I actually loved the first half of the book. Living in the theater with the showgirls and all of the quirky characters that made the plays happen was a lovely escape from what I know. After the big scandal I appreciated how Vivian grew into herself over time and learned to love herself for who she was, but I wouldn't say that I noticed a particular 'theme' throughout the entire book. The second half seemed to distance itself from Vivian's thoughts and feelings in each situation, and I was missing her depth as the main character.
I did see a notice a lot of Elizabeth Gilbert's personality in Vivian in her strength and willingness to be an independent woman unashamed of who she was. I liked that Gilbert wrote Vivian as a woman ahead of her time.
For my first fiction book by Elizabeth Gilbert, I was pleased but not in love.