Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India and Indonesia

Eat, Pray, Love has the potential to open the reader's mind with regards to questions of faith, religion, and identity. The memories of Gilbert's travels are transparent and crystal clear. As each page is turned it is easy to believe with closed eyes that you are present alongside her during this poignant journey to healing, growth, and an improved life through a relationship with God.

The memoir begins in Italy with Gilbert's wishful desire for a kiss by her attractive Italian Tandem Exchange Partner. Readers are then taken to a low point in the author's life when she realizes that she is not happy in her life and that for her it is impossible to stay in that place - her marriage and in New York - both literally and figuratively. This thought grows into the reality that she would embark on a year long expedition to find her identity and spirituality in Italy, India, and Indonesia. Gilbert has an expectation of what she will learn as she delves into the culture of each country. She desires to learn about pleasure in Italy, devotion in India, and balance in Indonesia.

As she traipses through Italy, she is able to experience the tastes of Rome, Sicily, Florence, and other cities. Despite being a "flamingo" - an American fair, blonde-haired woman - she manages to learn Italian because of her dedication to the language, food, and culture. Her dedication to all three, especially to the language and the food can be likened to the commitment a junkie would have in securing his next fix.

In between Italy and India the author flies back to the States to pack more appropriately for the next stops in her journey. While in India, Gilbert talks about meditation caves, yoga practice, celibacy, and a burgeoning commitment to God. Surprisingly she met many engaging characters from all over the world at the Ashram. While she learned more about devotion she was able to accept and acknowledge her God-given gifts and the time spent there enlarged her devotion to God through prayer and meditation.

Finally, Gilbert lands in Indonesia where the Balinese know how to balance pleasure and devotion in equal measure. Gilbert is able to spend time with two healers - one an older medicine man who has lost his wife, the other a beautiful middle-aged single mother who has despite the culture, survived a painful divorce and adopted two young girls who are orphans. Through the time spent with each and a Brazilian businessman, Gilbert is able to learn even more about herself, her God, and about love.

Eat, Pray, Love demonstrates how empowering change - internal and external - can be. Gilbert's tone is affable and she doesn't take herself too seriously which means that readers can imagine what growth is possible in their own lives.

Interesting, insightful and honest. Easy to read. Women are often accused of being self-absorbed when they simply are living for themselves. Who else should she live for? Self-centered is not a bad thing, if the self is striving for truth and happiness. And look what she achieved in the process: a home for her Balinese friend, a book enjoyed and loved by many (even if reviled by some), enriching experiences for herself and many of the people with whom she formed bounds on her journey. Would her time have been better spent working for a corporation, having and caring for a baby she didn't want? Being true to yourself seems a better choice.

I thought "Eat, Pray, Love" was a beautifully written 3-tales-in-1. From the physical to the spiritual to an openness and flowing with life. I really enjoyed it. I could relate with the author. It was like listening to a good friend.

Had thought I would like to read this book, but once I read the premise reconsidered. Realized she wanted neither a child nor her husband...divorced and transformed into a hedonist. GROTESQUE! Spiritual? Baloney. Serve in a soup kitchen. Life isn't all about self. A little less navel gazing, PLEASE!

I did enjoy this book. I'm a fan of Travel and personal Memoirs. Although the author didn't manage to grip me passionately with her account of Italian life, Italian cuisine, or it's people she did reinforce the idea that the Italian language may just be the most beautiful language in the world. I had plans to learn either Italian or Spanish, quietly debating this decision for the last year or so (enough time to be fluent in either!). Of course one should learn Spanish, far more useful, but I just adore the sound of Italian. So after reading "Eat, Pray, Love" I loaded my Learn Italian CD onto my IPOD and I've been happily listening to it, and (talking back to it when solo) at night and even at the gym while on the treadmill.
Apart from the travel aspect of the book which was great reading and very interesting, I appreciated her telling of her personal journey through depression. Her account offers insight on self-help techniques for overcoming depression, and how she used them. I've recommended this book to friends since reading it.
Jacquetta George, author of Revitalize your body, mind and soul: Be inspired to get more out of life