I need to just read it, I was on Amazon to get the link and it said I purchased it in 2011 and I have no idea where it is. Of course I've downloaded the audio so stay tuned:)
This made me want to read the Elizabeth Gilbert book right away lol. Always curious where I will land on a divisive book. I did love Big Magic back when I read it years ago.
Oh Kate Morton! Yes, very atmospheric and perfect for fall reading. The Secret Keeper is excellent.
I'm the same way, there was so many negative opinions floating around when the excerpts of her book came out that I had to find out what all the fuss was about. There's some shocking stuff in there that's for sure- if you do read it I'd love to talk about it. IO'm making note of The Secret Keeper!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on All the Way to the River! I enjoyed hearing your perspective. Personally, I loved it. It’s been quite surprising and kind of sad reading some of the scathing major reviews (NYTimes, Guardian, Post, etc.), since I seemed to have a very different experience and interpretation of the book. Firstly, I do think it’s important to note that there are many things throughout the book that I wouldn’t have said if I was writing a memoir myself, and I absolutely don’t agree with or subscribe to all of Gilbert's philosophies and opinions. (For instance, I think it’s a fair callout in the opinion review you linked about why Gilbert sharing how she stopped needing all antidepressants and hormone-replacement treatments is potentially problematic and misleading. I fully agree that everyone should be taking advice about their health, medications, etc. from their own licensed professionals based on their unique health circumstances.)
I’ve seen a lot of frustration and disagreement specifically about Gilbert's claim that what we call an “addict” is just “an exaggerated version of all of us.” Again, this is not a claim I would have made myself. I don’t think this book needs to be relatable and applicable for everyone. I suspect that one of the contributing factors to the divisiveness of the story has to do with each reader’s own experience (or lack of) with addiction. As someone who has struggled with addiction, I found many parts of the book powerful and resonant. Even if I can’t relate to the specific circumstances and experiences described, I can relate to many of the overall themes surrounding addiction, if that makes sense? If a reader hasn’t had experience with addiction, I suspect it would be a much different (and more shocking) reading experience. But, I think Gilbert's raw approach is what makes this memoir truly special, and I imagine that—for a specific community of readers—it will be not only refreshing but encouraging. Regardless of the fact that I don’t endorse everything in here, I nonetheless appreciate people vulnerably sharing the hardest, messiest parts of their lives. I also think it was really brave to write this. Inevitably there was going to be backlash, and it takes a lot to lay it all out there for the whole world to read and comment on.
I also thought Gilbert did a beautiful job of depicting human nuance, particularly as it relates to Rayya. I found myself feeling tremendous compassion for Rayya, and I think she came across as being so deeply good, funny, honest, but messy, imperfect, and profoundly human. I feel like empathy is something so necessary and powerful, and I think this type of nuance and balance is critical when talking about individuals who struggle with addiction.
I wasn’t bothered by the poems, platitudes, etc., though I didn’t personally find them particularly moving or helpful to me. Oh! And the only other book of hers I’ve read is City of Girls. I saw Eat, Pray, Love around the time it came out, but I remember practically nothing. So, I didn’t go in with any background or expectations about her first memoir. It makes sense that this impacted some other readers’ experience with All the Way to the River.
Thank you for sharing this thoughtful review and how her memoir impacted you personally. I'm glad you loved it! You make many important observations. I hadn't thought about readers coming to and taking from this memoir differently depending on their experience with addiction, I think this is a good point. I also think sharing in the ways she did took bravery, but I also wonder if there were things that could've/should've been kept private. Maybe time will tell for her.
I will put in my vote for REBECCA as well. It is one of those books I wish I could read for the first time...it is that good. And so wonderful to read in the winter.
My husband and I tried watching BLACK RABABIT last night, and he bailed, but I may stick with it a bit longer. I did watch THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by myself and enjoyed it.
