Comments on: Book Review: Elizabeth Gilbert's COMMITTED

By: julievbb

julievbb — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:53:14 +0000

I listened to both books on audio, read by the Author. So my retention is more slippery than had I held the book open in my lap. My impression is of a curious soul (my personal fave quality in people), who is by turns fun & annoyingly whiney. (Especially considering her many opportunities & privileges!) She seems to catch herself & laugh it off most times, thankfully. Having grown up in a very large family, “No whining!” is a default p.o.v. for me.
That being said, I love MG’s ability to gather friends wherever she lands, like wildflowers in a bouquet on her open windowsill. A simple kindness; artful. I actually liked her scholarly approach of the subject of marriage. I’ll buy the book for reference, if she’s annotated/cited her declarations. (I always hope the research is clean, if I’m going to incorporate it in my thinking; ie: an Historical novel.) I like that her Sister is an Historian, and that she uses her as a resource- resonates w me: smart sibs!
Her own love-story in the foreground makes a nice table setting for the dinner-party of the larger story of Marriage, et al.

p.s. Fave quote (from Hub): “I was born broke… not poor.” (Yes!)

By: Jen Forbus

Jen Forbus — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:12:55 +0000

I work for the National Association of College Stores (NACS) and our yearly trade show is called CAMEX (Campus Market Expo). One of the events each year is the Book and Author Breakfast. It’s very nice! Last year we were in Anaheim. This year it will be Orlando.

By: Shell Sherree

Shell Sherree — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:31:58 +0000

Those are both wonderful quotes, leOpard13!

By: Shell Sherree

Shell Sherree — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:31:06 +0000

I’ve only just started reading EPL, so the turmoil of what she felt through the split with her first husband and divorce is raw and fresh in my mind. When I saw what her next book is about, it really surprised me and made me more curious to see how EPL unfolds!

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:01:22 +0000

Great quotes, lp. That first one made me laugh. Thank you.

By: Pop Culture Nerd

Pop Culture Nerd — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 22:00:41 +0000

What is CAMEX? At first, I thought it was lip balm but realized that’s Carmex. How cool you got to see her in person. I’ve always enjoyed watching her TV interviews.

By: Jen Forbus

Jen Forbus — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:14:36 +0000

I love those quotes, lp13! Those are great!!

By: le0pard13

le0pard13 — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 18:33:58 +0000

As I read the review (and I’ve not read anything by this author), I thought of two quotes from Bill Cosby. The first, paraphrasing, is from a routine I heard long, long ago; the second one is fairly well known (at least among some of the wedlock’d):

“Men really don’t understand marriage like women do. Even after many years of it, when they finally think they understand marriage… they die.”

“The heart of marriage is memories; and if the two of you happen to have the same ones and can savor your reruns, then your marriage is a gift from the gods.”

Thanks, PCN.

By: Jen Forbus

Jen Forbus — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:41:08 +0000

Elizabeth Gilbert came to our CAMEX Book and Author Breakfast last year. She IS very charming, but the whole premise of this book (marriage) would make me depressed, I think.