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Living with Gusto
Fiction/Inspirational
2014 National Indie Excellence Book Award Finalist
Let's begin at the end. The final words from Ophelia, the
"I sometimes wonder if I did it on purpose, if I consciously broke everything in my life that was working. And if so, if I had known how it would feel to have my husband unable to look at me, if I had realized my daughter and I would go months without speaking, and if I had understood the extent of the destruction I would bring to the life we had built, would I have still done it? Would I have still made that single decision that became the turning point in our lives?
I still wonder. Had I not created that catalyst that landed me in the grip of despair, would I have been able to hear Gusto telling me, 'The suffering needs to end'? Or would the suffering have remained as silent as his voice had become?
For now, I’ll do as Gusto once asked me to do when the answers were mine to create. I’ll let the questions roll on the backs of waves until the ocean of time turns them into something I want to reach out to and pull to me, until clarity surfaces and I want nothing less than to embrace it like the sweetness of a mango.
For now, I have the one answer that matters. I know who I am.
I am Ophelia."
2014 National Indie Excellence Book Award Finalist
Let's begin at the end. The final words from Ophelia, the
"I sometimes wonder if I did it on purpose, if I consciously broke everything in my life that was working. And if so, if I had known how it would feel to have my husband unable to look at me, if I had realized my daughter and I would go months without speaking, and if I had understood the extent of the destruction I would bring to the life we had built, would I have still done it? Would I have still made that single decision that became the turning point in our lives?
I still wonder. Had I not created that catalyst that landed me in the grip of despair, would I have been able to hear Gusto telling me, 'The suffering needs to end'? Or would the suffering have remained as silent as his voice had become?
For now, I’ll do as Gusto once asked me to do when the answers were mine to create. I’ll let the questions roll on the backs of waves until the ocean of time turns them into something I want to reach out to and pull to me, until clarity surfaces and I want nothing less than to embrace it like the sweetness of a mango.
For now, I have the one answer that matters. I know who I am.
I am Ophelia."
210 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2013
67 people are currently reading
475 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 6, 2014
Half the book wasn't bad but the other half was awful. The author alternates between telling the day to day reality of the main character's life and her relationship with "gusto" who is her inner zest for life. Without the gusto parts which I thought were just dumb the author could have developed the rest of the story into a decent novel.
August 6, 2014
Not very inspiring.
I was interested in the story of what Ophelia had done but we got almost none of that. We just got silly, boring, stiff scenes with Ophelia and Gusto.
I feel cheated of the hours that it took to read this, even though it didn't take that many hours.
Skip this one.
I was interested in the story of what Ophelia had done but we got almost none of that. We just got silly, boring, stiff scenes with Ophelia and Gusto.
I feel cheated of the hours that it took to read this, even though it didn't take that many hours.
Skip this one.
May 28, 2014
This is a beautifully written book that follows the same character through two dimensions. The first is what we know to be her daily reality, the world in which she lives, works, and parents. This story line carries with it a mystery of sorts; only as the book progresses do we find out what it is she's "done" and whether or not her actions can be (or should be) repaired. I won't say anymore on that so as not to spoil it, but it's compelling.
The second dimension is the main character's dealings with Gusto, who we understand to be her inner wisdom of sorts, though the scenes with him take place with very real objects and lessons. I'm doing a terrible job of explaining this, which makes me appreciate the book even more, because the author does it so seamlessly and believably. With Gusto the protagonist is able to evaluate what is (and is not) important in her life, why she has made (or needed to make ) the decisions she has, and what shape her life will take in accordance with her answers to those questions.
You have to have an open mind and an open heart. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when the main character describes how another couple looked with disdain on a project she'd been excited about. They dismissed it as "cheesy". The point of this is not what others think, but how you let that effect (affect?) you. She expresses anger at giving up on something which had very real meaning to her, just because someone else wrote it off. That scene represents an important part of how any reader should approach the book. If you are willing to be honest with yourself (not something everyone is ready for), this book can be an inspiring story of finding peace and happiness in the chaos of life and appreciating every little bit of that chaos along the way.
Beautifully written, compelling, inspiring. Highly recommend.
The second dimension is the main character's dealings with Gusto, who we understand to be her inner wisdom of sorts, though the scenes with him take place with very real objects and lessons. I'm doing a terrible job of explaining this, which makes me appreciate the book even more, because the author does it so seamlessly and believably. With Gusto the protagonist is able to evaluate what is (and is not) important in her life, why she has made (or needed to make ) the decisions she has, and what shape her life will take in accordance with her answers to those questions.
You have to have an open mind and an open heart. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when the main character describes how another couple looked with disdain on a project she'd been excited about. They dismissed it as "cheesy". The point of this is not what others think, but how you let that effect (affect?) you. She expresses anger at giving up on something which had very real meaning to her, just because someone else wrote it off. That scene represents an important part of how any reader should approach the book. If you are willing to be honest with yourself (not something everyone is ready for), this book can be an inspiring story of finding peace and happiness in the chaos of life and appreciating every little bit of that chaos along the way.
Beautifully written, compelling, inspiring. Highly recommend.
September 29, 2014
I must've gotten this Kindle book for free because it's not one I would normally choose for myself, and I had no idea what it was about when I started reading it. I was pleasantly surprised, though. It was a quick read, and falls in the "inspirational" category. The story got pretty silly at times, but I thought the overall message had some good points about being honest with yourself and getting rid of fear that is holding you back. Might be a good read to recommend to someone that feels "stuck in a rut" in their life. (though i would not consider it a "how to" book, it has some good motivational quotes mixed into the story as the main character works through a hard time in her own life)
The main benefit of reading it would be the motivational statements, which are summarized at the end. I think the story is the "love it or hate it" type where some people will be totally turned off and some will find it interesting.
