Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love, (2006)
“In the end, maybe it’s wiser to surrender before the miraculous scope of human generosity and to just keep saying thank you, forever and sincerely, for as long as we have voices.”
Eat, Pray, Love is a unique balance between autobiography and other worldly story. Gilbert depicts her pursuit of greater self-love and understanding in a year long journey. As she travels to Italy, India and Indonesia the objective of her stay in each location is contingent on the most pervasive cultural ideal. The book is divided into three separate books with the first (Italy) focused on her discovery of pleasure, the second (India) on devotion and the third (Indonesia) on balance. While each section focuses on a different ideal the journey shows the gradual coalescence of these ideals. The focus on balance in Indonesia tying together the pleasure and devotion of the previous two sections. This book is as much about Gilberts own life journey as it is a love letter to travel and surrounding oneself in other cultures. The deeply spiritual nature of her experiences adds another layer to the messages and lessons of the book.
I came to Italy pinched and thing. I did not know yet what I deserved. I still maybe don’t fully know what I deserve. But I do know that I have collected myself of late – through the enjoyment of harmless pleasures – into somebody much more intact. (p.115)
As Gilbert reels from events in her life in the US her travel to Italy is the first step in her journey. A beautiful country full of wonderful foods and ancient cities her progress assimilating into particularly Roman culture is as entertaining as it is inspiring. Being early in the journey she depicts, this section covers a lot of darker moments coming to terms with where her life is at. Wonderfully presented is her learning of the Italian language and growth of friendships as well as cultural experiences such as the Rome derby between Lazio and Roma. She travels throughout Italy and this is her first major period of time outside of the US before. Gilbert presents this learning and adaptation in a relatable way that makes the reader cheer on her successes and lament in her suffering. The mouthwatering descriptions of gelato and stone-baked pizza makes you long for these local delicacies and is an introduction into a writing style that is so appreciative of everyday beauty. Even little things take on a new appearance when experienced in a different culture and country and this becomes a key theme throughout the book.
Learning to be present and enjoy an experience, slowing down and seeing everyday beauty are some of the lessons taken from the first section. Perhaps obviously Italy aligns with the “Eat” section of the books title. However, it is also about self-love and ultimately even with the sizable differences each location teaches slightly different forms of love and devotion.
India takes on the location for Gilbert’s closer spiritual love. In an Ashram she undertakes months in an almost ascetic lifestyle that encourages her to meditate, pray and show devotion to God. It is also significant that this is not a section preaching a connection to a specific religious image of God, but rather, everyone attaining a closer connection to their own vision of the divine.
“I believe that all the world’s religions share, at their core, a desire to find a transporting metaphor. When you want to attain communion with God, what you’re really trying to do is move away from the worldly into the eternal” (p.205)
Similar to her experience in Italy, Gilbert’s writing style lends itself to humor as well as struggle. Her interactions with Texan Richard are funny and intersperse periods of struggle with seeking her closer connection to the divine. The ascetic lifestyle is vividly depicted and is a fascinating insight into an experience that many will never undertake. While Italy allowed Gilbert to escape from the toils and painful past of her life in America, her time in India added a layer of complexity above the previous physical indulgence. In both sections she shows herself adapting to the new culture and becoming part of her local community. As suggested previously the reader will become enthralled in her progress and experiences. What is also a great addition throughout the book are pertinent stories for the experiences and culture of the places she stays that are equally entertaining, thoughtful and at times educational.
With Indonesia being the final section and focusing on “balance” it effectively wraps the two lessons from India and Italy and places pleasure alongside devotion. There is considerable attention to religious devotion but it simply takes a different flavor to that of her experiences in the Ashram.
“Happiness is the consequence of personal effort. You fight for it, strive for it, insist upon it, and sometimes even travel around the world looking for it. You have to participate relentlessly in the manifestations of your own blessings.” (p.260)
As the story dovetails into a contented ending and the conclusion of her own journey of self-discovery Gilbert still candidly shows her struggles. The writing builds upon previous experiences expertly, clearly showing how the teachings from her guru at the ashram form foundations for the new teachings in Indonesia. The ability to enjoy indulgence like in Italy clearly being built upon in enjoyment of the beauty of islands in Indonesia. Gilbert’s experiences in Indonesia, while showing a happier, more content person, transitions to a process of coming to terms with this more positive position. As journeys go this book contains a number of small paths that align to create a beautiful story of love in all its forms.
This is an inspiring book that also prompts reflection. It encourages travel as well as love for others. It shows the virtues of not judging others. It preaches the importance of self care. However, the most important message is one of achieving contentment. Making peace with her tumultuous past takes the whole book but Gilbert eventually achieves this through engaging in the various forms of love prioritized in each location. By the end she has started to heal previous scars, come to peace with past events and can simply be present in the most beautiful surroundings. If any reader is interested in travel of cultural experience this book truly offers a fascinating insight into assimilating and learning from other cultures.
The Weekly Book Report 