If you are a blogger like me or even a professional writer, you no doubt get that fantasy of getting your big break. That one post, that one article, that one manuscript so carefully written and sent to the publisher with hopes of becoming the next big one.
The book Julie and Julia feeds into that dream of becoming a successful (and famous) author.
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| {Disclaimer: I saw the movie first, and probably read the book picturing Amy Adams and Meryl Streep narrating. This may or may not have skewed my view of the book. Who knows.} |
Julie Powell was an average gal about to turn 30 and wasn’t sure she had done anything meaningful with her life. She had dreams of becoming a successful writer, however she had yet to be published. So she went on with life, at her dead-end-dreadful job in her tiny, crappy apartment, feeling like a total failure. She had also recently found out that she had a syndrome that would make it difficult for her to have children and would also cause her to gain weight and grow hairy (ek). In the midst of all of this chaos, depression, and bitterness, she decided that she would take on a huge project: cooking through the book Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child.
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| Some folks got upset that there was a sort of “advertisement” for the movie/book Julie and Julia on the beloved book. But it’s a sleeve so you can just take it off.. (Source) |
I think many people can relate to this “coming of age” or even “mid-life crisis” idea. I myself am about to turn 25 in April and for some reason, it just gets me thinking. And that isn’t always a good thing…
I feel like I haven’t accomplished what I thought I would at this point in my life. I was one of those kids that had their life all planned out. I would go to college to be an architect, get married young, have kids young (so I would be the cool parent that could relate to her kiddos) and basically be an awesome, loaded mom with a house I designed myself, chillin with my kids and their friends. Sort of like how Lorelei is with Rory on Gilmore Girls.
Alas, I did not go to college right out of high school. I got involved in Quixtar (or as it’s now called, Amway) and decided I did not need to go to college at that time and started working 60 hour work weeks while attending endless meetings and hang outs and conferences for my “business team.” I don’t regret all of it, I learned a lot about myself and grew up quite a bit in the process. It did, however, set me back three years in my schooling, and in my life (year-wise, at least), and also left me out of touch with my closest friends. Most everyone I graduated high school with has already graduated college and has their own life now. Many are getting married and having little ones. But I, the girl with the plan, am neither a rich architect (I have 2+ years left for my Nutrition/Exercise Science degree), nor am I married, nor am I a cool, young mom.
Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if I took on a similarly crazy venture like the Julie/Julia project. I suppose I do have the comfort that God has a plan for me, but still, life can get to a person, and growing older is scary sometimes.
I did a little research on the good ol interweb and was surprised to find the actual blog. I have no idea why I was surprised…sometimes I think of all novels (even ones based on truth) to simply be fictitious.
I was also surprised to see that A. it was a blogspot blog (everyone is saying we MUST GO TO WORDPRESS) and B. it’s not fancy, at all. In fact some of the posts are a few sentences…with HUNDREDS of comments! It’s so weird and almost maddening to me that she writes short little quips and I spend hours constructing a good blog post to put up…which hardly get noticed in comparison. AND the tagline was just a little crude for my liking.
I think I like the movie and the book better than the blog. It’s sort of disheartening, but I am writing a book review not blog review right?
Overall, I enjoyed the book and could relate to being a little bitter about life and trying to find a place in the world. I was encouraged that her little blog became a sensation and she eventually got to publish a book and became famous. Because what writer doesn’t have that occasional fantasy that what they are working so hard on will eventually really matter and make a difference. It was refreshing to see how “real” and honest she was. Many writers try to write to please others and hide their mistakes from others so no one will find out how imperfect they are.
Even with all of the swear words and bitterness, the story has inspired people. Just see the comments on her last post, which were many people who had just seen the movie or just read the book and were stopping by to comment on the blog.
It gives me hope that maybe one day my little blog could make a big impact and inspire and help people. Just maybe.
Pick up the movie and/or the book if you are wanting to feel inspired where you are right now, and don’t mind a few “f-bombs” and dry humor.
Have you read this book or seen the movie? What are your thoughts?
What books inspire you as a writer? I’d love to check them out!
Other sites/reviews to check out:
Stop Hating Julia Powell Please
Julia Child’s view of the Julie/Julia project
Juliepowell.blogspot.com
Friend says Julie/Julia project will keep Julia’s legacy alive
10 Qs for Julie
