Book Club Discussion: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
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Hey there, bookworms! Welcome to my virtual book club discussion, featuring none other than the delightful masterpiece called Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert! Get ready to dive into this literary gem, and when you’re done, join me in the comments section for some discussions. Feel free to tackle any of the discussion questions or simply spill the beans on what you thought about the book. No pressure, no deadlines—just a bit of fun!
Quick Recap of Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
To quickly recap Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, was written by none other than the fabulous Elizabeth Gilbert, author of the beloved Eat, Pray, Love. The movie was rubbish but the book was hugely popular.
Now, when I first stepped into the world of being a celebrant, I never really considered myself as a “creative” type. But as time went on, I realised that’s exactly what I am, and now I wear that badge with pride.
But here’s the thing, my friends: Gilbert’s words of wisdom are not just for us celebrants or self-proclaimed creatives. No, no! They’re for every single soul out there. Her main message boils down to this: living a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear.
Now, let’s get down to business. I bet some chapters of this book hit you right in the feels while others left you scratching your head a bit. The book is split into six sections: Courage, Enchantment, Permission, Persistence, Trust, and Divinity.
If you’re on a quest to uncover your hidden creative mojo, the Courage section probably resonated with you the most. But if you’ve been hustling on your creative journey for ages, the Persistence and Trust sections might have been just the perspective you needed.
Hopefully, there was something for everyone in this book. Let’s find out.
Discussion 1: The Curse of Perfectionism
A good-enough novel violently written now is better than a perfect novel meticulously written never
Let that sink in for a moment. It’s a powerful reminder that perfection isn’t the end-all, be-all. Sometimes, getting things done and checking them off our list is way more important than obsessing over every tiny detail. So, let’s embrace this mantra, my friend, and let our imperfect but completed tasks rule the day. Done and dusted is a victory in itself!
Q. Do you struggle with perfectionism? When is this a good trait, and when does it get in the way?
Discussion 2: Not caring what other people think
We all spend our twenties and thirties trying to be perfect, because we’re so worried about what people will think of us. Then we get into our forties and fifties, and we finally start to be free, because we decide that we don’t give a damn what anyone thinks of us. But you won’t be completely free until you reach your sixties and seventies, when you finally realize this liberating truth—nobody was ever thinking about you, anyhow.
Q. Do you think it’s true that we tend to give fewer hoots about what others think of us? Do we really have to wait until we hit our golden years to break free from the shackles of caring too much about people’s opinions?
Discussion 3: When your creative Thunder gets Stolen
There is no time or space where inspiration comes from—and also no competition, no ego, no limitations.
Page 63
Gilbert moved on from the “loss” of her novel to Ann Patchett. Shortly after, Gilbert talks about the idea of multiple discovery, where people in different places arrive at the same idea or discovery at roughly the same time.
Q: When you see someone release something into the world that you’ve been thinking about doing yourself, what’s your immediate reaction? Does the work you’ve already done feel wasted?
RATING Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
I’d slap a solid four stars on this book, no doubt about it. Sure, there were some wonky worldviews that I could have done without, but overall, Elizabeth Gilbert’s insights and inspirations on embracing a creative life hit the mark.
How many stars would you give this book?
And what will your next creative endeavour be?
MY BOOKS
If you had a good time reading this review, why not take a peek at the other books I’ve reviewed? There’s a lot more where that came from!
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I absolutely loved this book, Julie. My two key take aways were:
1. the idea that ideas exist independently from us and are looking for a home to bring them to life. This concept very much resonates with me and has helped me with motivation and the fear of copying others or being copied. It really brings home from me that if we are guided from our intuition and surrender then we are absolutely on the right path
2. That when you do things for other people, rather than yourself, you see the burden written all over their faces. When you do things you want to do, for yourself, you much more easily get people on board who want to be there.
I can think of so many examples of this throughout my life, whether it be in work environments, friends / family or even in the celebrant world. Another reminder to stay true to yourself.
Enjoy the catch up and I can’t wait to see you at the next one.
Love, Rachel x
I felt that the book took manifestation to another level.
We make our own luck. During the course of our lives we have many ideas come & go, but that idea won’t wait forever for you to develop it. A great idea is a great idea.
Really loved discussing the concepts in our supportive group.
Big Magic is a book that will inspire you to unleash your inner creativity and follow your passion. Liz Gilbert shares her own experience and stories of “Big Magic moments” that show how curiosity and courage can lead to amazing things. She also gives practical advice on how to balance your creative life with your day job, how to deal with failure and success, and how to be creative for yourself. Reading this book will make you feel like Liz is your biggest cheerleader, as she writes with an uplifting and inspiring tone. Big Magic is more than just a book about creativity. It’s also a book about living a life that is authentic, adventurous, and meaningful. It’s a book that challenges you to embrace your uniqueness, follow your curiosity, and trust your intuition. It’s a book that encourages you to take risks, experiment, and have fun. And it’s a book that reminds you that you have something valuable to offer to the world, and that the world is waiting for you to share it.