tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post1785172447644885888..comments2024-01-09T14:19:23.919-04:00Comments on Alice in Paris loves Art and Tea: eat pray what?aliceinparishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00015746940799403919noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-3908447419991531582010-08-23T16:21:23.358-03:002010-08-23T16:21:23.358-03:00Thanks Dreamcatcher, so interesting to hear everyb...Thanks Dreamcatcher, so interesting to hear everybody's thoughts on this.<br />For me, it was not about about what "women" should or should not do. The *Righteousness* and *Demands* of being a woman did not enter into it for me. I would feel the same about this story if it was a male writing it and who took off to find himself. <br /><br />Maybe the key message IS don't cut yourself short in this life simply by pleasing society and others,it is about being happy from within, being true to who you are. <br /><br />But that is so much easier said than done....not as simple as this movie makes it seem. People have emotional ties, financial constraints, health connstraints, personal responsibilities that have nothing to do with the expectations of society and are often not even choices that person has made or would want to make. Doing what we want and being true to ourselves is the dream but sometimes life has a way of changing things. <br /><br />I don't think Liz took a leap of faith. She was tired of her life. She was offered a way out of it and money to write and she took it. I would too.aliceinparishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00015746940799403919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-63069842768351308982010-08-23T14:47:28.694-03:002010-08-23T14:47:28.694-03:00It is about having the courage to step outside of ...It is about having the courage to step outside of the *Righteousness* and *Demands* of being a woman and venturing out for what you want and who you truly are! It is not about money or travel or anything..this was simply LIZ's story and how she took a leap of faith.<br /><br />It doesn't matter if your leap of faith is venturing out just to be alone, to be unmarried, to live a simple life by helping others, living as a waitress scratching change together - the key message is don't cut yourself short in this life simply by pleasing society and others.<br /><br />It is about being happy from within, being true to who you are NOT about traveling and having money to do what you want!Bleeding Hearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02689816555725078811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-16938068552927014212010-08-18T21:45:04.828-03:002010-08-18T21:45:04.828-03:00I read the book ( from the public library) because...I read the book ( from the public library) because of the hype, but felt like you did Shelagh, that the author was very self absorbed and her "adventures" were very self indulgent. I don't think I'll see the movie.Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-12772580768748597542010-08-18T14:34:26.079-03:002010-08-18T14:34:26.079-03:00I took the book and the movie for what they were a...I took the book and the movie for what they were a book and a movie. I agree that there are many worse off and many who would trade places with her. For me, I read books and see movies to escape the less stellar parts or boring parts of my life. I guess I looked at it like, "WOW what fun! Wouldn't it be a great (fantasty) to go off and do these things for a year." I don't know, I tend to be very literal but for this book and movie I just enjoed it for the entertainment.michellehttp://smoochdog.squarespace.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-52232619142237531032010-08-18T12:06:14.550-03:002010-08-18T12:06:14.550-03:00I was going to leave a comment but then I wasn'...I was going to leave a comment but then I wasn't because so many people have already expressed exactly what I was thinking. But here I am back to commenting. For a very long time I felt like an outcast for not liking the book. I didn't spend a lot of time putting it into words because I didn't think many people would listen. Because of that, it never felt like the book had closure. But the way you describe the book and its flaws reflect my thoughts perfectly and now the book has the best ending I could have hoped for. Now I can move on to something better.Michelinehttp://redbelle.squarespace.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-59083444548903925752010-08-18T10:45:10.935-03:002010-08-18T10:45:10.935-03:00Well, well. Thank you ladies. I thought (just for ...Well, well. Thank you ladies. I thought (just for a little while) about borrowing the book from the library but now I will use my time reading something much better.Doloreshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00013261733996949731noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-71494755158049744392010-08-18T10:10:12.039-03:002010-08-18T10:10:12.039-03:00In all fairness, I do have to say that I like Gilb...In all fairness, I do have to say that I like Gilbert's writing style... it sucks me right in! I just don't side with her on the content.