Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything

This is supposed to be a journey to fight the ego. However, we find nothing but long descriptions of how she feels, and why, and events that happened to her... It's too self-centered, I'd say. I was expecting more depth when it comes to her spiritual findings. However, I'd say it's a good summer read. Not too difficult to read, easy language (best-seller-like) and entertaining most times.

If you have resisted reading this book until now-- think again. Perhaps like me you expected it to be too prone to flights of mysticism or too intimately confessional or for any other pre-conceived notion. Parts of it will likely justify your fears - I had to spin a very personal definition of `God' and `pray' to not be constantly brought up short by those notions. But Eat, Pray, Love is one of those rare books which delivered double returns on each pause its text gave me. Laughter, tears or insights arrive in pairs or all three at a time; nothing is one dimensional; everything is open to interpretation. The journey Elizabeth Gilbert took is hers. Yet her book took me on a journey of my own, and though I could have done so in the comfort of my home, I happened to read while travelling. Perhaps that helped me build the distance I needed to see the relevance of her experience to my own dilemmas and aspirations. Elizabeth Gilbert delivers a memoir that did for me what Paolo Coelho's tales do in fiction: open a door into a place where life is larger than mere existence. Just for that I will re-read it again and again; I would recommend it to anyone with an open mind and a curious heart, and I would hope that men will not let the cover blurbs put them off. A book to judge by its effect rather than by its content.

This totally lived up to the hype I loved every page! Funny, warm, inspiring and uplifting. We can all relate to her experiences. I really enjoyed this and am passing on copies to friends and family to enjoy too - a fab summer read!

I read frequently and although I don't usually read 'memoir' type books I thought I would give this a try, indeed I was looking forward to it arriving. I have experienced real loss, love Italian food, have encountered God and have visited Bali recently, so you might think I would enjoy this book, but alas I did not. I made myself finish the book as I thought it might improve. It didn't. I failed to glean any life insights from it nor did I find it that humorous. How can you be crying on the bathroom floor for weeks/months on end unless you have experienced actual tragedy? A divorce after a few years with no children involved is not a tragic event. Pull your self together Gilbert. One of my friends is a single mother with three children, struggling to get by after divorcing her abusive alcoholic husband who hospitalised her. Another has severely disabled twins who need round the clock care. These women are not self indulgent and whiney they get on with it, with extreme fortitude and grace. If you are interested in a genuinely inspiring spiritual journey I would recommend 'Chasing the dragon' by Jackie Pullinger.

I was put off reading this initially as I had made the(rather judgemental)assumption that it was going to be self indulgent, mystical, preachy twaddle and not my kind of thing at all.When I did actually get round to reading it I became totally absorbed in her amazing description of both her physical and spirtual journey.Sure,there is a lot of navel gazing but it is written about in such a engaging, honest and open way - I particularly love the way she writes about the new friends she meets along the way.Definitely worth reading.

I can't believe I didn't find this book when it was first published - but things happen for a reason, and the book came to me when the time was right. A chance encounter with a Dutch woman I sat next to on the bus to Heathrow; she was surprised I hadn't read it - and then there it was on the bookshelf in a great backpackers in Cairns, just when I needed it. I, like many women, found this book to be a great inspiration for the difficult times: Liz Gilbert's attempts to find peace with herself and the world struck a chord with me. Her raw honesty about her emotions, her superb emotional intelligence, and her openness to tackling the hard bits - it all worked for me. And, like many other women, I have bought it for my friends, and recommended it to everyone else. Charming, insightful, adventurous, brave and resourceful - Liz can definitely come to my fantasy dinner party.

Was given this book as a present and I fancied reading it due to the imminent film release. Readable, but only just (hence two stars in lieu one); managed to perservere and fight my way through the first part in Italy but had to admit defeat following the arrival in India; maybe I'll finish it once I've read everything else on my bookshelf. At best, its a fairly dull account of a woman's travels following the break-up of her marriage.

I haven't finished this yet - but so far so good. The first part in italy I loved - as I am italian - it made me feel homesick and makes you really want to pack your bags go there. The second part in india was a bit of a struggle to get through. Too much on meditation!! However, I loved her view of things and how she makes you think about things happening in your own life. Sometimes we expect things to happen a certain way and they just don't or won't and we shouldn't beat ourselves up about it! I am enjoying the book and would be interested to see the film which has been made.

It was very easy to identify with her in the book...an identity seeking quest that we all need to venture on, before attaching ourselves to our life partners. She tells you to do what it takes to find your inner peace, so that you can be happy for the rest of your life. What I loved about the book was the discovery that everyone seek the answers to different questions. Some have a quiet mind already and do not need meditation or philosophy to reach God. Some do. Funny, witty and brave!

I absolutely LOVED this book! Yes she's self-absorbed but it's a fascinating, honest, heartfelt account of her journey, abnd it had me hooked from start to finish. I've just bought copies for all my friends too!