What’s the craze about “Milk and Honey?”

, Livhanson95
July 11, 2017

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur is a book of poetry that has graced the eyes of millions, earning itself a spot on the New York Times Best Seller’s list. But what it is about the book that is so captivating? It’s not often we see poetry books getting much attention, but this book has seemed to resonate in the hearts of millions worldwide.

Rupi Kaur takes readers on a powerful journey through her book while sharing the experience of love, loss, femininity, abuse and violence. The book has four chapters titled “the hurting,” “the loving,” “the breaking,” and “the healing,” with descriptive illustrations matching the poem on the page throughout. Kaur takes readers to the most vulnerable points in her life and then ends the book with healing.

Through sharing her struggles, Kaur was able to connect with many who may have shared similar or near similar experiences.

“To me, it was like reading things I’ve always felt but didn’t know how to say. I think every girl at some point should read it,” said Aleenah Marcucci, sophomore in psychology.

But it’s not just women that can relate to it, many guys have taken an interest in it too. Although it was written from a woman’s perspective, males can take a lot from it also. From break ups, relationships, to sex, to understanding emotions, to learning to heal, many males have found solace in the book as well.

“It’s very good. It makes you feel good about yourself. I believe it’s great for anyone who needs something to make their day a little better. Just reading a few pages can really make a difference.” said Mitchell Knoth, sophomore in software engineering.

The book isn’t just a favorite at Iowa State. Mady Alsott, elementary education senior at Beuna Vista University, said she also related to the book.

“The book made me feel like the way that I was feeling was normal and that I fit in and the way I felt, other girls felt that way too,” Alsott said. “From what I got from the book was that a girl was in a toxic relationship and getting out of that situation opened a whole new world for her. Even now after reading the book a few months ago I can relate to it and I thank god every day for the decision that I’ve made.

“Getting out of a toxic relationship gave me the opportunity to study abroad, travel Europe, and see the world. What I took out of the book is that you deserve to be happy and be in a healthy relationship. I remind myself of this every day, and with that I will not settle anymore. I would 10 out 0f 10 recommend this book to a friend, someone struggling in a relationship, or even a random person on the street. In fact, I had both of my sisters and my grandma read this book because I thought it was that empowering,” Alsott said.

Kaur, of Toronto, Canada, began her artist career at the age of five when she began drawing and painting. Kaur, who was an immigrant, who began writing as soon as she learned the language. Her serious writing career began in seventh grade, when she won a writing competition for the essay that she’d entered. But she mostly drew up until the age of 17, when her passion for writing and performing started to really bloom. By 2009 she was writing poetry with no end in sight and performing her poetry all across Canada up until 2014, when she first published “Milk and Honey.”

A post shared by rupi kaur (@rupikaur_) on Dec 22, 2016 at 4:43pm PST

Now Kaur is performing spoken poetry and conducting workshops worldwide. All of her work is a collection of personal experiences, as well as the experiences she has while traveling and in life. From drawing, to poetry, to videography, and even creative direction, Kaur is able to use all types of mediums to express herself through art. It is this passion that has fueled her to have the career she has today.

As posted on her website, Kaur just recently announced that she has a new, highly-anticipated book coming out October 3, 2017, called, “The Sun and Her Flowers.”