Tue Aug 26 13:10:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a news article rewrite:

**Summary:**

This is an excerpt from Elizabeth Gilbert’s upcoming memoir, “All the Way to the River,” detailing her intense and turbulent relationship with her best friend and lover, Rayya Elias, after Rayya receives a terminal cancer diagnosis. Gilbert, who had long harbored secret romantic feelings for Rayya, finally reveals her love. They embark on a passionate, accelerated romance marked by a desire to live life to the fullest, indulging in art, travel, and extravagant experiences. However, their hedonistic lifestyle spirals into drug use and codependency as Rayya’s health deteriorates and she struggles with pain management. Gilbert eventually reaches a breaking point, realizing she needs to prioritize her own well-being and sets boundaries with Rayya, uncertain if they will reconcile before Rayya’s death.

**News Article:**

**Elizabeth Gilbert’s Memoir Reveals Tumultuous Love Story Amidst Terminal Illness**

**NEW YORK (September 1, 2025)** – Author Elizabeth Gilbert (“Eat, Pray, Love”) is set to release her new memoir, “All the Way to the River,” on September 9th, promising a raw and intimate look at her unconventional relationship with Rayya Elias, her best friend and eventual lover. Excerpts released ahead of publication paint a vivid picture of passion, addiction, and difficult choices.

The memoir details how Gilbert, after years of secretly loving Elias, confessed her feelings when Elias received a devastating diagnosis of terminal cancer. The pair embraced a whirlwind romance, determined to live life to the fullest despite the looming shadow of death. This involved artistic endeavors, extravagant spending, and a commitment to experiencing everything life had to offer.

However, the excerpt reveals a darker side to their accelerated existence. As Elias’s health declined, they both descended into a cycle of drug use and codependency. Elias struggled with pain management, and Gilbert found herself increasingly enmeshed in Elias’s addiction.

The released excerpt culminates in Gilbert making the agonizing decision to prioritize her own well-being, acknowledging the unhealthy dynamic and setting boundaries with Elias. The article leaves the reader uncertain about whether the two women reconcile before Elias’s death, leaving the rest of the story to the new book. “All the Way to the River” promises to be a deeply personal and unflinchingly honest exploration of love, loss, and the complexities of human relationships in the face of mortality.

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