Thanks for your vote:) I will say I think Black Rabbit picks up, when we finished the first episode my husband said he didn't know about it but now he's into it. I think he mainly wants to see what Jason Bateman's character does because he's gotten himself into quite the mess
I was at an independent bookstore this weekend. I always try and buy something to support indies. I asked them for a spoofy season read and this is what they chose:
Sour Cherry: A Fiercely Haunting Gothic Horror Novel Examining Gender and Power, Reimagining the Fairytale Bluebeardhttps://share.google/Px2KSjHZsaUmApZRT
I’ve read 4-5 Kate Morton novels and my favorite is The Secret Keeper. It does have dual timelines and I know you don’t always love that but this one made quite the impression.
I heard that too about the advance- I believe she received $200,000 to write EPL. Black Rabbit does seem to be one of those shows that takes some time to get the world and character building aspects going.
Did you ever watch The Thursday Murder Club and what did you think? I have never read Elizabeth Gilbert. And I cannot say that you made me want to. Ha ha and you must read Rebecca. I think you’re really going to enjoy it and walk away from it saying what took me so long?
We started The Thursday Murder Club movie but neither one of us were feeling it. I may go back and watch it by myself, I don't think it's one my husband will want to watch. I know I say every year I'm going to read Rebecca, I just need to do it already haha
I give my husband a list of things to watch based on everyone’s recommendations and he rarely is enthusiastic about anything that I suggested. But he really liked Thursday Murder.
You haven’t read Rebecca!!??!? It’s so good!
No, I'm the lone nonreader left haha
Nope - I have tried reading it multiple times and it’s just not for me!, so another non reader of Rebecca
I read it for book club many moons ago and was so pleasantly surprised by it.
I need to just read it, I was on Amazon to get the link and it said I purchased it in 2011 and I have no idea where it is. Of course I've downloaded the audio so stay tuned:)
Oh and yes you must read Rebecca!!
This made me want to read the Elizabeth Gilbert book right away lol. Always curious where I will land on a divisive book. I did love Big Magic back when I read it years ago.
Oh Kate Morton! Yes, very atmospheric and perfect for fall reading. The Secret Keeper is excellent.
I'm the same way, there was so many negative opinions floating around when the excerpts of her book came out that I had to find out what all the fuss was about. There's some shocking stuff in there that's for sure- if you do read it I'd love to talk about it. IO'm making note of The Secret Keeper!
The Secret Keeper was so good!
I read City of Girls and thought it was fine but could’ve been shorter. I haven’t read her nonfiction & am not sure I will…
My favorite read in September was Dream State! I’m reading The Wilderness now.
I binged all 3 seasons of Traitors (U.S.) this month and loved it. Just started Your Friends & Neighbors.
Yay for Dream State! That really was so good. I’ve never watched Traitors but it’s been recommended to me so many times
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on All the Way to the River! I enjoyed hearing your perspective. Personally, I loved it. It’s been quite surprising and kind of sad reading some of the scathing major reviews (NYTimes, Guardian, Post, etc.), since I seemed to have a very different experience and interpretation of the book. Firstly, I do think it’s important to note that there are many things throughout the book that I wouldn’t have said if I was writing a memoir myself, and I absolutely don’t agree with or subscribe to all of Gilbert's philosophies and opinions. (For instance, I think it’s a fair callout in the opinion review you linked about why Gilbert sharing how she stopped needing all antidepressants and hormone-replacement treatments is potentially problematic and misleading. I fully agree that everyone should be taking advice about their health, medications, etc. from their own licensed professionals based on their unique health circumstances.)
I’ve seen a lot of frustration and disagreement specifically about Gilbert's claim that what we call an “addict” is just “an exaggerated version of all of us.” Again, this is not a claim I would have made myself. I don’t think this book needs to be relatable and applicable for everyone. I suspect that one of the contributing factors to the divisiveness of the story has to do with each reader’s own experience (or lack of) with addiction. As someone who has struggled with addiction, I found many parts of the book powerful and resonant. Even if I can’t relate to the specific circumstances and experiences described, I can relate to many of the overall themes surrounding addiction, if that makes sense? If a reader hasn’t had experience with addiction, I suspect it would be a much different (and more shocking) reading experience. But, I think Gilbert's raw approach is what makes this memoir truly special, and I imagine that—for a specific community of readers—it will be not only refreshing but encouraging. Regardless of the fact that I don’t endorse everything in here, I nonetheless appreciate people vulnerably sharing the hardest, messiest parts of their lives. I also think it was really brave to write this. Inevitably there was going to be backlash, and it takes a lot to lay it all out there for the whole world to read and comment on.
