By: Beth Pelleteri
Posted In: Entertainment
Photo credit: Amy Saramago
EAT PRAY LOVE by Elizabeth Gilbert’s book cover
Photo credit: Amy Saramago
Author of EAT PRAY LOVE
As an avid and enthusiastic reader, this book was hard to put down. Before picking this novel seemed to slide nicely into the “chick-lit” genre that would create a seemingly great combination with a little Ben & Jerry’s on the side. That couldn’t be a more false statement. Gilbert does an amazing job with keeping the reader with her throughout the novel. She manages three drastically different cultures mixed into her already high-strung lifestyle. Recently divorced and fighting constant bouts of depression, Her novel is infused with such wit and intelligence that it keeps the reader wanting more. It is hard to find a more likeable author. Her memoir is a frank and honest portrayal of her personal journey of self-discovery.
The protagonist in the novel is none other than Gilbert herself. She decides at the midpoint in her life, at age 34, to quit her New York journalist job, leave her friends and family, and spend a year traveling through Italy, India, and Indonesia. “I wanted to explore the art of pleasure in Italy, the art of devotion in India and, in Indonesia, the art of balancing the two” (Gilbert). Her trip was financed by an advance on the book she had planned to write, and “Eat, Pray, Love” is the final product. Eat, Pray, Love is the story of a woman trying to heal herself away from the severe emotional and spiritual crisis that has become her life; Gilbert suggests, on several occaisons that she was contemplating suicide. Gilbert has a way about her that allows the reader to be captivated and enlightened with every page that is turned. Her accounts are not only funny but just plain enjoyable to read. Even though we all know how the story is ends, we still go along for the beautiful ride through one woman’s hope for survival.
