{Book Review} Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

April 23, 2017Daniella

 

In honor of World Book Day #lovetoread and my passion for reading, I have started a book review segment that will be added to this blog more regularly. Please enjoy my first review of an inspirational non-fiction book:

In this book, Elizabeth Gilbert paints a vivid picture about the beauty and fulfillment that art and especially living a creative life can cultivate. She encourages readers not to worry too much about obtaining higher education when it comes to artistic living (not too sure that I agree with her). This book delves into the possibilities that await you when you decide to say “yes” to any idea that chooses you (she views ideas as living entities). She makes it seem delightfully simple to lead a life full of light and wonder to feed your soul. The title is quite appropriate as she guides you towards seeing your value and pushes you to find your place in this magically creative world of ours. She wants all people to celebrate their curiosity, interests and perhaps latent or deeply buried sense of creativity. According to her we are all creative and it very likely only our fear that holds us back from living freely as we should.

Big magic is written as a template and provides valuable lessons for unleashing your creativity. It attempts to get people back in touch with their authentic creative urges, while living in a world that generally grinds away at our time and freedom. This book is aimed mostly at writers and artists but also anyone who would like to inject a little bit of magic into their lives. Her approach to creativity comes across as quite mystical, but with some rational and logical points. She encourages people to live more deeply rather than strive for meaningless titles and in the process, rejects many artistic clichés (for example, the problematic and suffering artists). It is a book focused on the possibility of self-actualization and about reaching your true potential.

This book lends belief to the fact that anything is creative, as long as it makes you value your own joy. She states that creativity relies on making choices that make you happy and anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong. This book should make you stop coming up with excuses for not at least trying to fulfill your creative dreams. There is nothing exclusive about her definition of self-expression and she enthralls you with tales about where your imagination can lead you. In this book, she makes it her personal mission to guide you away from fear, negativity and all forms of procrastination. You can view this book as more of a pep talk than an actual self-help book, because as she explains the creative process should not be for others, but for yourself. If it does help some others along the way, then that’s just an added bonus.

I learned a lot from reading this book, especially when it comes to following my instincts, and I have actually figured out how to pick up on that intense emotional and physiological feeling of inspiration. What I liked the most about this book was that creativity does not have to be some never thought of or completely original idea, but you can take something that has been done and make it your own through passion and effort.

I gleaned that even when you feel like you don’t have inspiration, you should just follow your curiosity and what interests you, and it will lead you to inspiration and passion. I followed her instructions and was pleasantly surprised at the idea that came to mind for my next creative endeavor, thank you Miss Gilbert!


On the other hand, the book does have an air of vagueness and generalization that makes it difficult to take all the advice seriously. It’s as if she is trying too hard to sound sincere and knowledgeable, that you sometimes doubt her wisdom and credibility. She also has a tendency to contradict her statements and will proclaim one fact in a chapter and then completely discredit it in the next.

Other than those issues, her love of creativity and the magic we call art is utterly infectious, and definitely inspired me to live a more meaningful and creative life.I do recommend reading Big Magic, it would benefit anyone whether you believe you are creative or not… Go ahead, let go of your fear, free your inner creativity and allow the Big Magic of inspiration to influence your life in remarkable ways…

Comments (22)

  • Cayce

    April 24, 2017 at 5:40 pm

    I love the cover for this book! Might have to put it on my reading list.

    1. Daniella

      April 26, 2017 at 9:36 am

      I know, I love how colorful it is, makes it very appealing to read. I would definitely recommend you add it, makes you feel quite good about life. Let me know if you enjoy it!

  • Cole

    April 24, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    I’m just over halfway through this book, and I agree with a lot of the things you’ve said. I love that she really goes on and on about how much she loves creativity, and really pushes for it. It is definitely inspirational and motivates me, but I can see how she does seem to contradict herself from time to time. Especially the part about post-secondary school, lol!

    1. Daniella

      April 26, 2017 at 9:39 am

      Thanks for sharing, I’m glad you are enjoying it. I think she was trying to just have fun with this book rather than get too technical, and some points might have just become confused. I hope you enjoy the rest of it!

  • Candace

    April 24, 2017 at 6:07 pm

    I genuinely loved this book. Mainly that ideas flow through energy. And if you don’t have time or take it seriously, they will flow to someone else and you have to accept that with grace and appreciation. There’s something’s in the idea of trusting that the right thing will flow to you at the right time that is realy magically.

    Candace
    Meandreegs.com

    1. Daniella

      April 26, 2017 at 9:41 am

      I know, that grabbed my attention as well! It takes a lot of pressure off too, when you know the universe will provide you with what you need at the right time in your life! Its truly magical! 🙂

  • Scarlett

    April 27, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    There are a lot of great points in this book, and it is very inspirational, while sometimes a bit vague. I do love her real-world examples though.

    1. Daniella

      April 29, 2017 at 11:27 am

      I know, she has this way of inspiring and motivating you to take action, which I really enjoyed too!

  • Kim

    April 28, 2017 at 11:42 pm

    I have heard so much about this book. I have to put it on my must read list.

    1. Daniella

      April 29, 2017 at 11:28 am

      I would definitely recommend it! let me know what you think once you read it.

  • Johanna

    May 3, 2017 at 5:49 pm

    love everything on this post! Great article ❤️

    1. Daniella

      May 4, 2017 at 8:44 am

      Thank you so much for your kind words Johanna! 🙂

  • Menna

    May 3, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    Great book and a great review… Thank you

    1. Daniella

      May 4, 2017 at 8:45 am

      Thank you so much Menna, I appreciate it! 🙂

  • Sloane

    May 4, 2017 at 5:44 pm

    Thanks for the review. This one has been on my list since it came out.

    1. Daniella

      May 5, 2017 at 8:38 am

      My pleasure! I hope you enjoy it! Let me know what you think once you are done.

  • Haley Marie

    May 27, 2017 at 5:27 pm

    I’ve heard of this book and I really want to read it! I wasn’t sure if I would like it but your review convinced me 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

    1. Daniella

      May 28, 2017 at 10:27 am

      My pleasure Haley! I’m glad I can convince you and I’m sure you will enjoy it! Let me know what you think once you’re done?

  • Swiggy Latest Coupons

    June 12, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    Great review.

    1. Daniella

      June 13, 2017 at 9:45 am

      Thank you!

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    February 4, 2018 at 10:58 pm

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    1. Daniella

      February 5, 2018 at 11:30 am

      Thank you very much for your kind words! I am so glad to hear that you enjoy my posts. Thank you so much for subscribing and I will be posting again soon. 🙂

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