Eat, Pray, Love

One Woman's Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia

By: Elizabeth Gilbert

Narrated by: Elizabeth Gilbert

Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

Around the time Elizabeth Gilbert turned 30, she went through an early-onslaught midlife crisis. She had everything an educated, ambitious American woman was supposed to want: a husband, a house, a successful career. But instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she was consumed with panic, grief, and confusion. She went through a divorce, a crushing depression, another failed love, and the eradication of everything she ever thought she was supposed to be.

To recover from all this, Gilbert took a radical step. In order to give herself the time and space to find out who she really was and what she really wanted, she got rid of her belongings, quit her job, and undertook a yearlong journey around the world, all alone. Eat, Pray, Love is the absorbing chronicle of that year. Her aim was to visit three places where she could examine one aspect of her own nature set against the backdrop of a culture that has traditionally done that one thing very well. In Rome, she studied the art of pleasure, learning to speak Italian and gaining the 23 happiest pounds of her life. India was for the art of devotion, and with the help of a native guru and a surprisingly wise cowboy from Texas, she embarked on four uninterrupted months of spiritual exploration. In Bali, she studied the art of balance between worldly enjoyment and divine transcendence. She became the pupil of an elderly medicine man and also fell in love the best way, unexpectedly.

An intensely articulate and moving memoir of self-discovery, Eat, Pray, Love is about what can happen when you claim responsibility for your own contentment and stop trying to live in imitation of society's ideals. It is certain to touch anyone who has ever woken up to the unrelenting need for change.

©2006 Elizabeth Gilbert (P)2006 Penguin Audio, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., and Books on Tape. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

"The author's reading of this memoir adds depth; she's obviously not a professional narrator, but her vocal presence provides vivid color and quirky humor as she eats (in Italy), prays (in India), and finds love (in Indonesia). This is a delightful memoir that explores exotic countries as well as the author's heart and soul." (AudioFile magazine)

"Sustaining a chatty, conspiratorial tone, Gilbert fully engages readers in the year's cultural and emotional tapestry, conveying rapture with infectious brio, recalling anguish with touching candor, as she details her exotic tableau with history, anecdote and impression." (Publishers Weekly)

"Gilbert's sensuous and audacious spiritual odyssey is as deeply pleasurable as it is enlightening." (Booklist)

Took me to so many new places

I loved the spiritual journey and the physical journey this book records. Contrary to some of the criticism I’ve read, this author doesn’t have the sense of entitlement some accuse her of. She’s pretty hard on herself while simultaneously meeting others exactly where they and exactly as who they are. As an introvert I envy her ability to quickly and with complete openness connect with such a diverse international cast of characters all of whom I also fell in love with. Her own self examination and inner struggles are shared with frankness and the insights she achieves thru meditation are well worth reading and they are impactful. And they all this narrative there is plenty of charm and gentle humor.

enjoy elizabeth everytime

Im not gonna lie when I first heard god and stuff I thought I messed up. that it was another spiritual book. but glad I didn't quit. it was more of a adventure.almost like I meet these people. fall in love with strangers I'll never meet... great book!

wow exactly what I expected

by now many of you have seen this film and have at least heard of it I love the film and wanted to read the book it was based off of I absolutely loved it I loved the style of the writing,the flow of the story and hearing it in Elizabeth voice made it all the more special I highly recommend it

eat pray love

I absolutely loved this book. I enjoyed the way it was divided into three parts for three places.

Great listening and Entertainment!

I really enjoyed this book, more than only reading and entertaining, I learned a lot about ways of thinking and other cultures. Great way to take a trip through Elizabeth's eyes! However a little bit boring with all the divorce and love stuff. Overall a good book

Definitely 5 stars!

Elizabeth Gilbert's excellent narration brings her story to life. How else would the average reader know how to pronounce those romantic Italian phrases? I love her self-deprecating humor. I applaud her candor. I envy her courage. I am inspired ... to read more of her work!

every independent women's bible

This is my second time enjoying this book, the first time I read it, this time I listened to it. I loved it the first time, but loved it even more hearing it in the author's own spoken words. Liz is such an inspirational woman, I have so much respect for her and her journey.

So happy to have the Experience!

Where does Eat, Pray, Love rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I would say this is in my top five audiobooks, out of the probably 17 I've experienced. I especially enjoy when the novel is read by the author as you are able to really hear the soul of the text, instead of an interpretation from a third party.

What did you like best about this story?

I was very happy to have found such a great development in a novel. The significance of the 108 chapters, three sections, etc, was fantastic.

Any additional comments?

Even though I saw the film first, not knowing of the book at that time, I was so happy that I had the experience of the novel. Even better in Gilbert's own voice!

Wonderful Journey

What I Loved: As a History Buff--I absolutely love that this is more of a history lesson on marriage (and all that encompasses. Ms. Gilbert did an amazing amount research on this topic all across the globe. She was non-judgmental and really kind of just presented the facts.

What I Liked: I listened to this on Audio book (just as I did Eat, Pray, Love) and I think it made me like the book more. Elizabeth reads her own book, so she is very good at conveying what she is feeling during the reading. This adds a whole layer to the book that I think might be missing in the print version.

Why I gave it a 4: This audio book was wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone who is curious about commitment and the history of it through out the world. I also love that at different points she was good at making sure that the reader also knows that there is a good amount of happiness in being single too. If you love history and personal stories then you will enjoy this (as long as the topic appeals to you).

Loved it!

I loved hearing this story in Elizabeth Gilbert ' s voice. I needed to read this book!