milk and honey rupi kaur
Do you want to read something interesting and relatable? Milk and Honey take readers on an unforgettable ride. Anyone seeking a real and unvarnished examination of love, loss, and recovery must read this potent collection of poetry and prose.
Kaur takes readers through a journey that will be remembered. This is more than a book that takes you through a journey of the most bitter and sweet moments in life, it’s poetry and prose about survival and overcoming.
Her writing has an informal tone and direct address that makes it seem like a conversation with a friend. The writing is lively and simple to read because of the short sentences and active voice-no wonder it sold a million copies.
Additionally, the use of descriptive language immerses you in the author’s world by evoking a sense of atmosphere and setting. After reading, you will love this book!
This review is going to take you on a detailed journey through its pages, highlighting the emotionally evocative writing and the deliberate pacing that makes this book a true masterpiece. Trust me, it’s worth reading.
Table of Contents
Milk and Honey-Rupi Kaur (Paperback)
Milk and Honey Rupi’s self-produced bestselling collection of poetry and artwork. Is written in a straightforward and informal style. The author explores the themes of love, loss, trauma, femininity, abuse, trauma, oppression: and healing.
Each chapter takes the reader on a journey through a different stage of life while using straightforward but evocative language and dialogue to immerse them in the narrative. Throughout the entire book, the author addresses the reader and uses an active voice to convey a sense of urgency and pace.
This book is divided into four chapters, each addressing a different facet of the human experience. It is a moving read because the illustrations enhance the atmosphere and emotional connection. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this book to anyone.
About Rupi Kaur
A contemporary poet, author, and illustrator Rupi Kaur has captured the attention of readers because her work is simple but powerful. This best-selling book guides readers through some of life’s most difficult experiences while also finding sweetness there. Her words speak to young women today.
Kaur’s writing is unvarnished and sincere, and it is obvious that she is at her most comfortable when producing art, especially when reading her poetry live. The book quickly became a bestseller, sold millions of copies, and was translated into several languages.
The book, which was published by Andrews McMeel Publishing, has touched a large number of readers and keeps doing so because Kaur was willing to look at sensitive themes in everyday life in an honest and open way. Her work touches on love and so much more.
Anyone looking for a strong and moving collection that demonstrates the author’s artistic talent and her capacity to transform trying experiences into works of art must read Kaur’s work.
Chapter One-The Hurting
In the first chapter “The Hurting,” we learn about the pain and trauma that many of us go through in our lives. Rupi Kaur wrote about the pain that comes from love, relationships, abuse, and loss.
The words are real and raw in Kaur’s poetry, and they make it possible for the reader to feel the pain on a deep level. The piece on page 36 touches on sexual abuse:
“our knees
pried open
by cousins
and uncles
and men
our bodies touched
by all the wrong people
that even in a bed full of safety
we are afraid”
Her use of line breaks is unorthodox but effective. The line drawings in this chapter are simple but evocative, and they make the reading experience even more relatable.
Chapter Two-The Loving
The second chapter is completely different from the first one and is referred to as “The Loving.” It’s all about the positive things, like love and connections. The poetry is simple but powerful in expressing her message.
There are short poems that are brimming with longing and hope. They’ll make you feel like you have butterflies in your stomach. On page 46, for example, Kaur wrote:
“i struggle so deeply
to understand
how someone can
pour their entire soul
blood and energy
into someone
without wanting
anything in
return
-i will have to wait till i’m a mother”
Once again, Kaur uses simple lines to express powerful images that heightened the feeling of joy and hope in each accompanying illustration.
Chapter Three-The Breaking
Chapter, “The Breaking,” explores how relationships end tragically and the harrowing feelings of betrayal and heartbreak that accompany the sad feeling after a breakup. The poems in this chapter are incredibly moving and cause strong emotional reactions because they expertly capture the unfiltered, unrestrained emotions of someone who has experienced great hurt.
The first poem in this chapter on page 81 really set the tone well the accompanying illustration is simply but powerfully expressed:
As the reader, you will feel as though they are directly experiencing the writer’s emotions due to the informal and casual language used. Because the sentences are brief, the words’ impact is more profound and direct.
The poems in this chapter are accompanied by moody, dark illustrations that perfectly capture the darker themes explored in this chapter. The illustrations enhance the chapter’s emotional impact by evoking a sense of place and atmosphere.
The reader can feel the emotional weight of the chapter because of the overall emotional, evocative, and urgent writing style.
