- Hardcover: 481 pages
- Publisher: Thorndike Press; large type edition edition (5 Jan 2010)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1410422763
- ISBN-13: 978-1410422767
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.2 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (66 customer reviews)
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- #49 in Books > Biography > Social & Health Issues > Divorce
Committed
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Product Description
Review
'Like Eat, Pray, Love, her follow-up, Committed, feels irresistibly confessional ... I found myself guzzling Committed, reading it in mighty chunks, far into the night. Whenever I put it down, it was pinched by my mother or sister' Sunday Times 'An unblinkered consideration of what marriage really means' Woman & Home 'Gilbert delves deep into the history and cultural meanings of marriage, as well as into her own relationship' Financial Times 'Insightful ... She speaks for many who question the bliss in conjugal bonds, or, at least, those who want to understand how the tradition still perpetuates. For better or worse' Vogue
--This text refers to the
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'A writer of incandescent talent.' Annie Proulx
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I could relate to this book because I also felt the same about marriage. Once divorced, I couldn't imagine wanting to get married again ever. But I was faced with a similar situation in my relationship. I did not qualify to stay in Italy with my boyfriend and try and "make a life with him" so we were forced to get married for Immigration purposes.
Gilbert's search for the meaning of marriage is interesting because she explores other cultural traditions and opinions and leaves you with a feeling of utter confusion. I would like to think that this was a bit on purpose because it exemplifies exactly what she is struggling with, which is not wanting to fall into the North American dillusion that another person "completes us".
As North Americans we have a tendency to "romanticize" about love and marriage and yet this book hits the nail on the head from any "Government State" perspective around the world, which is marriage is meant to keep some sort of order in the world and community. But, at the same time, the rules of "engagement" is a shifting platform with the integration of education for women in otherwise secluded villages, the virtual world of the Internet, affordable travel and Expatriate societies sprouting up everywhere.
Gilbert never loses sight of the emotions she feels for her spouse (good and bad), but as a woman, she struggles with her sense of self and independence. She has taken a leap of faith indeed, but isn't everything in life worth having a bit of a leap of faith?
This book left me with a feeling that Gilbert's plight is not a solitary one. She has spoken for many in this everchanging world we live in. It's inspirational to know that she was not going to take orders from the State sitting down.
Gilbert's search for the meaning of marriage is interesting because she explores other cultural traditions and opinions and leaves you with a feeling of utter confusion. I would like to think that this was a bit on purpose because it exemplifies exactly what she is struggling with, which is not wanting to fall into the North American dillusion that another person "completes us".
As North Americans we have a tendency to "romanticize" about love and marriage and yet this book hits the nail on the head from any "Government State" perspective around the world, which is marriage is meant to keep some sort of order in the world and community. But, at the same time, the rules of "engagement" is a shifting platform with the integration of education for women in otherwise secluded villages, the virtual world of the Internet, affordable travel and Expatriate societies sprouting up everywhere.
Gilbert never loses sight of the emotions she feels for her spouse (good and bad), but as a woman, she struggles with her sense of self and independence. She has taken a leap of faith indeed, but isn't everything in life worth having a bit of a leap of faith?
This book left me with a feeling that Gilbert's plight is not a solitary one. She has spoken for many in this everchanging world we live in. It's inspirational to know that she was not going to take orders from the State sitting down.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is not a novel, it is an etude of marriage wtritten by an increasingly self-obsessed author, who has time and money to travel around the world to get her head around the "insurmountable" concept of marriage. She makes an issue out of absolutely nothing. You either want to get married and commit to the person you love or you don't. Sure she's been stung by a tricky divorce but it could have been much worse - there were no kids involved, it just hurt like hell. I'm afraid that can happen and it's called adult life.
And shock, horror, the grand revelation of this book is that marriage has been perceived differently over the years and continues to be viewed differently across the globe...purrlease tell me something I didn't know! It is different from couple to couple for heaven's sake.
The book is weak and extremely irritating. I was so looking forward to it as I loved "Eat, Pray, Love". I thought that book was a brave voyage of discovery shared intimately with the reader and very well written. This on the other hand is a "nothingness". I found myself wanting to shake Elizabeth Gilbert and shout "get a grip". The book is one long navel-gazing study of why the author can't have it all. It is adolescent in its naivety.
And shock, horror, the grand revelation of this book is that marriage has been perceived differently over the years and continues to be viewed differently across the globe...purrlease tell me something I didn't know! It is different from couple to couple for heaven's sake.
