Perspective

Elizabeth Gilbert is enjoying a successful magazine writing career as she turns 30 and has to face up to her youthful determination to begin a family at that age. She cannot get excited about children, knows it is unfair to have them otherwise, and loves/hates the man she marries too young and uncritically. Having been brought up in a rarely-practicing Protestant family, Liz has no spiritual support as she goes into crisis, leaving her never-named husband, who demonizes her and thwarts her efforts to part amiably. After a near suicide, she begins therapy and antidepressants. She also falls into the arms of an actor/writer who first introduces her to yoga. Liz feels instantly drawn to the photograph of David's Indian Guru and resolves to study at her ashram.

All of these elements combine to produce this richly entertaining and thought-provoking book. Liz knows how to craft scenes...