Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Eat Pray Love (EPL) begins with Elizabeth Gilbert's admission about un-mendable cracks in her marriage, and her need to get away from the emotional wreck her life has become.
A fiercely independent, yet emotionally fractured Eliza finds herself on a suicidal mission; until, friends intervene and seek professional help for her.
Determined to find meaning to her wayward and unhappy existence, Eliza embarks on a one year journey to find pleasure (Rome), peace (India) and love (Indonesia).
This is all there is to this book.
*****
Having said that, EPL is one of the most well written books of recent times.
*****
Eliza's four month sojourns in Italy, India and Indonesia each, will resonate with every kind of reader.
After John Grisham's The Broker, EPL is another book on Italy, I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Staying across cities like Rome, Naples, Sicily, Venice, Bologna and more - Eliza creates a delectable experience and makes one feel more like a traveling companion, than a reader. This part of the book highlights her gastronomical indulgences and creates vivid and beautiful imagery of all things Italian. Her writing on the food she samples, is a delight for every foodie. It also helps that she is a seasoned traveler; and hence, infuses enough information on Italian people, culture, architecture and beauty - all, in a non clinical (Non Lonely Planet) sort of way.
She follows up Italy with a devotion filled stay at an Indian ashram. This part of her journey is supposed to be more inward looking. Her thoughts on religion and spirituality will draw you in a thoughtful discussion - irrespective of whether you are a believer or a skeptic. Having said this, her emotional upheavals also appear trite, a lot of time. Glorification of one's emotional tragedies isn't something I appreciate. However, I do think she did it with her eyes fixed on landing a Hollywood contract (Yeah, Julia Roberts stars in EPL's Hollywood version to be released later this year).
Eliza's stay in Bali, Indonesia is more of a relaxed and free wheeling vacation. Through this experience, she attempts to find love and companionship. The section also offers a very interesting look at the highly orthodox and suffocatingly structured Balinese society.
*****
EPL offers something to every type of reader - a food extravaganza, a look at a life in an ashram, and interesting tidbits for students of anthropology.
You will find many interesting anecdotes and facts on various people and their habits
I recommend Eat Pray Love - an elegantly narrated memoir.
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8 comments:
the book title seems like 'Love sex aur dhokha'.. :P
i *loved* the fonts on the cover of the book :)
@ashkd- hehe. Yeah, you have enough of LSD in the book :)
@Chintani- believe it or not; that was an important reason I bought the book :)
Very aesthetically done cover.
oh.. thats why you bought the book.. ahem.. ;-) i respect your recommendation of the book.. :P
sounds good. Its a chick book?
@allthecrap - Yes, in a way, it is. However, if, you can keep her whinny ways at bay; it's quite an enjoyable read on cultures, food and spirituality.
Cover page is very good! Abt the book...hmm...At some parts of the book i felt the author is a crazy woman!
@Anon - Hello Anon! Agree, the book does appear filmsy at times and the author does sound crazy/creepy.
Thanks for stopping by.
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