My review of ‘Woman: Splendor and Sorrow’ by Gabriela Marie Milton

I have just finished reading Woman: Splendor and Sorrow, the second poetry and short prose collection from the exceptionally talented Gabriela Marie Milton. It is no word of a lie to say that the book transported me, to a world, not only of the senses, but to the association of those senses with all that is true and beautiful in life. This collection flames with the passion and intensity of the true Artist.

About the book

Woman: Splendor and Sorrow is divided into two sections, the first comprising love poems, and the second poetic short prose. Turning first to the love poems, it is hard to pick a favourite, so I won’t attempt to do this. I will only say I am haunted by the ideas in poems such as ‘You in Another Life,’ which includes the following lines:

I told you. He who knows me knows the darkness.
I am the ambivalence of form located above and below.
I am you in another life. 

These lines inspired my own poem, ‘Event Horizon,’ which will appear in my forthcoming collection of love poetry. The same sentiment is echoed in the poem ‘Reflection,’ which I will not quote here, as I would not want to give away too much. Suffice to say, it describes the way that love illumines something within us to which we would otherwise be blind.

Of course, I was enchanted to read of ‘Love in Costa del Sol,’ having lived there myself. The poem begins:

this unbraided love of mine
its hair floats in the direction of a wavy afternoon
its body scatters over our summers spent in Costa del Sol…

These are just a few of the highlights of the opening section of the book.

Poetic prose

The writings in this section cover a broad range of fascinating subjects, from identity through feminism and female sexuality to gnosticism. The ideas expressed within these writings boldly challenge conventions relating to women’s role in literature and art, and the nature of artistic creation itself. In ‘Neurosis,’ Gabriela observes something which I myself have believed for a long time:

Love is a mathematical singularity.

I was delighted to read this line, as this idea figures heavily in the novel I am working on. And how I love the power in the final assertion of ‘On Women’s Writings:’

I am a woman.
I am not made in your image.
You are made in mine.

I could go on and on in praise of the book, but I urge you instead to buy it and discover its treasures for yourself! It is available from Amazon, as is Gabriela’s debut poetry collection Passions: Love Poems and Other Writings, which I also highly recommend.

Looking for something to read? Visit my Book Reviews section for more recommendations!

26 thoughts on “My review of ‘Woman: Splendor and Sorrow’ by Gabriela Marie Milton

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  1. What a wonderful review of Gabriella’s book Ingrid. The cover alone captures the essence of her book with such a rich tapestry of her beautiful lyrics and wonderful poetry and prose I feel so captivating. I have read it and like Joni says first you will read it fast and then you go back and savor each page. So excited for your novel!💖💖

    1. Thanks Cindy! I agree: it is a book to savour ❤️ the novel still needs work: it has good bits and ‘not-so-good’ bits 😬😅

  2. Ingrid, your reviews are very engaging. I appreciate how you weave text with your own experience and insights. Wonderful. Gabriela’s book is on my list. Thank you.

  3. Ingrid, thank you from the bottom of my heart for such a beautiful review. I am really moved. You words humbled me beyond. Your quotes are one the most dear to me. Your review took my breath away.

    A forthcoming poetry collection! I can’t wait. When do you plan to publish it?
    xoxo

    1. It was my absolute pleasure to write this review Gabriela! ❤️

      I will publish a short collection on my 40th birthday (February) and I also have two other collections I am working on, which I will try to get published by a small press!

      1. Thank you Gabriela ❤️ I’ve just been working on one of the manuscripts 🥰 the novel will not be ready by the end of the year, but I am hoping (eventually) to go down the traditional publishing route with that 😅

      2. My pleasure. It makes sense. You can take your time with the novel and find a publisher. This is what I am thinking to do assuming that I can finish. Looking forward to February 1 ! ❤️

      3. Oh all the best with it: I can’t wait to read yours too. But novels are a lot of work, as I am finding out! ❤️

  4. What a beautiful review of your magnificent book, Gabriela….Ingrid has written an amazing review…many congratulations ✨❤️💫

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