Hello everyone!
I think there's not a person who hasn't heard the three sacred words 'pray, read, love' at some point in their lives. And the movie adaptation with Julia Roberts in the lead was a huge hit, to say the least.
But let's talk about the book. I'm a bit of a bookworm, and I love getting to know a book in its physical form first. I'm guilty of borrowing books from the library and devouring them in one sitting. But this book just sat on my shelf for a month, untouched. I kept thinking 'not now', 'not the right time', 'I want something more interesting'.
By a twist of fate, I ended up in the hospital for a stay, and my husband packed my bag with this book in it. I started reading it reluctantly, resisting something unknown. But once I finished it, I understood and thanked my lucky stars for not opening it sooner.
This book needs to be read at the right time and in the right place to truly appreciate its greatness. I just wasn't there yet in my life.
ANNOTATION
By thirty, Elizabeth Gilbert had it all - a husband, a country house, a successful career - but... After a divorce, depression, and another failed love affair, she realized all her expectations about herself were wrong.
To find herself again, Elizabeth makes a radical decision: she sells everything, breaks up with everything she loves, and embarks on a year-long solo journey around the world...
This book is divided into three parts: Book one: Italy, or 'What's for dinner?' or 36 stories about finding pleasure.Book two: India, or 'Come on in,' or 36 stories about finding faith.Book three: Indonesia, or 'Things are different even in my pants,' or 36 stories about finding harmony.ITALY
I'll start with Italy, a country where Elizabeth Gilbert, the main character and author, goes after a tough divorce. A land of pleasure, good food, and sex. Italy will be different for everyone. I was drooling over the food descriptions, and I even wanted to learn Italian to chat with locals like a true Italian. It was awesome to explore Rome with her and enjoy the ride.
But soon Elizabeth realizes that constant entertainment is taking her away from the real purpose she started this journey for. And she's still plagued by vague fears and doubts about the divorce and her relationships with her ex-boyfriend and ex-husband.
INDIA
Things aren't as good as they seem from the outside. Inside, Elizabeth is struggling with intense feelings of loneliness and self-doubt, not knowing herself in this world. It's time to take control. In search of herself and her place in life, she heads to an ashram in India. Living there for months, she learns to listen to her inner voice, to balance her body and mind.
This is my favorite part, which gave me humility and taught me to accept the situation that landed me in the hospital. Accept and let go. Enjoy each day of life as it's given to me. The book also explains how to meditate correctly to awaken the kundalini energy.
As I continued reading, Elizabeth found her faith, faith in herself, and that gave her the confidence to stand on her own two feet, without needing men to support her, because she had herself, her female identity, and that was her support and her biggest anchor.
INDONESIA
To solidify the results of her spiritual growth, Elizabeth traveled to Indonesia, to the famous island of Bali. There, we were in for detailed descriptions of the traditions and customs of the native Balinese people, new friends, and a new love.
I get it, this is the third and final part, but something was missing for me. There was too much about Bali, her friends, and not enough about her thoughts and her spirituality. A lot of attention was given to her new relationships, and I'm glad she's found someone worthy, but I hope she doesn't lose herself in this man's arms, like she has so many times before. She's just starting to understand that she doesn't need a man to be happy, and then, BAM! She gets into a relationship.
MY THOUGHTS
I liked it, and I should have expected that. After all, I'm the heroine of this story, too - sometimes I don't know where life will take me. My story is similar. I went through a painful breakup, and that led me to kundalini yoga and meditation. It helped me find my footing again, regain my confidence, feel beautiful and strong-willed, and tap into my femininity and unspent love.
That's why the theme of faith and spirituality resonated with me. Not even faith, per se - everyone chooses who to pray to. For me, there's no specific image of God; He's one. When I pray, I address the universe, and I feel like it hears every word, even if it's just a whisper.
This book isn't easy to read, despite its seemingly light, positive message. I found myself getting lost in the narrative. I'd focus on the descriptions of the island of Bali, only to drift back to the story's roots. I'd get lost in my thoughts, floating in the clouds.
I've got to be honest, this book isn't for everyone. I'd say it's definitely not for the casual reader looking to pass the time. My mind was craving something more, and it delivered. That's why I put off reading this book for so long – it needs to be read at the right time and in the right place to really sink in.
FINAL VERDICT
I'd highly recommend Elizabeth Gilbert's 'Eat, Pray, Love' to anyone looking for a guide to finding themselves and their place in life. It's like a manual for organizing your soul and leaving chaos behind. Don't treat it like a light read – this book will get under your skin if you're ready to face the depths of your own heart...
'If you love controlling your life, work on your thoughts. Thoughts are the only thing worth controlling. Forget about the rest. Because if you can't master your own mind, you're in for a world of trouble.'
My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️