Elizabeth Gilbert, Author Of ‘Eat, Pray, Love,’ Pulls New Book Due To Backlash Over Russian Setting

Author Elizabeth Gilbert, who wrote the novel Eat, Pray, Love, has pulled her new book due to the backlash she received on its setting. 

The novel, The Snow Forest, was supposed to be released in February 2024, but now will no longer be released and all pre-orders will be canceled. 

The backlash is surrounding the fact that the book was supposed to take place in Russia. She received criticism from the Ukrainian community in light of Russia’s invasion of their country.

She posted a statement and video on Twitter. She wrote: “Important announcement about THE SNOW FOREST. Please note that if you were charged for your pre-order, you will be fully refunded. Thank you so much.”

In the video, she said, “Over the course of this weekend, I have received an enormous, massive outpouring of reactions and responses from my Ukrainian readers, expressing anger, sorrow, disappointment and pain, about the fact that I would choose to release a book into the world right now – any book, no matter what the subject is, that is set in Russia.” 

She continued that she has heard people’s concerns and criticism and that she respects their opinions. “I’m making a course correction, and I’m removing the book from its publication schedule,” she said. “It is not the time for this book to be published.”

She ends her video by adding, “I do not want to add any harm to a group of people who have already experienced and who are all continuing to experience grievous and extreme harm.”

The book was set to follow the journey of individuals living in Siberia that “remove themselves from Society to resist the Soviet government and try to defend nature against industrialization.”

This backlash is coming after Gilbert announced the book’s release, which Bloomsbury Books UK posted on Twitter. 

She plans on focusing on other projects, which could include writing a new book.