<br />RaniaMuse, Raniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01887619083947176380noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-14352379025855111942010-08-18T08:59:15.753-03:002010-08-18T08:59:15.753-03:00I have been trying to read the book for over a mon...I have been trying to read the book for over a month now. It took me that long to get through "Italy." Just couldn't get in to it at all. Glad there are others who feel the same way.<br /><br />I will still see the movie though! :)ElleBeehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00467141263538484916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-31874467683065891802010-08-17T22:55:55.639-03:002010-08-17T22:55:55.639-03:00I didn't like the book at all - I thought it w...I didn't like the book at all - I thought it was boring - I don't think she knows what having it hard is about...<br /><br />Am not going to bother with the movie...Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00188797432417336539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-7511636639369800852010-08-17T19:25:39.180-03:002010-08-17T19:25:39.180-03:00Yay for someone who isn't crazy about the movi...Yay for someone who isn't crazy about the movie/book. I haven't read the book (don't intend to) nor have I seen the movie (don't intend to). I totally agree with everything you say!The Words Crafterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14520267901489487512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-78664304664446256712010-08-17T17:48:04.166-03:002010-08-17T17:48:04.166-03:00Well, I'm somewhat relieved. A few people I k...Well, I'm somewhat relieved. A few people I know read this book and recomended it to me - but I just couldn't feel it. When I read the back I thought it sounded too whimsical for my tastes. Likewise, I have no desire to see this movie.Andrea on Third Streethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00553842492335677785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-22712417721237123852010-08-17T15:30:29.765-03:002010-08-17T15:30:29.765-03:00Ha! I totally, totally agree. One night I googled ...Ha! I totally, totally agree. One night I googled hate+eat pray love and discovered that I was not alone! And now you further restore my faith in the wisdom of reasonable girls everywhere. I thought this was the most self-absorbed , unlikable person ever: giggling and chattering her way through an ashram, barging into that poor old man's life in Bali (not to mention the woman she decided to "help" there). Talk about your quintessential Ugly American. I was depressed for days after I read this book. Anyway, thanks Shelagh, for starting up this conversation. I love Julia Roberts, but think I'll be skipping this one.Anne Yarbroughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14172485529168900117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-63181794079295303772010-08-17T13:15:12.944-03:002010-08-17T13:15:12.944-03:00Here's a few tweets and thoughts on the subjec...Here's a few tweets and thoughts on the subject:<br />Eat, Pray, Gag me with a Rototiller<br />Eat, Pray, Leave me alone<br />Eat, Pray that Elizabeth Gilbert never writes and eating and praying again.Gifted Typisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11847472209048585938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-1093421374210167922010-08-17T12:59:54.079-03:002010-08-17T12:59:54.079-03:00I think it is sad that we can not support a woman ...I think it is sad that we can not support a woman who did something really big just for herself. If a man did it I bet we would not be so hard on him but for a woman to venture the world, she is selfish. That said, I did not enjoy the writing of the book but I have not enjoyed a book in a long, long time. I will go see the movie I hope and I do look forward to her foodie adventures in particular.Suzie Ridlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08603343663483772145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-34693061832279717082010-08-17T12:45:08.052-03:002010-08-17T12:45:08.052-03:00As i mentioned on Live Journal, most of these flav...As i mentioned on Live Journal, most of these flavour of the month books usually let me down. I much preferred Under the Tuscan SunTvorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01414660140541680599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-77770059341707142472010-08-17T12:22:41.932-03:002010-08-17T12:22:41.932-03:00I agree with you. I thought the book was ho-hum! ...I agree with you. I thought the book was ho-hum! And now I don't get all the hoop-la about the movie. I won't bother with the theatre but probably wait to see it on DVD.Sandy aka Doris the Greathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16135704111702244735noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-47564950031030867952010-08-17T12:11:54.592-03:002010-08-17T12:11:54.592-03:00I felt the same way as you. She was too whiny for...I felt the same way as you. She was too whiny for me, too "poor me". I haven't seen the movie yet, but I expect it to be better than the book since it won't go on and on and on ;-)Janethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09504992439212714138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-38791405012246132522010-08-17T12:07:27.541-03:002010-08-17T12:07:27.541-03:00Wow - I thought I was the only one who felt this w...Wow - I thought I was the only one who felt this way!! Everyone I know who has read the book just gushes about it. THere are many many books on travel and finding oneself that I would rank WAY above this one. Glad to know there are some like minded folks out there. Next....Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-59875024873234772442010-08-17T11:59:32.075-03:002010-08-17T11:59:32.075-03:00Oh yes - I completely agree with you. What she did...Oh yes - I completely agree with you. What she did was not amazing or brave. She ran away. Nothing brave about that :)lifeofmytimehttp://lifeofmytime.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-22860206309194856722010-08-17T11:45:13.676-03:002010-08-17T11:45:13.676-03:00lifeofmytime, I did enjoy watching the movie, it w...lifeofmytime, I did enjoy watching the movie, it was pretty and provided a dose of escapism. It was not one I would see again.<br />and yes, I absolutely would take off and travel given that opportunity. What eludes me about all this is why people thought what she had done was so amazing and brave. That I don't understand.aliceinparishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00015746940799403919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-2197005473826506742010-08-17T11:35:44.411-03:002010-08-17T11:35:44.411-03:00I have to say I enjoyed the book. I did read it ju...I have to say I enjoyed the book. I did read it just before a trip to Rome, so for me the travel was the biggest attraction. <br /><br />But that said... yes, she was self-centred, and yes, her problems were really not all that terrible. But don't we all have those moments where we put way too much emphasis on problems that are insignificant in the grand scheme of things? Don't we all get a little self-absorbed sometimes? <br /><br />Maybe I enjoyed reading it, because she was able to do something I never could - take a year off to explore the world (and herself). I agree that staying would be the more difficult and rational choice - and she should have been able to figure out her life had she stayed. But if you had the same opportunity under the same circumstances, wouldn't you go? I would.<br /><br />I enjoyed the movie more than I thought I would. It is simply entertainment for me though - not a deep, life-altering experience.lifeofmytimehttp://lifeofmytime.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-78814470302171969632010-08-17T11:31:36.383-03:002010-08-17T11:31:36.383-03:00hi friend!
i just could not get through that book....hi friend!<br />i just could not get through that book. it just wasn't for me. : (<br />i am happy some like it though. : )<br />xoxochristinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15541888793748453425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-29550843754880783632010-08-17T11:22:47.964-03:002010-08-17T11:22:47.964-03:00yep, felt the same Shelagh.
Like others, I also w...yep, felt the same Shelagh. <br />Like others, I also was extremely disappointed with the ending. All this "who needs men? I'm going to love myself first and heal myself" and then<br /><br />and then her "happily ever after" all has to do with a relationship.<br /><br />kinda like Sex in the City- the entire series was thematic around women being happy regardless or despite men... and in the end they all end up with someone.<br /><br />anyhoo, i also could not relate. :)Eco Yoginihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10693080137196812405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-45817576715070418252010-08-17T11:07:43.023-03:002010-08-17T11:07:43.023-03:00pal, i am right there with you on everything you w...pal, i am right there with you on everything you wrote. so glad you posted this. i've found myself the past few years wondering if it's a generational thing...because i've noticed that many younger women positively ADORE Liz Gilbert and her book and every word she utters. the book didn't resonate for me either, and truthfully, she lost me right in the beginning...because i didn't feel her pain (re her divorce). she seemed utterly self-absorbed and the drama she was creating seemed so disproportionate to her circumstances. i honestly don't feel it's about jealousy...at least for me...because that means i'd have to actually be FEELING it. and truth be told, she leaves me BLANK.Marilynhttp://marilyn.typepad.com/tongueandgroove/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2603716759637498541.post-53697843851098552202010-08-17T10:49:31.716-03:002010-08-17T10:49:31.716-03:00It is so interesting to read everybody's take ...It is so interesting to read everybody's take on this. I did enjoy some of the stories and interactions for sure. Travelling always brings us new experience. I guess I just did not relate to Liz.<br /><br />Natalie Joan, I've been enjoying your tales and pictures of Africa!aliceinparishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00015746940799403919noreply@blogger.com