I gave this book – Eat Pray Love a chance only last month and it has instantly become one of my favorites. It affected me so much that I wish I read it a couple of years ago when I was going through a tough time in life. A personal memoir, Elizabeth Gilbert talks about how she emerged from heartbreaks and depression to a confident self. A yearlong journey of self-discovery, this one uncovered many new emotional and knowledge nuggets to me.
Why Every Woman Must Read Eat, Pray, Love
Almost every young woman in their 20’s struggle to keep a fine balance in life. Whether it’s education, career, life goals or relationships, all that drama, sometimes, feels lonesome to bear. To the world, Elizabeth Gilbert had everything in life. But she wasn’t happy. She found herself in a mid-life crisis and divorces her husband. She suffered a terrible heartbreak again later and was left with extreme anxiety and depression that one day, she couldn’t take it anymore. What did she do? She prayed. It made her take that terrifying leap into the unknown- to explore, to find herself.
“It’s still two human beings trying to get along, so it’s going to be complicated. And love is always complicated. But humans must try to lov
Eat in Italy
“The only thing more unthinkable than leavin
Elizabeth Gilbert traveled to Rome to indulge in Italian food and the language she loved. After the initial excitement died down, however, she found herself alone in this land of love. This part of the story taught me the importance of letting go and reaching out when required. You need to take chances, put yourself out there and make friends with people who wouldn’t otherwise enter i your life.
Pray in India
“You are, after all, what you think. Your emotions are slaves to your thoughts, and you are the slave to your emotions.”
What I loved the most about this part of the book is that she didn’t preach or say that it is easy to become spiritual or seek divinity. Instead, she talks about her own hardships at doing so as she had a lot of bitter resentment towards her ex-husband. Elizabeth Gilbert’s spiritual journey makes you realize that holding on to the past is foolish for one’s growth. It is important to think good thoughts, forgive yourself and move forward.
Love in Bali
“A soul mate’s purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life.”
Elizabeth
“To find the balance you want,” Ketut spoke through his translator, “this is what you must become. You must keep your feet grounded so firmly on the earth that it’s like you have four legs, instead of two. That way, you can stay in the world. But you must stop looking at the world through your head. You must look through your heart, instead. That way, you will know God.”
There will always be one person who comes into your life unexpectedly, throws your life off a little bit, and ultimately challenges you in a way no one else can. Elizabeth was scared to open herself up for love again but ultimately took the leap. She is happy and is still with this man after all this time.
Elizabeth’s memoir is an elixir for those who have suffered heartbreaks and depression. It is a happy must-read which teaches you to forgive and learn from the mistakes of your past, embrace self-love, and find the right balance.
That’s all for now!
Have you read Eat Pray Love? Did you like the book?
I hope you’ll drop by tomorrow too.
My theme for the A to Z Challenge this year is ‘Celebrating the Bibliophile in me’, where I would share the books, authors and fictional characters that I love, loathe and tolerate.
Ah, there could be more!
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P. S: Do you want to treat yourself with a multitude of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes from the Spice Capital of the World? Check out my food blog for some tantalizing recipes from Kerala.
Vinitha says
I am in a love-hate relationship with this book. I loved it at first, then it got too much repetitive and dragging for my liking. Then finally after eating all that in Italy she got to India. It got interesting again. But now it’s dragging again with the meditations.
I will finish India in a couple of chapters I think. I am hoping for better days in Indonesia.
Your review sure is making me to read with a renewed energy, Shalini. 😊
Vinitha recently posted…Gratitude List – February
Shalini says
Oh, I agree about the dragging bit. It took me a whole month to finish reading this book. I believe, one should read the book a few chapters at a time, let it sink in and then read a few more. It sure is a slow read.
Abhijit says
I agree with you. A balance is needed between life and spirituality. One should not be reined in by past.
Abhijit recently posted…Eagle Eye #BlogchatterA2Z
Obsessivemom says
Reading you answer to Vinitha’s comment and I quite agree. Perhaps I should give it another chance and go slow with it. I got irritated with the way she went on and on about her own feelings, her own self all the while. I do realise you need to be in a particular mindspace to read and enjoy a book like this.
Obsessivemom recently posted…Me first? #BookBytes – 5
Suhasini says
I felt that this book dragged a little bit. But I am still in love with this book for the reason that she is able to do what she thinks and she lets her drift along with her thoughts. I wish every woman should get a chance like that to drift for a while to find her inner balance. She need not have to go to different places also, but has to be given her space to achieve this
anupriya says
What I beautiful write-up for the book. I picked up this book last year at the bookchor sale. And cant wait for my reading queue to move towards picking this one up
Mayuri Nidigallu says
I read this book in one go when I was single. Loved it then.
Recently picked it up again, with fond memories. Couldn’t get myself to read it at all!:))
Namratha says
I loved the book though Italy was my favorite part. I would love to indulge in food. Going to start reading the book again this weekend!
Namratha recently posted…E for Nissim Ezekiel, my poem: The beauty parlour lady #AtoZChallenge #BlogChatterA2Z #NaPoWriMo
Shilpa Gupte says
I haven’t read the book, but I have seen the movie twice and loved it. And, I completely admire Elizabeth Gilbert! A perfect author to write about!
Manas Mukul says
A must read – Kudos to you to choosing it. I really love the soulmate quote.
#ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Reema D'souza says
I read this book a few years ago towards the end of my college life. It took my a while to read it because initially I felt that it was a drag. Then I’d pick it up and read a few pages at a time while my usual reading time was spent reading some other book. I think this book takes some time read and let it sink in. But once I read this, I loved the book. A few things were so relatable and yeah I always felt the urge to travel after reading that book! Different places give different perspectives!
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Soumya says
My best friend swears by this book, but I could not relate to it at all 🙁
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Lata Sunil says
i haven’t read the book yet. But your review is tempting me to try this one.
zainab says
I have not read this book. I so want to.
In fact, I’m rekindling my love for read ing.
vidhya thakkar says
Haven’t read this book! Adding in my TBR
Geetika says
Given the state of mind I’m having off late, I really think I need to pick this one up. Just wondering if the writing part of it is too preachy? Coz then I doze off if the book becomes more of a lecture and less of narration.
Thank you for sharing this one. I’m intrigued by the story so far.
Cheers
Random Musings says
This is one of those books I keep telling myself I should read, even though it’s not really my kind of thing as everyone raves about it. Then I look at my TBR pile and wonder if I should read it just because everyone else has. It’s a dilemma haha
Debbie
Shalzmojo says
You have summed it up so well Shalini; I can see how much you have related to this book. It was the same with me and I love watching the movie version of it a lot!
Siddhi says
When someone tells me about this book I always make it a point to say that I love eat and pray part more it’s beautiful
Shalini says
It’s truly difficult to pick the favorite parts for sure 🙂