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?

YABU to think it was a cultural moment. Maybe in the US but no one I know gave a shit about it. It's just a book, some people related to it, fair enough. I quite enjoyed it. I can't see how it inspired people to travel unless you were a very marrow minded US citizen who never owned a passport before this. It tells you a lot about a person if they never considered going anywhere before they read this book. Going to a different country and culture isn't a big deal, it's called travelling and most open minded people who can afford it do it anyway. That might be fascinating to some people but it's not for anyone I know or respect.

I remember watching the film and my eyes practically rolling out of my head. It's so American and superficial.

YABU to think it was a cultural moment. Maybe in the US but no one I know gave a shit about it. It's just a book, some people related to it, fair enough. I quite enjoyed it. I can't see how it inspired people to travel unless you were a very marrow minded US citizen who never owned a passport before this. It tells you a lot about a person if they never considered going anywhere before they read this book. Going to a different country and culture isn't a big deal, it's called travelling and most open minded people who can afford it do it anyway. That might be fascinating to some people but it's not for anyone I know or respect.

The one star reviews on GoodReads are what the synopsis sounds like I would get out of reading the EPL (and also very funny to read the 1* reviews).

I am not faulting the woman for pitching to fund her trip or making a lot of money: obviousy people WANTED to believe in her journey and it resonated for them.

Salt Path was partly fraud yet I think I could enjoy reading it. Don't think EG was faking (just shallow & boring...)

Was there similar controversy about 'wild'

The controversy about The Salt Path, and my thoughts about EPL - ‘what! Never an issue, Everyone lovely and wanting to be her friend’, and Wild being questioned, really says more about readership and their/my readership. I realise I’m shallow 🤭 Have read, devoured, all three. Oh dear.