I went to see Eat, Pray, Love last night....
I did not really enjoy the book, it was ok, and thought I would try the movie. It was pleasant, the locales were beautiful, the actors lovely but the turmoils of Liz again left me flat.
I guess part of what bothered me was how self absorbed her character was. Her life was not really that bad in the big scheme of things, she left her husband and then she left her lover on her terms, she was not broke, she had no health issues, nobody depending on her, no one to please but herself. Many women would probably happily change places with her at her lowest point....
.... there are hundreds of women I am sure, who would love to take off and go traveling to "find themselves" given the opportunity but have no money, are looking after kids, parents, have job commitments, health problems and are trapped by these constraints. Liz had nothing to hold her back and someone offering to pay her to go "out there" I don't begrudge her the adventure at all. I just don't understand what people find so brave and courageous about Liz leaving to find herself when there were no obstacles to stop her and lots to gain from it. That would be a sensible thing.
I think the braver and riskier thing would have been to stay and work things out for herself. Not as much fun, more difficult, and certainly not as interesting as travel. "Finding yourself" in your own surroundings is a lot harder. I doubt people would been as interested in her struggle had she stayed. The exotic places and people make this book. I don't get why so many people think that Liz's leaving was such a hard choice and idolize her for it.
Most people I know with nothing to hold them back would absolutely leave and travel to find themselves if offered a ticket and time and money to write about it. I certainly would. That's practical and a no brainer, not amazing and brave. That's my beef. I'm not saying she shouldn't have gone, I would have. Her trip WAS amazing and interesting. It is idolization of Liz and her choice that bothers me.
I love the idea of finding yourself. I love the idea of travel, I adore travel..... one always grows and sometimes gets uncomfortable and meets new people and discovers other ways of doing things and just being. I dunno, this fuss about the personal odyssey of Liz's really baffled me, not the travels, they were fun to read about, just all the massive hooplaa about it.
Maybe I am jealous. Who doesn't have things they would like to run from, areas of personna they would like to explore, open tracts of time to fill with personal adventures and not have to worry about someone else. Not mention have it all paid for? What was the big deal? Why was her decision to escape so amazing?
I think that's what I don't get. Countless women given the same opportunities would do a trip like that in a heartbeat. What am I missing? This book was a huge sensation, why? It seems to be polarizing women because some love it and other's don't. We lived vicariously through her, exotic locations and wonderful experiences and people along the way. Was she living out our fantasies? What was it that spoke to you?
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