Not that she needs any more marketing, viral or otherwise, but I attended Elizabeth Gilbert's Literary Arts talk at the Schnitz the other night, and have to say I found her totally charming -- smart, funny, warm, down-to-earth and unaffected. I liked her much better than I liked her book.
I bought a ticket because I was curious about the E.P.L. phenomenon: A woman in her very early 30s writes a book about her spiritual quest; it sells a bazillion copies, spawns an adoring cult of (mostly female) readers, and remains #1 on the New York Times bestseller list for more than a year and counting. I'm still a bit squicked by the fact that so many people apparently regard one woman's experience as the key to getting their own lives in order. But I came away believing that Elizabeth is genuine, and a mensch, and I don't begrudge her her good fortune. I'm sure she'll be relieved to hear that.
05 April 2008
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2 comments:
I am so happy to hear you say that. I know you well enough to believe that you would not otherwise be taken in!!
Glad to hear it. Maybe I'd like the book better if I'd gone to hear her. Or maybe I was just in a pissy mood when I read it!
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