(I don't begrudge authors their book deals, just that the idea of ending a marriage and seeking one's soulmate in Indonesia on Penguin's dime made the whole endeavor seem contrived to fulfill a narrative rather than reflections on experience.)
Replies
Well, yeah she got the book deal first. Its how she could afford her trip. Its a grift from beginning to end.
sep 1, 2025, 10:39 pm • 3 0 • view
That’s what I mean; it was really disillusioning as a reader. (I was more naive then.)
sep 1, 2025, 10:44 pm • 1 0 • view
I see, yeah. Of course it hurts when you get hit with something like that.
sep 1, 2025, 11:07 pm • 1 0 • view
It made me angry. I felt betrayed; I’d been relating to the raw writing about a disintegrating marriage (they are in Italy, as I recall), and then sputtered (inside), “She has a BOOK DEAL while she’s doing all of this?” I think I threw the book on the floor; I remember that I did gasp out loud.
sep 1, 2025, 11:13 pm • 1 0 • view
Ooof I can see that. I wanted to read the book but never got round to it (my TBR pile is... TALL). Then I found out she was paid to write it, which killed all interest. If you want something about culture and spiritual discovery that IS real may I suggest Wisdom Sits in Places by Keith Basso?
sep 1, 2025, 11:42 pm • 1 0 • view
Thanks! I appreciate the recommendation! (My TBR pile is also large but I take personal referrals to heart.)
sep 1, 2025, 11:44 pm • 1 0 • view
Yup! Its by an anthropologist who spends time making maps for the Apache. Its about memory and place, and spiritual inheritance. I just kinda ended up staring at the back cover for a while after I read it, processing.
sep 1, 2025, 11:47 pm • 2 0 • view
It sounds extraordinary. Thank you.
sep 1, 2025, 11:49 pm • 1 0 • view