Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear

Elizabeth Gilbert

Sep 2015 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

The instant #1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestseller

"A must read for anyone hoping to live a creative life... I dare you not to be inspired to be brave, to be free, and to be curious.” —PopSugar

From the worldwide bestselling author of Eat Pray Love and City of Girls: the path to the vibrant, fulfilling life you’ve dreamed of.
 
Readers of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration and empowerment from Elizabeth Gilbert’s books for years. Now this beloved author digs deep into her own generative process to share her wisdom and unique perspective about creativity. With profound empathy and radiant generosity, she offers potent insights into the mysterious nature of inspiration. She asks us to embrace our curiosity and let go of needless suffering. She shows us how to tackle what we most love, and how to face down what we most fear. She discusses the attitudes, approaches, and habits we need in order to live our most creative lives. Balancing between soulful spirituality and cheerful pragmatism, Gilbert encourages us to uncover the “strange jewels” that are hidden within each of us. Whether we are looking to write a book, make art, find new ways to address challenges in our work,  embark on a dream long deferred, or simply infuse our everyday lives with more mindfulness and passion, Big Magic cracks open a world of wonder and joy.

Ratings and reviews

A few times I was moved. Encouraging people through anecdotal story is charming. What is missing is the deeper messiness... How does one replace self criticism with curiosity? How do we play, risk, put on the lobster costume? Its accidental here except for the drudgery of hard work. Gilbert is a skilled in research. She fails to connect the magic to the skill building necessary to access the magic. Its not the what. Ideas add a dime a dozen. Its the HOW...

Alot of great insight and fun stories told in an enjoyable writing style. just fell short on some of the evidence and explanations but still essential and great reminders for creators and creatives of all walks of life.

I read this book in less than 24 hours. It saved me from certain creative demise by giving me a old perspective back - the perspective on me as a young girl discovering that I was called to the arts. I really didn't think of being good at it or awesome. I just loved it and I was satisfied with that. This book brought me back home to that place to do it for the love - unconditionally. Thank you Elizabeth Gilbert. I will probably read this again. :-)

About the author

Elizabeth Gilbert is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Big Magic, Eat Pray Love, and The Signature of All Things, as well as several other internationally bestselling books of fiction and nonfiction. She has been a finalist for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the PEN/Hemingway Award. Her latest novel, City of Girls, comes out in June, 2019.