Home Body by Rupi Kaur: book review

Home Body (2020) is a collection of poetry – and illustrations – that are personal, yet universal.

Rupi Kaur structures the dense, intimate, and comprehensive collection into four sections: 1) mind, 2) heart, 3) rest, and 4) awake.

The poems are reflective and poignant, dark and happy, angry and defiant, strong and mindful, soft and sweet, honest and raw. Each poem will resonate with someone somewhere. This is why the collection is incredibly popular. Each is more like a conversation with self: encouragements to keep going in adversity or gratitude for achievements, or reminders that life goes on.

The growth of the person, any person, but written in the first person, is one of hurt to one of strength, from past events to a hopeful and positive future.

The illustrations are simple, direct, effective, and fabulous.

MARTINA NICOLLS

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MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of: The Paris Residences of James Joyce (2020), Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).

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