Chapter Four-The Healing
The last chapter, “The Healing,” it’s all about the process of healing and moving on from past pain. The poems in this chapter are full of strength and resilience, and they encourage the reader to keep going even when things are tough. The poem on page 149 characterizes this chapter well:
“do not bother holding on to
that thing that does not want you
-you cannot make it stay
The mood of the illustrations in this chapter is positive and uplifting, adding to the message of the pieces.
After completing this chapter and reflecting, it would be difficult not to assume that Kaur has vision beyond her years.
Milk and Honey Themes
There is a wide range of themes in this book ranging from self-love to femininity, abuse, trauma, oppression, and love. The poems in this collection are deeply personal and emotional, drawing on the author’s own experiences to create a potent and moving narrative.
Self-Love:
The theme of self-love is one of the most prominent in the book. Kaur’s poems often focus on the importance of loving and accepting oneself, despite any perceived flaws or imperfections. For example, on page 150 Rupi wrote:
“you must enter a relationship
with yourself
before anyone else”
Strong words in support of self-love. It can be said that Kaur is the writer who continues to emphasize the importance of self-love and acceptance.
Femininity:
Kaur’s poems often explore the complexities of being a woman and the various expectations placed on women in society. In the poem on page 45, she wrote:
“when my mother was pregnant
with her second child i was four
i pointed at her swollen belly confused at how
my mother had gotten so big in such little time
my father scooped me in his tree trunk arms and
said the closest thing to god on this earth
is a woman’s body it’s where life comes from
and to have a grown man tell me something
so powerful at such a young age
changed me to see the entire universe
rested at my mother’s feet”
This poem echoes of artistry and wisdom. It says so much not only about being a woman but also about the value of a woman in society.
Abuse, Trauma, and Oppression:
Kaur’s poems also address the themes of abuse, trauma, and oppression, which often go hand in hand. Many of the poems deal with the aftermath of these experiences and the emotional toll they take on an individual.
In the poem on page 19 for example where she writes:
“Every time you
tell your daughter
you yell at her
out of love
you teach her to confuse
anger with kindness
which seems like a good idea
till she grows up to
trust men who hurt her
cause they look so much
like you.
-to fathers with daughters”
She paints a vivid picture here for fathers to see the far-reaching effects of their harsh words on their daughters.
Love:
The theme of love is also present throughout the text. Kaur’s poems explore different aspects of love, including the joys and sorrows of falling in love and the complexities of relationships.
In the poem on page 49, Rupi paints a bold picture of love using a few words which highlight the joy of falling in love:
“what am i to you he asks
i put my hands in his lap
and whisper you
are every hope
i’ve ever had
in human form”
Love’s Downside:
In contrast to the joyful aspects of love, when you read this book you will see that the poet also delves into the darker side of relationships.
Some of the poems explore the pain and heartache that can come from love and the difficulties of moving on from a relationship that has ended.
The poem on page 129, provides one such example:
“do not look for healing
at the feet of those
who broke you”
A three-line poem that says so much in such simple language we can all feel it at a deeper level.
Customer Reviews
Rupi’s work takes readers on such a journey that it has received raved reviews to prove it. Many readers praised it as their favorite poetry collection, with some even calling it a must-read.
When you read the words of Kaur you can feel its raw and honest nature, and it is clear that she feels most at home when creating art, particularly when performing her poetry onstage at Rupi Kaur live worldwide.
The collection has sold 3 million plus copies and has been translated into over 40 languages, quickly becoming a bestseller.
My Favorite Poems in the Collection
Kaur’s work will send you on a journey through some of the most bitter moments in life and still finds sweetness amidst them. Her raw and honest emotions can be seen in the work, and it is clear that she feels most at home when creating.
Her writing echoes of artistry and honesty and this makes so many of the pieces in the book so relatable. Hear Rupi Kaur read some of my favorite pieces from her book below:
My Final Take on Milk and Honey
New York Times Bestseller
In conclusion, “Milk and Honey” is a powerful and moving collection of poetry that explores a wide range of human emotions.
Rupi Kaur’s simple and relatable language, and lack of punctuation, paired with evocative illustrations, make the book accessible to a wide audience with every page read.
The themes of healing, self-care, and love are particularly powerful and important. I highly recommend “Milk and Honey” to anyone looking for a thought-provoking and powerful collection of poetry. It’s a powerful tool for self-discovery, self-love, and self-care.