I also thought Gilbert did a beautiful job of depicting human nuance, particularly as it relates to Rayya. I found myself feeling tremendous compassion for Rayya, and I think she came across as being so deeply good, funny, honest, but messy, imperfect, and profoundly human. I feel like empathy is something so necessary and powerful, and I think this type of nuance and balance is critical when talking about individuals who struggle with addiction.
I wasn’t bothered by the poems, platitudes, etc., though I didn’t personally find them particularly moving or helpful to me. Oh! And the only other book of hers I’ve read is City of Girls. I saw Eat, Pray, Love around the time it came out, but I remember practically nothing. So, I didn’t go in with any background or expectations about her first memoir. It makes sense that this impacted some other readers’ experience with All the Way to the River.
Thank you for sharing this thoughtful review and how her memoir impacted you personally. I'm glad you loved it! You make many important observations. I hadn't thought about readers coming to and taking from this memoir differently depending on their experience with addiction, I think this is a good point. I also think sharing in the ways she did took bravery, but I also wonder if there were things that could've/should've been kept private. Maybe time will tell for her.
I will put in my vote for REBECCA as well. It is one of those books I wish I could read for the first time...it is that good. And so wonderful to read in the winter.
My husband and I tried watching BLACK RABABIT last night, and he bailed, but I may stick with it a bit longer. I did watch THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by myself and enjoyed it.
Thanks for your vote:) I will say I think Black Rabbit picks up, when we finished the first episode my husband said he didn't know about it but now he's into it. I think he mainly wants to see what Jason Bateman's character does because he's gotten himself into quite the mess
We get to find out how Joe Goldberg becomes Joe Goldberg??????!!!!!!!
Loving Task as well, the "bad guys" are more interesting!
Agree! They're unpredictable
I was at an independent bookstore this weekend. I always try and buy something to support indies. I asked them for a spoofy season read and this is what they chose:
Sour Cherry: A Fiercely Haunting Gothic Horror Novel Examining Gender and Power, Reimagining the Fairytale Bluebeardhttps://share.google/Px2KSjHZsaUmApZRT
Love getting indie book recs, thanks for sharing Michelle:)
I’ve read 4-5 Kate Morton novels and my favorite is The Secret Keeper. It does have dual timelines and I know you don’t always love that but this one made quite the impression.
Alison just mentioned it too so I'll check it out. If I'm into the story I can handle the dual timelines
I read Eat, Pray, Love, which I later discovered she had received a publishers advance before writing the book.
I felt it was self-indulgent and most in our book club loathed it
However I did read and enjoy her fiction book, The Signature of all Things
I won’t be reading her recent release
We’ve watched The Hunting Wives (😳), and The Girlfriend on Amazon Prime. Just started Black Rabbit. It’s taken me a minute to get into it
I will never read her memoir.
I heard that too about the advance- I believe she received $200,000 to write EPL. Black Rabbit does seem to be one of those shows that takes some time to get the world and character building aspects going.
Yes, the advance colored my thoughts on her “memoir”, which readers were led to believe happened more organically.
Interested on where Black Rabbit goes.
Did you ever watch The Thursday Murder Club and what did you think? I have never read Elizabeth Gilbert. And I cannot say that you made me want to. Ha ha and you must read Rebecca. I think you’re really going to enjoy it and walk away from it saying what took me so long?
We started The Thursday Murder Club movie but neither one of us were feeling it. I may go back and watch it by myself, I don't think it's one my husband will want to watch. I know I say every year I'm going to read Rebecca, I just need to do it already haha
I give my husband a list of things to watch based on everyone’s recommendations and he rarely is enthusiastic about anything that I suggested. But he really liked Thursday Murder.