Author Elizabeth Gilbert, best known for her bestselling debut novel “Eat, Pray, Love,” said Monday her upcoming book won’t be released as scheduled after a backlash from Ukrainians over the tome’s Russian setting.
The new novel, titled “The Snow Forest” and set in the middle of Siberia in the 1900s, was supposed to be released in February 2024, coincidentally around the two-year anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
However, Gilbert announced she was pausing the project due to a “massive outpouring of reactions” from Ukrainian readers who worried the book would romanticize Russia at a time when the country is accused of committing war crimes.
Over the weekend, more than 500 people dished out one-star reviews on the Goodreads platform, while others reacted with frustration to the initial book announcement on Twitter.
“I read these messages and I respect them and as a result I am removing the book from its publication,” Gilbert said in her last video.
She then explained she will focus on other projects for now and anyone charged for pre-ordering the book will be refunded.