• Elizabeth Gilbert was criticised on Instagram for publishing The Snow Forest, set in Russia, on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
• After the response, Gilbert declared a pause and “course correction,” saying the book should not be published now.
• The author ignored Ukrainian readers’ outrage and wrote new books.

Elizabeth Gilbert’s announcement of The Snow Forest was criticized as “tone deaf” by some of her one million Instagram followers, while others pointed out that the book’s release in February 2024 would coincide with the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The author of the best-selling novel Eats, Pray, Love has announced she will delay the publication of her newest book. Which is set in Russia and has received criticism from Ukrainian readers.

The Snow Forest, based on the 1978 discovery of a family living in complete isolation in the Siberian wilderness, will be published in February 2024, as announced by Elizabeth Gilbert in early June.

Some of her one million Instagram followers criticized the decision as “tone deaf.” While others pointed out that the release date would coincide with the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Gilbert has announced a “course correction” after receiving “an enormous” response from Ukrainian readers. Stating that now is “not the time” to publish the story.

In a video statement shared on social media, the American author 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 over the fact that I would choose to release a book that is set in Russia at this time – any book, regardless of its subject matter.”

Gilbert informed her followers that she values every message sent to her.

“As a result, I am making a course correction and removing the book from its publication schedule,” she explained.

“I don’t want to contribute to people’s suffering by publishing this book now. That has already endured and continues to endure grave and extreme suffering.”

The author of Eat, Pray, Love, which Julia Roberts starred in, is writing new books.

She did not indicate whether or when she might publish The Snow Forest in the future.