by Tracey Schabel

Created on: April 25, 2008

Eating your way through Italy, Praying in India, and Loving in Bali- what is not to like about this book! We travel along with Elizabeth Gilbert as she learns to live with herself again and love others through friendship and trust.

The author partakes in a yearlong trip, after she discovers that she no longer loves the man she is married to and a bitter divorce ensues(of which she does not go into detail with), that would make most readers drool. Myself included! This is a book for the person that travels and enjoys living in their current surroundings- whether it is an ashram in India or a small house in Bali. The author was looking for total immersion in a culture or perhaps escape from her other life and throws herself into each new situation with abandon. Not all of us can escape from our responsibilities as easily, but some are possibly envious of this disregard for status quo.

In Italy, the first stop in the adventure, Elizabeth Gilbert is trying to get a bearing on her life. And as many do, food becomes a great substitute for living. The author even admits to not visiting a single museum in Italy- she was too busy learning the language, for fun I might add, and eating her way through the various cities. I think I gained 5 pounds just reading about the food. Not your typical travel log, but I liked it.

The author leads you on her own personal spiritual healing in India, but is lighthearted about this theme and does not preach. Through meditation, yoga, fasting, and a good friend, Elizabeth Gilbert starts to heal and gain control of her life again. In a sense, she learns to live with herself again. Even in her darkest moments, however, she can laugh at herself, and take the reader with her.

Bali is her last stop, and fits the last word in the title. When you think of love and romance, a tropical island is really the location that pops into my mind. She comes to love others as well as herself, amidst the beautiful scenery. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am quite envious of the ability to just get up and go someplace. My only criticism is the lack of details in the surroundings in India and Bali. I would have liked to experience the people and countries a bit more in depth. I realize India was all about the ashram, but I, personally, wanted more from the villages. The same is true about Bali- less about the love interest and more about the island and its ways. With that said, Elizabeth Gilbert has captured my attention, and I would love to join her on her next excursion!

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