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shinyshona's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is possibly one of the most perfect non-fiction books I've read in a long time, although Kinsella discusses whether she can stand over it being fact or fiction. Milk is a phenomenal capturing of the anxiety and frustration of being a mother in the 21st century. I found the rabbit holes of worry uncannily relatable. It is of course beautifully written, juxtaposing the tenderness and violence of pregnancy and motherhood, making for an emotional read.
thehikinglawstudent's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
kristeno23's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
lesenilpferd's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Miscarriage, and Pregnancy
marthaos's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
4.5 stars. This memoir on motherhood was a wonderful immersive read. Written by poet Alice Kinsella, the language was beautiful and it was full of insight and meaning. This author was able to articulate her own experience of motherhood, the emotional upheaval of the whole journey, and draw connections with past generations of women, her own family but the greater universal family, the whole village that it takes to raise a child. Society seems to put so much on the role of mothers…superhuman, amazingly strong women, but perhaps the author argues this just puts unrealistic expectations on the mothers in society. Why should so much depend on them?
The book is written in back and forth fragments. She lets us know what stage of pregnancy or motherhood she is in by titling her pieces “-3” or +”4” etc. A young mother by today’s standards, she is the first of her friend group to have a baby, leaving behind the flats, men, alcohol and cigarettes of her recent past. While the book speaks of this author’s experience, she interweaves facts and research on the subject which was really interesting. I liked that she included both, the personal was raw and authentic but the facts gave the book an added gravitas.
As the book’s title suggests, there was a lot on the subject of breastfeeding, on the female body, on the irrefutable bond between mother and baby, on mother as nurturer… But there was also a lot on the idea of being a “good enough” mother, how mothers shouldn’t have to sacrifice all of themselves to prove their love to their child and how at a certain point, there should rightly be a letting go, of the relationship being just that…a relationship, the child their own distinct person to relate to others in their own way.
Another aspect I found really interesting is the writings by mothers on the subject of motherhood that the author sought out. “Most of the time I don’t feel real. I’ve learned to relate to people through pages. I feel closer to human when reading. Maybe that’s a sign of a good writer, letting the reader feel like they understand you….I want to read the mothers that mothers like me other. They are harder to find. I’m not looking hard enough. Like everyone I’m too busy looking at myself. Too busy not looking at myself hard enough.
She speaks of “the full feel of life which is tied so helplessly to death. I want to numb it…the impossible ache of love. Knowing that some day you’ll be separated from this person you love most. To be human, to comprehend existence is what makes us both capable of and afraid of love. It lives in me this undercurrent.” It is writing like this that makes this book so special.
The book is written in back and forth fragments. She lets us know what stage of pregnancy or motherhood she is in by titling her pieces “-3” or +”4” etc. A young mother by today’s standards, she is the first of her friend group to have a baby, leaving behind the flats, men, alcohol and cigarettes of her recent past. While the book speaks of this author’s experience, she interweaves facts and research on the subject which was really interesting. I liked that she included both, the personal was raw and authentic but the facts gave the book an added gravitas.
As the book’s title suggests, there was a lot on the subject of breastfeeding, on the female body, on the irrefutable bond between mother and baby, on mother as nurturer… But there was also a lot on the idea of being a “good enough” mother, how mothers shouldn’t have to sacrifice all of themselves to prove their love to their child and how at a certain point, there should rightly be a letting go, of the relationship being just that…a relationship, the child their own distinct person to relate to others in their own way.
Another aspect I found really interesting is the writings by mothers on the subject of motherhood that the author sought out. “Most of the time I don’t feel real. I’ve learned to relate to people through pages. I feel closer to human when reading. Maybe that’s a sign of a good writer, letting the reader feel like they understand you….I want to read the mothers that mothers like me other. They are harder to find. I’m not looking hard enough. Like everyone I’m too busy looking at myself. Too busy not looking at myself hard enough.
She speaks of “the full feel of life which is tied so helplessly to death. I want to numb it…the impossible ache of love. Knowing that some day you’ll be separated from this person you love most. To be human, to comprehend existence is what makes us both capable of and afraid of love. It lives in me this undercurrent.” It is writing like this that makes this book so special.
mattimaes's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This book is for new mothers seeking companionship, understanding and validation and it’s also for anyone and everyone else interested in books that allow you inside the authors mind, experiencing the journey from woman to Mother and learning about the cultural context of these things in Ireland, past and present. It is a pleasant blend of poetry and prose that is easy to read but thought provoking, with the odd chuckle and some Big Feelings.
Content Warnings
Minor: Medical trauma
booksbytheboats's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
I wasn’t sure how I’d find this one but it fell off the shelf when I was looking for something else and I thought I’d give it ago. It wasn’t really what I was expecting but it did really keep my interest. It’s a memoir about pregnancy, motherhood and related ‘madness’ that the author now says she wouldn’t describe as fact or fiction.
I found most of this book incredibly relatable. I have no shame in saying that I find motherhood and the associated feelings difficult and it really is the loneliest job in the world. Like the author, I am a mother to an only child, a son, and there is a pressure to ensure that he grows up to be a good man.
Some parts of this did go over my head when talking in-depth about Ireland, Irish history and cows (yes cows) but overall the relationship with herself, her son and her mother kept me engaged. The author is naturally a poet and so the book can edge towards that genre at times which I found made it very quick reading. Lots of short sections.
overall a book I would recommend to a mother.
allycat94's review against another edition
emotional
informative
5.0
The babies hair swirls like van goghs starry night loved this line 🥰 really enjoyed this book! Raw and so relatable as I have a 6 month old. I listened to the book on audiobook great listen
e11en's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Abortion, and Pregnancy