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Publisher's Summary

Listeners of all ages and walks of life have drawn inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert's books for years. Now this beloved author shares her wisdom and unique understanding of creativity, shattering the perceptions of mystery and suffering that surround the process and showing us all just how easy it can be.

By sharing stories from her own life as well as from her friends and the people who have inspired her, Elizabeth Gilbert challenges us to embrace our curiosity, tackle what we most love and face down what we most fear.

Whether you long to write a book, create art, cope with challenges at work, embark on a long-held dream, or simply to make your everyday life more vivid and rewarding, Big Magic will take you on a journey of exploration filled with wonder and unexpected joys.

©2015 Elizabeth Gilbert. All rights reserved. (P)2015 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Critic Reviews

"Gilbert dares us into adventures of worldly discovery." ( The New York Times Book Review)
"Smart but unpretentious, funny, warm, and generous. By the end of one of her books, you feel as if she is your friend, too." ( San Francisco Chronicle)

What listeners say about Big Magic

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  • Lee
  • 24-01-2016

Brought me back to life

I will listen to this book over and over again! How did she see inside me? Outstanding, inspirational and deeply motivating. Welcome back creativity, you dear old friend!

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  • Mez
  • 06-10-2015

Brilliant

This is the best audio book I've listened to so far. Incredibly well written and beautifully read, relevant to anyone undergoing a stagnant creative rut or in my case, in need of courage to express myself fearlessly.

Loved every second of it!

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Wonderful

I loved it. Unlike some books on creativity, it's not preachy and doesn't scold, more like having a conversation with a compassionate mentor. Not all authors can or should narrate their own work, but Liz Gilbert does a wonderful job . I was terribly disappointed when i realized I'd finished it as i could have happily listened for another few hours, and will definitely be going back for a re-read.

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good in parts, loopy in others

if you can get past the 'destiny / universe wants X / ideas exist in the ether and are transmitted from one unknown person to the next' etc etc elements, then there are some nice phrases and sentiments and ideas.

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  • Dee
  • 15-01-2016

Outstanding, insightful, helpful, beautiful voice.

Loved it. I didn't want it to end. Beautifully spoken. Helpful, self worth restoring, brilliantly nurturing.

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Grateful for the big magic algorithm that gave me this book

Somehow missed the whole Eat Pray Love phenomenon, so when I finished The Signature of All Things (which I loved) I got a big surprise when I followed up on Elizabeth Gilbert.

This may be why I ended up with Big Magic after searching for a completely different Audible book, and I'm tremendously grateful.

I can't think of any other book I've listened to quite so intently. Not only does Elizabeth Gilbert have a lovely reading voice, but there is so much wisdom in Big Magic, I would recommend this book to everyone - not just frustrated artist, actors, writers, dancers...

I work in IT and haven't had an inclination to do anything creative since I had to do art at school. This book has inspired me in such a profound way that I'm now savouring and enjoying life like never before.

The tidbits about The Signature of All Things were also a bonus for me, because I completely lost myself in that wonderful story.

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Years of unanswered questions answered!

I've always been a creative person driven by inspiration & passion but never understood why I couldn't hold those feelings all the time or why when I stopping creating I'd feel like life had no meaning. This book explains all this & has helped me immensely in understanding how I work inside & what I have gone through as a creative person is normal! This book answers so many unanswered questions - a new ago of personal develop is revealed in this book. Am so grateful to have read it!

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Refreshing

A great listen. Encouraging all of us to be our creative selves free from the anxiety of perfectionism and criticism. Thanks Elizabeth.

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A murky, unsure story, told well.

Elizabeth Gilbert reads her story well, but it is marred by somewhat preposterous themes and awkward name dropping. It goes nowhere, although it does have some words of wisdom. I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it either.

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Awesome! Thoroughly enjoyed listening to Elizabeth

Inspired me to do something I never thought I'd do. Easy to listen to & her retell of stories past were very enjoyable.

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  • Lucy
  • 12-09-2020

Inspirational!

This book is very inspirational and demystifies the complex subject of creativity and creative living. It is witty, funny and relatable. I could not put it down.

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  • Richa Kejriwal
  • 03-05-2018

Couldn't stop listening

Inspiring and wonderfully motivating book. Loved every bit and learnt how creativity can change our life if only we can muster the courage to follow the sign.

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  • Vinutha
  • 22-11-2017

Expand your deeper meaning of Creativity.

Elizabeth brings in her own opinions on creativity and how/why not to stop this process. She connects each of her theory with an story that gets sketched into your mind forever. Enjoyed listening to it and I might listen to it again and again.

