Mohammad Bakuwuban Bakuwuban من عند Silondi, Madhya Pradesh, الهند
I can't help but think that this book is becoming a victim of its own success. I admit that I grabbed this one because I just wanted to see what the fuss was all about. I was pleasantly surprised. I found Gilbert to be a charming and funny. For those who accuse her of being a bit obsessed with self, well, the subtitle IS called One Woman's Search for Everything - it's supposed to be from her point of view, based on her experiences. As a fan of the humorous essay form, I can easily point to MUCH more self-obsessed essays by men who never catch that kind of flack. Gilbert has also been criticized for receiving an advance before she began her trip. That's how writers get paid, and Gilbert had already established her credentials with previous books. Perhaps more importantly, though, is that there is not the sense that Gilbert tried to manufacture her experiences to conform to a particular formula or outcome. There are certainly enough moments where her portrayal of herself is sufficiently unflattering that one gets the sense that she is trying to be honest.
I don't typically go for war novels, but this is just so beautifully written.