Book Review: Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat, Pray, Love – Elizabeth Gilbert

The back of the book says:

Elizabeth is in her thirties, settled in a large house with a husband who wants to start a family. But she doesn’t want any of it. A bitter divorce and a rebound fling later, Elizabeth emerges battered yet determined to find what she has been missing.

So begins her quest. In Rome, she indulges herself and gains nearly two stone. In India, she finds enlightenment through scrubbing temple floors. Finally, in Bali, a toothless medicine man reveals a new path to peace, leaving her ready to love again.

I had purposefully not watched the movie, as I always prefer to read the book first, and am now very interested as to how this movie unfolds.

That aside, it was always going to be a gamble as to whether a book that talks a lot about God (as in your own personal God, be it Allah, Jesus, Shiva...etc) would hold my attention as I am notorious for not being able to read about religious topics unless they are highly entertaining. And entertaining this was.

The author writes in such a way that the humorous anecdotes and conversations held throughout the book balance it effectively with the religious aspects. Being a true story based off her life, it is exceptionally well written and a joy to read. Even if you are not a practicing Yogi or have never sat with a medicine man in Bali everything is described in perfection with the aim being to bring about understanding of the anecdotes and text.

I found this book understandable and relatable in some instances. The talk about God is not religion specific so it applies to all and the teachings are sound and sustentative.

A great read and definitely worth the money spent on the book.