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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.
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
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Sexual harassment
kira20's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
3.5
Less impactful rereading. Some poems do feel pithy and more like facebook status. But there are some good lines and it is full of heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
cookie_lover's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
2.0
To be fair, I’m not really a fan of romance poetry. I was going out of my comfort zone and became discomforted.
Only one of the poems in the whole book resonated with me. If it wasn’t such a quick read I would’ve dnf’ed. The kindle edition formatting is horrible, too.
Only one of the poems in the whole book resonated with me. If it wasn’t such a quick read I would’ve dnf’ed. The kindle edition formatting is horrible, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity
lucya2803's review against another edition
emotional
sad
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Rape and Sexual content
mirandyli's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
3.5
Pretty cliche and painfully cisheteronormative at times. Beautifully written though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
leechachatotheright's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
This is my second read through of this book. I would definitely recommend it to people who enjoy reading poetry. There is a rawness to the way the words are written and how the story is told between the sections of the book that I find so sad yet hopeful. It is probably also very relatable to lots of women just making their way through life. It is bittersweet.
I've also read Kaur's "the sun and her flowers" and I would say I prefer "milk and honey" if you want to read more on love, loss, heartbreak, and self acceptance. "The sun and her flowers" is a poetry collection that is so much more graphic and deals with sexual trauma, which may be a triggering. "Milk and Honey" discussed these topics as well, but it was not the main focus in my opinion nor as detailed.
The 4 was because I'd recommend the book and that .25 was how much it resonates with me, I cried the first time I read it.
Note: I haven't read "the sun and her flowers" in 5 years now so my comparison might be off. I'm just going based off what I remember from reading the two books back to back at that time.
I've also read Kaur's "the sun and her flowers" and I would say I prefer "milk and honey" if you want to read more on love, loss, heartbreak, and self acceptance. "The sun and her flowers" is a poetry collection that is so much more graphic and deals with sexual trauma, which may be a triggering. "Milk and Honey" discussed these topics as well, but it was not the main focus in my opinion nor as detailed.
The 4 was because I'd recommend the book and that .25 was how much it resonates with me, I cried the first time I read it.
Note: I haven't read "the sun and her flowers" in 5 years now so my comparison might be off. I'm just going based off what I remember from reading the two books back to back at that time.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Grief, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
The trigger warnings I put are because there are some hints to these topics in the poetry and they might trigger people even at a mild and non-descriptive mention.kayelcr's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
rainbowfairie's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
4.0
This was a reread—my best friend in college actually lent this to me back in 2017, and it was one of the first poetry books that I had read. This sparked a lifelong love and fascination with poetry and encouraged me to write for myself. It also opened my eyes to very raw and painful hurt that others experience in ways I had not, myself, at that time experienced. I love the sisterhood and the youth you find in these pages. Rereading now, some 8 years later, it is interesting to see the young Rupi mindset through my current lens. That’s a beautiful thing about literature—it evolves as we do. Our interpretation shifts and makes room for new perspectives and new connections.
Content Warnings:
Rape/Sexual Assault
Absent father
Sex, graphic imagery
Content Warnings:
Rape/Sexual Assault
Absent father
Sex, graphic imagery
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
wad3mil3sgarru2's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
karalyndawn's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
The poems really resonated with me and where I’m at in life and the things I’m experiencing. Beautifully written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship