A Bit Too Cliché - Rated 
If something looks like it could be "chick lit" and aimed at the female gender I usually avoid it like the plague, but as a friend lent me her copy and asked me to read it, I agreed. I kept waiting for it to get going, but it never really did. I found it rather same old, same old and a bit cliché i.e. a woman going through a difficult time post divorce, followed by a rebound relationship goes off in search of finding herself...hmmm...where have I heard that before? It was all a bit too much of a whinge fest for me. If going to sit in a cave and meditate helped her...great...I try to develop my "higher consciousness" on a regular basis, so I've no problem with that pursuit, or any other form of self-development but it is nothing new, and nothing enlightening. Having said all that I gave it a 3 and not a 2 because I enjoyed some of the comments made by Richard and one or two others. Italy was the worst part for me.
Disappointed - Rated 
I'm afraid I cannot agree with some of the other reviews on this book. I have just started the Balinese bit and I am struggling. I could not see what the fuss was about with Italy in the Italian part of the book and during the Indian part, it just felt that the kind of detail she was putting in just made it all seem fake.
I agree that she writes very well, she is witty and I like her characters, but so far I have not been able to enjoy the book. In all, I have found it a disappointment as it was recommended to me.
Great insight but a little too self centered - Rated
I did enjoy this book. Do not get me wrong. BUT I think that there is a great cultural divide. In the US people tend to be less backward in coming forward about themselves and about half way through the book started to grate on me. Elizabeth just seemed to be totally obsessed with me me me me me to the extent that as a UK woman I was cringeing. I am not saying that women should not be confident, or that UK is better than US, but very different. I would like to have seen more context in her writing, more consideration for others and her effect on others, perhaps less ego centicness. All being said it is a unique book.
Amazing book...some people may be missing the point - Rated 
I just finished this book and have to say it has had a profound effect on me, it was a fantastic account of one woman's journey to find herself. Admittedly its a great 'story' in itself, but its more than a story about a woman who got her heart broken, ate some food and then *skip the Ashram bit* found love in Bali. Anyone who treats this book like that is somewhat missing the point. I'm not a religious person at all, I have no religion, and I agree the Ashram section wasn't an easy read and I found some resistance to it, but that's exactly the point, her time in the Ashram wasn't comfortable, and we are made to feel that too. You can't gain anything from this book by skipping the middle section, it's only through her experiences in India that she learned to accept herself, find inner peace and strength and have the self knowledge and love to be ABLE to move on in Bali. That's the whole problem with this society, and that's exactly why she has laid herself out here as a guinea pig, an example. Rushing in life for the 'happy ending' will get you nowhere. Or it will get you divorced and suicidal at 34 looking for answers. The whole point of this book - and many others like it - is a forewarning that you will have to go through the struggles she did (albeit in not necessarily in India) if you're going to be truly happy. EAT PRAY LOVE the book is called. not EAT and LOVE. As a society we need to open our minds a little I think.
An Inspiring Story - Rated
I really enjoyed this book and was surprised to see so many uncomplimentary reviews that have been posted. I admire Elizabeth's courage and honesty to tell the world her personal experiences. Throughout the book she lets the reader into her private world.
In each of the 3 sections of the book I felt included in Elizabeth's life.
While Elizabeth was in Italy, I felt her passion for food and empathy for her while she weaned herself off anti depressants (that certainly takes courage in my book). While in India, Elizabeth tells us about how she learned to find balance. One chapter that stood out for me was when Elizabeth speaks of how when the harder she tried to quiet the voices in her head, the louder they got, and when she finally stopped trying the voices quieted on their own. In Bali, Elizabeth found balance and love. I truly enjoyed this book.
Another book, by renowned authors Ariel & Shya Kane "Being Here Modern Day Tales of Enlightenment" also a book I really enjoyed and highly recommend. The book consists of short stories about transformation.
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