We love: Elizabeth Gilbert

So, on Wednesday night TWR and our lovely reader guest Corinna Gordon Barnes (check out her inspiring website for help on starting up a business) went to listen to Elizabeth Gilbert (she of Eat, Pray, Love fame) at the Intelligence Squared talk in London. Due to the somewhat touchy-feely element of the book and the reviews of the film referring to its 'cheesey' content, I was a little apprehensive that Ms Gilbert would be saccharine heavy....

Nothing of the sort, she blew us away with her comments and both Corrina and I felt we wanted her as a friend. She must go on loads of book promos and get interviewed a lot but she sounded fresh and genuine to us. 

Her new book Committed, is out now, she also recommended another author Ann Patchett, who she has corresponded with (they vowed never to email each other, only to write letters) since they met at a writers conference some years ago. Bel Canto and Truth & Beauty are her two recommendations.

She is witty, tells a terrific story, can be quite edgy and spoke wise but common-sense heavy words. We easily fell under her spell. If you get a chance to hear her speak, do. For those who don't get the chance, here she is in edited highlights from Wednesday night... Almost as good. And the film comes out in the UK on 24th September.

You might like to know that there are some good talks on at Intelligence Squared this autumn, check out the website. We fancy The Great Explorers...some dashing ones are turning up to speak.

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Comments

[lisa taylor]

i was there wednesday and also found her very inspirational and i,along with the audience fell under her spell!! shes definately the type of person you would love as your best friend, witty,intelligent and she would always be there for you. If only Committed had lived up to Eat pray love.........im still struggling through it as we speak!

[Corrina Gordon-Barnes]

Such a pleasure to be there with you! - thank you.

Liz was captivating. She describes how she learnt from her family dinner parties that that you have to EARN the floor by telling the best stories - and she really does, both in her books and when she speaks live.

The video doesn't do her justice. If the chance comes up to see her speak live, GO! She's one of those rare genuinely happy people, full of wisdom and warmth.

With gratitude and warm wishes,
Corrina

Corrina