Bookfanatic reviewed on 9/26/2010

Talk about having First World problems. Gilbert has a nice home in a nice neighborhood. She has a good career, enough money, some fame, and blonde good looks. In short, she is by most accounts, a privileged White American. She and her husband divorce. To heal from the breakup of her marriage and find her authentic self, she decides to embark on a trip abroad. Of course we all know meaning and truth about life can only be found by going overseas to exotic locales.

Why do people in Westernized countries feel they have to go to the East to find spirituality? It exoticizes people in Asia. By the way, this book doesn't teach you anything new about Bali or India. It just reinforces stereotypes about going to Asia - you know that magical, other worldly, timeless place where Americans can find the answers to life from friendly, dark skinned people.

I didn't care for the book in case it wasn't obvious. She's so self-absorbed with her so-called problems that I really couldn't muster any sympathy or interest.

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