I bought a copy of Eat, Pray, Love over a year ago, but lent it out, so I just finally read it. I lent it to my friend Debbie, who hated it. She couldn’t get through Italy with Liz. Debbie said that she couldn’t stand how self absorbed and whiny the author Elizabeth Gilbert wrote about her love journey. I had to laugh at that and make the comment ‘Right, cause I’ve never seen you be self absorbed or whiny about your love life’. Debbie feigned innocence, but we both know we have each been very self absorbed and very whiny many a time. I thought Liz was self absorbed and whiny in the Italy portion as well, but she wrote about it in a funny, self-deprecating way, so I enjoyed it. Plus, I love Italy. I was married in Italy and plan to go back in May with my family to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary. Liz’s description of the Italian food and the people brought back a lot of really good memories for me. I can’t wait to go back! The other comment made to me was, ‘Who can just drop everything and travel for a year?’ Well, I writer with now kids and no husband can that’s who. And what is wrong with that? That is how the rest of us get a taste of the world, from writers who decide not to work for the corporate giants and take a different path, and I thank them for that.
So, I went to see the movie just after I finished reading the Italy portion. I enjoyed the movie, but it is a renter in my opinion. I did enjoy the scenery. Thank goodness they filmed on location. I also appreciated that they did not ‘Glam Up’ Liz and actually had Julia Roberts wear appropriate travel clothing.
Back to the book and India. I think everyone should take some time out of their lives and learn to meditate and India seems like the place to do it. The world would be a much nicer place if everyone meditated on a regular bases. People wouldn’t take all their silly problems so seriously and would be able to get through their serious problems with more ease. I could totally relate to Liz’s mind chatter issues and her break through. Coincidentally, I am also planning a trip to India next year to attend my friends wedding. I am nervous and excited about traveling there, but Liz made it seem more doable for me.
Okay, I have no plans to go to Bali yet, but now I would love to go there someday. It sounds absolutely charming. I will not be looking for love there, I am already happily married, but would love to have some chill time on the beach hanging with the locals.
All in all I give the book Eat, Pray, Love 3.5 stars out of 5 and I give the movie 3 out of 5 stars.