If you only read one book on creativity, then this one will seem groundbreaking.

Gilbert's best moments are when she's giving personal anecdotes from her creative life. The metaphor of ideas having a life of their own isn't novel, but I liked her story about how her idea for a book in the Amazon left her and entered her friend through a kiss. There are moments where it's obvious she's story-fying experiences, and it comes across as disingenuous. Her worst ones are when she's "encouraging" her fragile reader -- comes across as condescending.

A better book about the creative process minus the angst and pandering is "Creative Quest"
by Ahmir Questlove Thompson. Same ideas, more of them, and less mysticism.