Friday, July 16, 2010

Ate, Prayed, Loved and Got Bored

Am I the only one in the universe who is struggling with Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat Pray Love?" I wanted to read it for its supposedly zen like elements that would have been congruent with my current emotional state but I have to say that 44 pages in, it's more than a little disappointing. Please somebody, anybody, explain what is the hype about?

Maybe I am just not the white, mid-thirties American female divorcee who got married early and is looking to find love and meaning in an altered singular state who this book is seemingly pitched to. I kinda got there in my twenties, before marriage and I guess that's the purpose of this entire blog.Is it that for a person who has come to her own spiritual revelations this is a tad shallow and contrived?

I know it's not that this is a non-fiction written person narrative. I just think the voice sounds contrived and pseudo-spritual. Like she is trying too hard to be witty and deep and that takes away from the kind of flow I have when I come upon a good book. When I do come across a book worth reading, I am lifted into a fourth dimension from the first sentence. I should have known better. "I wish Giovanni would kiss me" is not exactly awe inspiring,

7 comments:

Tamanna said...

So true. The book did NOTHING for me!

Sheer Almshouse said...

Tamanna, I really don't know what is good writing anymore. The last really good read I had was "The Poisonwood Bible." (Barbara Kingsolver)

Anonymous said...

Never heard of the book, but is this now a movie? I think I saw some trailer with the name.
KatG

Francia M said...

Truth is Kari, our faith, our hardships and loves have helped us build our spiritual place earlier than some. I knew that book, that movie would probably do little for me. We are aged in some aspects. And that's okay. Past the hype, long time.

Azikiwe said...

...didn't think you read romantic blah ?!...

Sheer Almshouse said...

@KatG
Yes. I think Julia Roberts, Ryan Murphy and Javier Bardem may inject life into a lifeless script, so the movie should be better? (Said with hope).

@Harlem Mama
Trust me. I know what you mean. I just feel it is one of those things that have a form of godliness but deny the power thereof. I feel much more even from the magical realism of Gabriel Garcia Marques. Then again- apples and yam (not even oranges).

@Azio
The truth is I am in love with literature. This is just everything but. I am also in love with intuitive volumes that tap into something deeper. This is also everything but. I love to read but prefer either to read something that inspires the creative juices to paint like music, or material that provides knowledge and wisdom. Again- anything but.

yaadgyrl in philly said...

I like the idea of the story (taking a year off to do what you want, etc, ect) but the re-telling in book version was boring...I'm still stuck in Italy and after visiting Rome for less than 12 hours, not sure how re-telling that is boring! I am looking forward to the movie though...hoping it will be better...

 
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