NONFICTION

Look

by Solmaz Sharif
Graywolf. Jul. 2016. 96p. ISBN 9781555977443. pap. $16; ebk. ISBN 9781555979409. POETRY
COPY ISBN
OrangeReviewStarDestruction radius. Collateral. Distressed person. Language can be so drained of emotional content that we're safely distanced from the reality behind it. But in these raw, unsparing poems, Rona Jaffe Award winner Sharif closes the gap, making language itself the issue as she investigates the consequences—particularly for herself and her family—of America's invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq ("My life in the American/ Dream is a DOWNGRADE"). Chillingly, Sharif often splices in phrases taken from the U.S. Department of Defense's Dictionary of Military Terms ("Ladies, bring your KILL BOX, Boys, your HUNG WEAPON. You will push WARHEAD MATING to the THRESHOLD OF ACCEPTABILITY"), and we learn how thoroughly war and the refugee's flight permeated the consciousness.
VERDICT Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Barbara Hoffert , Jun 15, 2016
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

MEDIA

Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk
by Hanna, Kathleen
MEDIA

Accordion Eulogies: A Memoir of Music, Migration, and Mexico
by Álvarez, Noé
NONFICTION

Women in the Middle Ages: Illuminating the World of Peasants, Nuns, and Queens
by Hollman, Gemma
NONFICTION

Fearless Speech: Breaking Free from the First Amendment
by Franks, Mary Anne
NONFICTION

Going into Labour: Childbirth in Capitalism
by Fielder, Anna
NONFICTION

Billionaire, Nerd, Savior, King: Bill Gates and His Quest To Shape Our World
by Das, Anupreeta
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?