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  • Jane
  • 03-11-2023

Best book on creativity i'ever read

The book helped me to go through my hardest time writing my PhD thesis. Recommend it to everyone

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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-02-2023

Wonderful

What a create audio book to reconnect me into my creativity, to not take it so seriously and tap into the magic.

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  • kate Muller
  • 30-10-2022

loved every breath of it

food for the soul leading out of the madness and inyo a clear way of being. Gilbert voice is now in my head reminding me each step of the way . I will be listening to whole bok again and again harvesting every treasure of insight

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  • Anonymous User
  • 22-01-2022

incredibly Inspiring

this is the best book for creatives I've read to date!
Magic indeed...
You won't regret it!

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  • Lillu (Aletta) Deysel
  • 04-01-2022

My next new Bybel, love this

Amazing 💙♥️💜💙♥️💜 nothing to add, nothing to take away. This is amazing just like Eet love pray, every time I listen to it, I get more out of it, thank you Elizabeth

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  • Anonymous User
  • 17-11-2021

very enjoyable

I love her tone as she narrates this book and it wasn't quite what I expected but it's a good book. very practical. Big magic sounds grand at first, you think it's about getting big ideas, a grand sparkly bright life etc but I love it's kind of down to earth- ness. How everyday people can find their magic and navigate their ways around life's blockages that stop us from being our best. big magic is about accessing your best self.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 05-05-2021

creative freedom

This book really helped me to let go of my own expectations of myself and just accept that my creativity is a part of what it is to be me.

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  • Andy F.
  • 01-12-2015

Big Magic indeed!

There's just something wonderful about Liz Gilbert. This was my first encounter with her writings having initially dismissed Eat. Pray. Love. as (and I know I'll get stick for this) "a bit too girly". However, discovering her at Big Magic is an excellent, hype free (relatively) way to engage with her writings.

I've found them pretty inspirational and am currently writing a business plan for an arts project I'd always dreamed about. Whether it's a success or not will be anyone's guess, but I'm more comfortable with fear being along for the trip as a result of this book. It's allowed me to accept that you need to take risks to be happy when you live a creative life.

Having the book read by Liz really enhances the overall experience, after all, who better to perform the piece than the person who wrote it?

In short, listen to this book. It has the potential to be life changing!

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  • Mr & Mrs D
  • 28-09-2015

Inspiring listen

Great listen especially if you are struggling to self motivate or having trouble believing in your own self worth. Will listen to this audio book again and be seeking out other books by this author.

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  • Ian B Magic
  • 19-10-2017

Not practical, spiritual and wishy-washy.

Couldn't finish it. Dreadful.
I was looking for a book to get my creative juices flowing and instead found this one: a book where ideas are real things flowing around the universe and it is down to our consciousness to touch them.
"Ideas have no material body, but they do have consciousness and they most certainly have will. Ideas are driven by a single impulse : to be made manifest. The only way ideas can be made manifest in this world is through collaboration with a human partner... "
If you like talking to your fear as if it's a child you're taking on a journey while floating your subconscious in the cosmos trying to touch ideas then this is for you. It's not for me.

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  • Jlh548
  • 11-11-2015

Gilbert is a fabulous narrator

What made the experience of listening to Big Magic the most enjoyable?

It's a great book - super inspiring and helpful in uncovering lost or dormant creativity. Gilbert is also a fabulous narrator - makes you feel as if she's speaking straight to you! Couldn't "put it down", as it were.

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  • kindle fire hd user
  • 07-11-2015

Magic!!

Absolutely loved this audio book, I listened to it all in just two days I was addicted and quite sad it had to end. She tells inspirational stories from her own life and others in a very lighthearted way and she had me belly laughing at somethings... As soon as i finished listening to this, I signed a contract with inspiration when she came knocking (you will have to read to know what I mean) Definitely recommend this book to anyone who struggles to get their creative juices flowing and experiences mind block from time to time. She just tell it as it is!

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  • Beth
  • 10-11-2015

Big Magic is magic!

You can tell that this has been authentically written from the heart and soul and uses the authors life experiences to connect with all of US the creative beings out there. A joy to listen to and I'll be listening again. soon

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  • Alicia Kon
  • 22-10-2015

a Good Spirit whispering in my ear :-)

I ve listened to the audio book several times - it's like a friend sharing her experiences with me... loved it!

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  • Elizabeth
  • 09-11-2015

Lovely

This book illustrates a very freeing attitude towards aspects of life and encouraged me to look deeper within myself. Very inspiring words.

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  • Rhoda
  • 11-10-2015

soaked it up

loved big magic. I'd listened to the podcasts beforehand and knew that I needed this book!

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  • Daria
  • 08-11-2015

A marvel, soon to be classic!

A fantastic line narrated by the author. Captivating, smooth, smart and inspiring.

Would recommend to everyone to read at least once.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.