Milk and Honey (first review!)
Review by Katie Lipoma
I was lucky enough to stumble upon a gently loved copy (I believe stains and rips add necessary character) of a popular yet polarizing poetry collection that was originally published in 2014. If you’re a reader—especially if you’re a poetry connoisseur—I can almost guarantee that you’ve seen this minimalist book with its contrasting black and white cover at least once, if not everywhere. It was on my reading list for ages! Rupi Kaur’s Milk and Honey was an unexpected discovery during my regular rummage through the overstuffed bins at a local bookstore, and my feelings about this collection are just about as consistent as the ones in the book (spoiler: not very consistent). Much like the book, this review is a brief journey through my thoughts as both a reader and writer.
Ironically, the words were not what first caught my attention…the artwork was. Kaur pairs each of her pieces with a diary-like doodle that complements her writing or its message in some way. I have mixed feelings about them, as some are thought-provoking, while others seem to distract from the art of her writing. However, I have respect for Kaur’s creative flair even if it’s not my cup of tea.
Milk and Honey is divided into four parts: the hurting, the loving, the breaking, and the healing. This is a unique approach to a poetry collection, and I find it interesting that the reader can have a say in their experience by choosing which order they read the book. Admittedly, I was not in the best mood when I picked this up, and so I skipped right to “the loving” part with the hope that I would feel a little better afterward with no intentions of going any farther. It was lovely. As I usually do while reading, I got carried away and finished the book.
This was my first Rupi Kaur read, and yet her concise verses felt familiar and universal. It’s clear from the start that her envisioned audience is someone like myself—a woman in her 20s still figuring life out. Her aesthetic vision is carried out in her short, memorable lines against the white space of the page. I suppose this is the genius of her collection, leaving room for the unsaid and the reflection of her readers. Although, while some poems are powerful, most feel cliché and redundant as they’re phrases I’ve previously heard or seen on Pinterest. I suppose this book would have been more original and impactful if I had read it years ago when it first came out.
Additionally, I found it interesting how the book touches on several topics (e.g. familial bonds, romantic relationships, women empowerment, etc.) opposed to a central one. These topics are surely interconnected, but made the book feel slightly unfocused. However, I really enjoyed Kaur’s inclusion of feminist themes and stories about womanhood as they strengthen the curated feeling of community. I do wonder why this collection is titled Milk and Honey, though, as her poems don’t clarify this.
As a poetry lover, Milk and Honey fell a bit short, especially since I had high expectations due to its soaring popularity. I plan to house my copy within my teetering book stack, and perhaps I’ll feel drawn to it again when the time is right.
My book reviews are off to an interesting start! Stay tuned for next week’s review, which should hopefully be more cheerful!
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