Book review 4: Eat Pray Love, One Woman’s Search for Everything Elizabeth Gilbert 

Growing up, we watched movies whose  storylines we barely understood –like Eat Pray Love.  I vividly remember a highly sensitive young woman constantly crying and having emotional outbursts. To some extent, I felt pity for her because she resembled misery.

Years later, I can relate to her.  Part of her journey resonates deeply with my own life.  When I say books find you, I mean exactly that–Eat Pray Love found me and essentially at the right age. 

My twenty-something year old self would have been very critical and harsh toward Liz.  According to my twenty-something old self, her life seemed chaotic and impulsive. 

Now, in my early thirties I recognise that she was evolving, unlearning and growing. She had to go through a phase where nothing made sense and everything felt as though it were falling apart. 

Perhaps it is because Liz had to confront  a question most known to us,  yet we struggle to answer. 

What do you want? 

It is easy to ask someone this question when they are younger. But once you have lived, loved, lost and experienced life fully, you are not quick to answer it. The response carries weight.

When Liz answered “How to live in this world and enjoy its delight”, her answer became a manifestation–a journey of discovery across Italy, India and Indonesia. 

Society plays a  powerful role in shaping our living standards. Because of this, we slowly lose touch of reality. We become blind to the beauty of the world and miss the simple joy of living. 

Small pleasures– like feeling excited about a cup of tea after work are overlooked, because we are too busy trying to keep up with the Joneses. 

If we truly searched within, we would discover that we have always been the ones we have been waiting for. We have always been the answer to our own prayers. 

And  if you are ever seeking to answer life’s greatest question, let your consciousness guide you. 

Book 4 of 2026.

A wholesome book. 

Phiwe Mncwabe is a pan-African storyteller, blogger and founder of Botlhale Hub Afrika.

More stories–https://botlhaleafrika.co.za/ 

Instagram– Phiwe_ Mncwabe

Tik Tok- PhiweMncwabe 

Twitter– Phiwe_ Mncwabe_ 

LinkedIn– Phiwe Mncwabe

No Facebook account

I am not affiliated to any political party. I am affiliated to the Africans. 

The views that  I share are mine and not affiliated to any employer. These views are not meant to bring harm.

Let’s talk about Africa. Which African country must I visit next? 

Read Africa. Write about Africa. Put Africa first!The hashtag to follow is #africabelongstoUS , #amplifyingvoices, #authenticstories