Pretend it's fiction and you will probably like it more. ( )

I'm so glad I bought this - I know I'll read it several more times. ( )

I have just returned from a five-day journey through Italy, India, and Indonesia. I also just finished one of my favorite books. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert is an amazing story that I didn’t want to put down. I felt as if I was traveling with her, and I was entranced by her, her writing, her story, her adventures, everything. I cannot speak highly enough about this book, and I truly doubt that any review I give of it will give you a good enough understanding of how great I think it is.

This book is made into three parts, each a personal journey the author undertakes to “examine one aspect of her own nature, set against the backdrop of a culture that has traditionally done that one thing very well.” So, she goes to Italy to study the art of pleasure, India for the art of devotion, and Indonesia for the art of balancing the two in her own life. Elizabeth (I can’t refer to her by her last name, I feel as if I know her too well – in fact, I think we could be friends, if we ever met) lets us see her at her worst moments as she goes through a heart-wrenching divorce, and takes us along while she travels in order to find herself.

The day I finished the section on Italy, I was craving Italian food the way only an Italian food junkie can crave it, and I was lucky enough to have a couple of friends who just happened to want to introduce my husband and I to an Italian restaurant in our new city. The section on India seriously wanted to make me start trying to meditate (me, who can’t even sit still for more than 30 seconds without becoming sickeningly bored). And while Indonesia has never really appealed to me as a tourist spot, I can understand exactly why she goes there and exactly why she loves it.

5 out of 5 stars. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. The moment I started it I knew it was going to become one of my favorites. You’ll fall in love with Elizabeth and marvel at her accomplishments, and when you’ve come to the last page, you’ll be begging to read more. By the way, when you’re done reading, go to the author’s website. Under the FAQ page, you’ll find pictures of some of her most memorable friends. ( )

Initially I found this book irritating. The Gilbert in the “Eat” section was so egocentric I felt like reaching into the book and shaking some sense into her. However as you progress into the book you begin to realise why she is so. The rest of the book takes you, with her on a path of personal growth and maturity. Persistence paid off and in the end I enjoyed the book and Gilbert herself. ( )

The book is a very honest account of one woman's struggles and her journey to finding happiness/ balance. It would be great to take a year off to focus totally on yourself as she did. ( )