I finally finished Eat Pray Love. I say finally because it was really painful to get through. I laugh at the thought because this wasn't my first time reading this book. I have come to the realization, that I don't care how much Oprah loves this book, I will never Love it.
I devoured the first 3rd, the first 116 pages or 36 chapters of this comically witty book. The author, Elizabeth Gilbert, writes first person in her own adventures around the world. First stop, or the first third that I love, she visits Italy and writes about eating and learning the romantic Italian language. One of my favorite parts, Elizabeth writes about going to a soccer match with some friends. She sits and listens to the "gorgeous flower-chain of curses" as the fans yell at each other and the teams.
But it takes a turn after Italy that I can only describe as painful. Elizabeth visits an ashram to find God. It's painful to listen to as she is chanting a Sanskrit in an Indonesian cave with practiced yogis when I myself have already found God and religion and I didn't have to take such drastic measures. I do like the idea of meditation and the act of praying and then listening for answers and find our own inner peace. I counted the pages and chapters until I was done with her adventures in India only to have to succumb to the last third of her book.
In the last part, Elizabeth travels to Bali to help an old medicine man. I like him, I like when she visits him. But there was a whole chapter talking about *should I say it* um... masturbation. I just took my black pen and crossed it out. More like scribbled, so in case I chose to read it again, I will be reminded to just skip this inappropriate part. I also enjoyed the end. I don't know if it was because it was the end, or if I enjoyed her now balanced life. Her commentary was a little more mature and well written.
To recommend this book to a friend, I would have to say maybe. I enjoyed some parts, and I underlined some good thoughts and ideas. I didn't come away feeling spiritually uplifted by any means. I have heard of groups of book loving people using Eat Pray Love as the center of their book club world. This is the one they always turn to. Well, In Mormon world I think that book would be Twilight. *Speaking of...June 30 is coming up*
Easy alfredo
13 years ago
4 comments:
Very interesting to hear your book review, and if I ever decide to read it, I'd love to read your version (with cross outs) so that I can enjoy it more! However, I probably will skip the book and go see the movie in August. (I don't read that fast and usually don't finish books) I hope it's better to watch as a movie! That is of course if it's not rated R. :)
I have pretty much given up on Opera's book club, 2 I never finished (that is saying a lot since I usually force myself to finish) and many more that I read the descriptions and just say "what"?
So would you do me a favor if you're looking for a fun read, read The Hunger Games (3 book series but the 3rd isn't coming out until august i think). It's like twilight meets gladiator...and it's good! There is a Jacob/Edward love story. I would love to know what you think when you're done!
I have heard good things about Hunger Games too. And Twilight will always be where I turn...there were only about 2 dozen of all my books that I kept out while the rest were stored for the NEXT move, and the whole Twilight series was among them. Have I ever thanked you for telling me about them? Thanks, Steph. You changed my life. :)
And I agree, sometimes I wonder how come I got so lucky to just fall into a family that taught me the gospel from the beginning. Of course I still have sought God for myself, but the proverbial road map had excellent directions.
And I have come to the conclusion that Opera's an idiot when it comes to books, just like Monica. I'm stearing clear of her recommendations, from now on.
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