.
This book is highly recommended to anyone with questions about life, love, their personal place in the world, the pursuit of happiness, as well as anyone interesting in seeking a new world perspective.