To think Elizabeth Gilbert massively manipulated public perception with Eat, Pray, Love?

[NotMySpiritualMother]

I know Eat, Pray, Love was a cultural moment but honestly, the more I reflect on it, the more uncomfortable I get. It was marketed as a journey of healing and self-discovery but at its core it was a hyper-privileged escape fantasy dressed up as a mental health breakthrough. She made a fortune off the “spiritual travel for broken women” blueprint and has since rebranded herself multiple times - including shifting narratives about her sexuality, personal life and identity in ways that feel strategic more than authentic.

AIBU to think that the public was groomed into seeing her as a spiritual guide, when really it was just marketing wrapped in incense?

What's wrong with pitching a book before writing it? And how is writing a book grooming anyone? And why am I replying to a bot anyway? Dead internet theory is real.

I was quite into that sort of thing at the time, but I hated the book and hated the film even more. I'm not a fan of her at all.

The film was one of the worst I’ve ever seen. I thought it would never end.

I think they’re talking about her most recent book which is about her relationship with Rayya Elias. It’s a bit of a simplification but it’s quite a story…

dont' think I ever heard of this before. Or know who EG is

That’s how it works for most non-fiction: proposal and chapter breakdown, synopsis, market analysis etc. Doesn’t have to be the full
book.

Really good article on her on Grokipedia dot com - I actually learned things I never knew about her and feel less disdain for her after reading tbh - until this morning, her name was just associated for me with being that rich, entitled woman who moaned about her life and made a movie out of it 😀

So, yeah, today I learned. But I still won't be buying what she's selling.

I loved Big Magic too, for what it’s worth. She is a great writer and that’s good enough for me in respect of what I need from an author.

This.

Haven't read the book or seen the film. Loved the Guardian review.

Is Robert responsible for the Sleep, Eat, Shit decorations touted in home decor shops?

It wasn’t just any old non-fiction… she pre-pitched her authentic journey of exploration and self discovery!

But yeah, naive of me to be surprised!

Well, of COURSE the idea was pre- pitched. I don’t think that was ever a secret, and I’m not sure why it’s an issue?

Any author who writes about themselves is self absorbed. No one was groomed though

I think EPL is daft nonsense but honestly her fiction is wonderful, especially Signature of all Things

A book group i was in read it. I think I was the only one who said it was a load of self indulgent navel gazing. They then wanted to watch the film of it and that was the point still which I knew this was not the group for me.

Having re visted it I completely agree, she comes across as a complete narcissist

I'm sorry but surely everyone knew it was 'hyper-privileged escape fantasy dressed up as a mental health breakthrough'.

I read it on holiday and enjoyed it as a holiday novel. I felt like there was, and is, something in leaning into your creativity, but I have never believed the hype about ditching all your responsibilities and going abroad to find yourself.

Mainly as I did spend a year in a developing country in my 20s and realised that generally speaking your problems follow you wherever you go.

Perhaps some saw her that way. The only
people I’ve discussed her book with felt the same as me: what an obnoxious individual.

i don’t think being married to a man and later having a relationship with a woman is a shifting narrative or rebranding though. That’s a really clumsy and unpleasant way to describe that.

I read it by mistake. I'm still fewmin 😄

I thought it was a novel. All through it I was thinking, hmm. This is all a bit 'on the nose'. But somehow I finished it.

And then I discovered - IT WAS ALL SUPPOSED TO BE REAL!! 😡

As you say OP, she certainly does like to write - and rewrite - her own life...

I guess the problem with her pitching the book and getting it signed before she left, is that she is then travelling and leading her life to the book.

Like an influencer doing things that look good for Instagram.

I think/assume that most people who read it at the time thought it was an authentic journey, both geographical and spiritual.

@Upholstery you need to find that thread! Was EG test driving the new book on here??

Absolutely, she got a book deal to pay for the trip it wasn't accidental like the Salt Path (oh wait..)

I still enjoyed it though, and think she is a grafter as well as a grifter which I like. Haven't read enough about her to comment on unhinged.

She cannot be blamed for that

You think reading one book is any way on a par to being 'groomed'?!

Yes, I read it and the sequel when I found them in Oxfam as an enjoyable fairly brainless read, and as a novelist she isn't bad at all. But I think the kind of person she is has been obvious from the get go (though the serialised passages about her friend/lover were enough for me to not want to read any more about her life).

Also as a PP said its nauseatingly privileged: we'd all love to take 12 months off to take our feet off the pedal and "find" ourselves but who can actually do it?

Yep- I never took it seriously for this reason. Rich person goes off to "find herself"- makes my eyes roll into the back of my head. Its just so dumb and patronising.