The book is weak and extremely irritating. I was so looking forward to it as I loved "Eat, Pray, Love". I thought that book was a brave voyage of discovery shared intimately with the reader and very well written. This on the other hand is a "nothingness". I found myself wanting to shake Elizabeth Gilbert and shout "get a grip". The book is one long navel-gazing study of why the author can't have it all. It is adolescent in its naivety.
57 of 61 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Like so many others, I was curious to know what happened to Elizabeth and her Brazilian lover Felipe after Eat, Pray, Love ended. As the book opens they are still happily together, but with no intention of marrying. It becomes clear however that they will not be able to live together in the US unless they are married. (Or as Elizabeth puts it, they are "sentenced to marry by the Homeland Security Department").
This book is about how they spend most of the next year traveling in Asia waiting for Felipe's visa to process and for much of this time that Elizabeth researches the concept of marriage. So the book is part love story, part travelogue and part history. Or again as Elizabeth puts it, a memoir (with extra socio-historical bonus sections!) about her efforts to make peace with the institution of marriage.
The results are patchy. The historical/sociological parts are well written and interesting enough, but after a while it feels too much like a lecture. (Especially when Elizabeth puts her case for same sex marriages. I have no issue with her views, but neither am I very interested in them). It's when she's describing her own experiences that Gilbert's writing really shines. There are wonderful accounts of encounters with the local people in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and I was also totally absorbed in her relationship with Felipe which she describes in a very honest and moving way. While she still has the same chatty and open writing style (which is very easy to read), she comes across as more mature and less self-absorbed this time around.
I'm not sure this book will stay with me in the way that Eat, Pray, Love did, but it was a satisfying read that did also make me think more about my own views on marriage.
This book is about how they spend most of the next year traveling in Asia waiting for Felipe's visa to process and for much of this time that Elizabeth researches the concept of marriage. So the book is part love story, part travelogue and part history. Or again as Elizabeth puts it, a memoir (with extra socio-historical bonus sections!) about her efforts to make peace with the institution of marriage.
The results are patchy. The historical/sociological parts are well written and interesting enough, but after a while it feels too much like a lecture. (Especially when Elizabeth puts her case for same sex marriages. I have no issue with her views, but neither am I very interested in them). It's when she's describing her own experiences that Gilbert's writing really shines. There are wonderful accounts of encounters with the local people in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and I was also totally absorbed in her relationship with Felipe which she describes in a very honest and moving way. While she still has the same chatty and open writing style (which is very easy to read), she comes across as more mature and less self-absorbed this time around.
I'm not sure this book will stay with me in the way that Eat, Pray, Love did, but it was a satisfying read that did also make me think more about my own views on marriage.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not quite what I expected......
After readin Eat, Pray, Love I expected a very similar book, particularly as everyone said this was the sequel. Read more
Published 3 months ago by B
I really wanted to be committed to this author but...
I really don't mean to, but I have to be somewhat harsh!!!
I loved Eat Pray Love and I loved her narrative.I thought this is an author I myself will commit to. Read more
I loved Eat Pray Love and I loved her narrative.I thought this is an author I myself will commit to. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Maria Demetrios
Committed
Love the book, it is different from eat, pray , love which i found spiritually uplifting and enriching but it does deal with a very topical subject
Published 4 months ago by Ms. Mary Abigaba
committed
very fast delivery and excellent packaging. ordered it before christams and arrived in one day.
The book, is by far not as great as "eat, pray, love", still enjoyable and... Read more
The book, is by far not as great as "eat, pray, love", still enjoyable and... Read more
Published 4 months ago by diana lala
Eat Pray Love sequel
Anyone who has loved Eat,Pray, Love will relish Elizabeth Gilbert's thought provoking and humorous musings on the many layered question of marriage ... Read more
Published 5 months ago by ValW
too much talking about nothing
Well, i bought the book for the easy read, sonce "Eat, pray, love" was not bad and was actualy exciting to read... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Breda
sequel to eat,pray,love
I found the original EPL somewhat self indulgent but this is far worse. I bought it second hand so I gave it a little better reveue as I don't mind paying for cheap crap! Read more
Published 6 months ago by Polly
Research, not novel
"Committed" is a research document on marriage, its history, traditions, and significance in various cultures and times. It is easy to read, funny in parts, and interesting. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Zeynep CB
Very enjoyable
After reading mediocre reviews of this book, I wasn't sure what to expect. But having just gone through a divorce and wondering what marriage is all about, I really enjoyed the... Read more
Published 7 months ago by Risa
Disappointing
Having loved Eat, Pray, Love, I was so looking forward to Elizabeth Gilbert's next book. Oh, how disappointing! Read more
Published 8 months ago by S. Lindley
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