The main benefit of reading it would be the motivational statements, which are summarized at the end. I think the story is the "love it or hate it" type where some people will be totally turned off and some will find it interesting.
January 5, 2015
Opened My Eyes
This book resonated with me. Fears, doubts, guilt. Finding answers through trust, forgiveness, and letting go. I did wonder about the mistake Ophelia made at the beginning of the book, and how it affected others. But it also reminded me not to judge others. The answers are not trite-they are real. I already meditate, but l now will listen to my heart. And see what happens. );
This book resonated with me. Fears, doubts, guilt. Finding answers through trust, forgiveness, and letting go. I did wonder about the mistake Ophelia made at the beginning of the book, and how it affected others. But it also reminded me not to judge others. The answers are not trite-they are real. I already meditate, but l now will listen to my heart. And see what happens. );
July 13, 2015
Very good and different...
Well written and full of meaningful insights about living in an authentic way. The way the book is written is very different because the chapters alternate between the main character's normal reality and her inner one -- I liked that. Recommend this book for anyone.
Well written and full of meaningful insights about living in an authentic way. The way the book is written is very different because the chapters alternate between the main character's normal reality and her inner one -- I liked that. Recommend this book for anyone.
June 2, 2016
I think I read this at just the right time in my life. A year ago or a year from now, it might not have had the same punch. I originally thought it was a self-help book, and it was, but it wasn't. Back and forth between one woman's reality and her imagination, she comes to several conclusions about her life.
October 3, 2015
a woman "destroys" everything. What she did is incomprehensible to all, including herself. What follows is almost an argument with her conscience / imaginary friend (Gusto) about how to forgive herself and move on. A fascinating read which has lots for everyone to consider
July 7, 2015
It is a strange book. I nearly stopped reading after the first chapter. But I read a few more pages. And then a few more. And I found myself being drawn into the book. There are powerful images here. Words worth remembering. Not everyone will like this book. But it spoke to me.
March 11, 2014
This is an empowering novel. It teaches you to enjoy simple things in life, to learn to accept and love oneself. Great work Elizabeth!
September 11, 2014
So many wonderful quotes. Just like the main character - I wanted to write them all down! Really makes you look at how you are living your life.
October 9, 2014
Good book.
July 24, 2016
Book of thoughtful insight into self.
I re-read the book as I was reading it for the first time. It was definitely a reflective experience. Will visit the Gusto cafe.
I re-read the book as I was reading it for the first time. It was definitely a reflective experience. Will visit the Gusto cafe.
March 19, 2018
Inspiring reminder that life is to be lived fully
From the title , I was drawn to this story! it was calling me 😍 This is a beautifully written story, full of simple wisdoms for every day . I liked the flow of the story and the feeling I experienced while going from page to page! A must read!
From the title , I was drawn to this story! it was calling me 😍 This is a beautifully written story, full of simple wisdoms for every day . I liked the flow of the story and the feeling I experienced while going from page to page! A must read!
January 6, 2021
A strange book, the parts where the heroine was in the real world were too short.
February 8, 2021
different type of book for me. fast read
September 10, 2014
This was a tough one to get through. The story that is the driving force and the lessons learned were clear enough, but how it bounced back and forth left me feeling lost and frustrated. It took a long time for me to muddle through it, but at the end, I can't say I hated it. In fact, I liked it, but didn't love it. It could use some better transitions between her time with Gusto and what was going on in reality.
August 24, 2016
Not what I expected. Wanted more of an uplifting/energetic inspirational tool - was more of a psychological 'mellow-drama'. 'Gusto' is the writer's subconscious - a bit depressing, definitely not filled with GUSTO in what one would normally imagine.
March 16, 2015
I managed to read about half of the Gusto-chapters then I simply skipped them. The other, real-life part of the story kept my interest, so I went on to find out what happened to Ophelia and her family.
January 28, 2015
One of the worst concepts I've seen for a book. If this is supposed to be inspirational, I would say the author missed the mark. I made it through 16% before I quit. Gusto is a grown woman's imaginary friend and also her "gusto." Really?
February 7, 2015
I'm not entirely sure why I finished reading this book. I kept thinking we would see more parts about her life, but most of it wasn't about that. It wasn't the worst book I've ever read but it didn't make me want to keep reading or feel like I couldn't wait to get back to it.
December 26, 2015
I stopped this around 40% the alternating story between Ophelia and her changing life and her "trip" with "Gusto" was just a little hard for me to get invested in. It's a shame because I really love the author's website and the messages she shares in them. good thing this was a free book....
August 9, 2014
Weird. Weird weird weird. The second star was just for keeping me reading to see if it ever really made sense.
Want to read
August 7, 2014Had to put this one down. Too depressing when you're depressed. Maybe I'll pick it up another day.
August 16, 2014
I agree with another reviewer...weird,weird,weird! I did finish it just to see how the reality story ended and that was also a let down.
September 9, 2014
I read 47% of this while waiting in the doctor's office for nearly an hour. I am far enough along to know what Ophelia did, but not why, and I don't really care! I won't be reading further.
December 9, 2014
Can't finish reading this book. Too boring. No story, nonsense dialogues. No story at all.
March 25, 2015
This is really a self help book but written as a novel. I debated between 2 and 3 stars. Maybe I was generous with 3 stars. It wasn't spectacular but it has merits.
Read
April 15, 2015I just can't get on board with a lady that has a relationship with her inner voice. It/he has a name? Really? Just too weird for me. Stopped at 16%.
July 31, 2015
The message is a good one but the delivery...I did try, but me no gusto.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews