Book Review: 'Eat Pray Love' by Elizabeth Gilbert

✰✰✰✰ When divorce throws Elizabeth Gilbert into chaos and depression, she seeks an alternate route to finding her confidence. Instead of pills, she turns to travel and takes a year off from her regular life to explore. As she travels through Italy, India, and Indonesia she discovers that she’s okay with being alone for the first time in her adult life. The pursuit of pleasure, devotion, and a balance between the two, leads Gilbert on unexpected adventures. You’ll laugh and cry along with her as she seeks to improve herself and be at peace with her choices.

The Bottom Line: There’s something appealing about travel memoirs. Maybe it’s the setting or the descriptions of exotic places and cultures that suck people in. In the case of this bestseller, the author visited three very different countries and had three very different experiences, each benefitting her in its own way. Along the way she met several engaging characters and fell in love. Gilbert’s memoir will appeal to others going through and healing from a difficult divorce. And even though the book seems geared towards women, men will appreciate Gilbert’s observations as well. 

Book Club Notes: On a scale of 1 - 5, with 5 being the highest, our group gave the book an average of 4.25 stars. On the other hand, the movie paled in comparison to the book, garnering just 3.5 stars. 

The movie is rated PG-13 with an all-star lineup of celebrities featuring Julia Roberts, James Franco, & Javier Bardem. It is approximately 140 - 146” long depending on which version you watch. We enjoyed the beautiful scenery and locations of the film. However, much of the author’s deep personal thoughts were lost in the movie. The movie simplified the events; plus, conflict was added into the movie to create interest and tension.

Meanwhile, the book was more philosophical and diary-like. Generally, we enjoyed the details and learned a lot from this book. Unfortunately, several in our group got bogged down in the India section as there was just a wee bit too much about the challenges of meditation.

Overall, this was a fun discussion. Recommended for groups that enjoy different settings, thoughtful writing, and a little bit of lighthearted romance.

Check out these resources for discussion questions: 

LitLovers & Travel Books and Movies.

On a side note, this was our first HYBRID discussion event (via Zoom & in-person). Although it’s not ideal, this challenging set-up is doable. Anyone attempting to host a hybrid book discussion will need additional support in the way of tech help both before and during the meeting. Challenges included everyone being able to hear each other and struggling with an echo through the sound system. It’s a work in progress.

Details: Eat Pray Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert. 10th-Anniversary Edition published by Riverhead Books in 2016. 64th printing. 352 P. ISBN: 978-0-14-303841-2

Book Review: 'Ordinary People' by Judith Guest

✰✰✰✰✰ Cal and Beth Jarrett are the All-American dream couple. With successful careers and two outstanding teen sons, the Jarretts are comfortable in their lives. Unfortunately, life can change in an instant. After a tragedy leaves the family with only one son, the Jarretts must learn to move forward, but how? The loss of their oldest, Buck, is too much for them to process as each turns inwards. 

Without the support and attention of his parents, Conrad, the remaining son, attempts to take his life. The aftermath of this second tragedy is an even bigger struggle for Cal and Beth as they continue to deal with the loss of Buck. As Conrad returns to high school and tries to navigate his classes, Cal & Beth are at odds with how to help. Will they be able to find the support they need to heal as a family or will the aftermath of tragedy be too much for the Jarretts? Whether you are reading this book for the first time or the tenth time, the ending will haunt you.

The Bottom Line: Although first published in 1976, this novel still deserves a place on your bookshelf. It's a quick read that immediately connects and stays with the reader. Guest has an innate understanding of the internal dialogue people experience when faced with personal loss, grief, and depression. Each character expresses their grief differently, and Guest did a superb job tackling a tough subject. Highly recommended for teen, new adult, and adult readers. This novel would be perfect for discussion groups. Additionally, this book was made into a movie with a stellar cast you won't want to miss.

Details: Ordinary People by Judith Guest. Paperback published by Penguin Books in 1982. 272 p. ISBN: 0-14-006517-2