Reviews with content warning for Racism - Milk and Honey

Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

19 reviews

onemorechap's review against another edition

sad medium-paced

2.0

FIRST TIME READ
I'm so sad I didn't like this book... I think you understand this feeling, when there's so huge a hype about a book that you need to like it as much as everyone else does... But unfortunately not all the books are for everyone.

LIKES: I can't deny the fact that the background of the writer of this poetry collection is something that may appeal to people, because it contained descriptions of some intimate moments, while it also came up with the delicate issue of rape and relationship problems. I accept this. I try to be open minded, but I can't include myself in this group of people. As for the cover, I have to admit that it's classy and plain in the best way.

SO HERE IS WHAT I ACTUALLY THOUGHT OF THIS

DISLIKES: First of all, when I read something, I need it to be as classy as art has to be. For me poetry is something that should raise awe. People adore this book so much that I mistakenly thought it would be like this. But to me it was like a soft porn novel :( ... Personally, this isn't something I can accept, especially from poetry... While there were some poems that really touched me... the rest of them were closer to reading a grapic harlequin rather than to a sophisticated piece of art... All this lust was too exaggerated for my taste, and even though it may indeed be realistic, it made me feel awkward because I'd rather not have read it...

All in all, it was a read I wouldn't recommend

Rating: 2★/5★

SECOND TIME READ

I first read Milk and Honey in 2028, drawn by the immense hype surrounding it. I approached it with high expectations, but I was left disappointed and unsettled by the taste it left behind. Today, I stumbled upon the book in my bookcase and decided to give it another try. People grow, perspectives change, and perhaps this time, I thought, it would speak to me differently. Unfortunately, it didn't.

The book is divided into four parts, each dealing with a different emotional journey.

The first part, The Hurting, focuses on abuse, particularly sexual and domestic violence. I'm not sure if the author herself has experienced such trauma, but she conveys these experiences with an intense realism. The depiction of sexual assault within the domestic environment is both raw and painful, leaving a lasting ache in your stomach. While difficult to read, it's a necessary confrontation with such delicate and important issues.

The second part, The Loving, was just as disappointing to me as the first time I read it. I found the sexual content unnecessarily graphic and deliberately provocative, which, in my opinion, detracts from the poetry's artistic quality. The vivid descriptions felt excessive, lowering the impact of the work as a whole. This section remains my least favorite, and I struggled to find any appreciation for it.

The third part, The Breaking, stood out as my favorite. This section resonated with me more deeply, and I found myself underlining several passages. There’s a vulnerability here that felt genuine and impactful.

Lastly, The Healing, felt flat to me. It didn't evoke any strong feelings of like or dislike, leaving me indifferent.

Overall, reading Milk and Honey for the second time reaffirmed my initial feelings. Though Rupi Kaur tackles significant and difficult themes, the way they are presented didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped. Some parts were powerful and memorable, but others, particularly the over-graphic elements, left me feeling detached.

Content Warnings