I can't stand Elizabeth Gilbert

A disclaimer: I thought Eat, Pray Love was the biggest piece of shit ever published and I don't ever say that about books. I was particularly dismayed by her Americanized interpretation of Eastern religion and culture, the whole India-Ashram-tourism thing. Also, I have a low tolerance for pathetic women and the whole book seemed like a whine-fest. Ugh, my life is so terrible, I'm hanging out in Bali and Italy and India. Maybe my problem with the book is that it represented everything that is wrong with America and American culture and then my belief that American culture is in the shitter was reinforced by the hoardes of women who like, cried over that inauthentic piece of shit. And even though I read it, it was like some force was holding it in front of my face and flipping the pages for me and I just had to read it. So yes, I finished it, okay? And then felt mildly violated afterwards. And even though my hands are twitching as I post this (with enormous hesitation), I think this interview is relevant and interesting and quite well-articulated, albeit with a sufficient amount of Gilbert-esque jokey palsy-talk to make you cringe a little. So, okay, Elizabeth Gilbert, I will probably read your new book. But don't expect me to buy that shit, okay? I'll get it at the Los Feliz Library.

In The WSJ a couple of days ago:

AP: But then what's the point of marriage? Wouldn't it be more honorable, and more honest, to embrace the Northern European path and say, hey, we're going to do our best to stay together for the family, even if we're unmarried? What is marriage if it isn't forever? What then separates us from Britney Spears?

EG: Oh, Ann, Ann, Ann. Please don't force me to make a list of what separates me from Britney Spears. Marriage is a strange combination of dream and reality, and we spend our lives as couples trying to negotiate that divide. I will say this, because I think it is the single most important piece of information in the whole story: Marriage is not a game for the young. One lesson that Britney can teach us is: Don't get married when you're 20 years old, for reasons I am certain I do not need to explain. Maturity brings—among other things—the ability to sustain and survive enormous contradictions and disappointments. Marriage is—among other things—a study in contradiction and disappointment, and inside that reality there is space for us to truly learn how to love. But it is wise to check at least a few of our most idealistic youthful dreams at the door before entering.