Solmaz Sharif

Solmaz Sharif is an Iranian-American poet and academic known for her critically acclaimed works that explore themes of war, language, and cultural identity. Born in Istanbul in 1983 to Iranian parents emigrating to the United States, she has established herself as a significant voice in contemporary American poetry. Her debut collection "Look" (2016) was a finalist for the National Book Award and garnered widespread recognition for its examination of military terminology and the impact of war on civilian life. The collection draws from the Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms to craft poems that interrogate the relationship between language and violence. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor of English at UC Berkeley, Sharif's work has appeared in notable publications and has earned her multiple honors in the literary community. Her poetry often addresses themes of displacement, surveillance, and the Iranian-American experience. Having grown up in Texas, Alabama, and later Los Angeles, Sharif's personal experience of cultural dislocation and identity formation in America's Iranian diaspora significantly influences her literary work. Her background in both academic and creative writing informs her unique approach to poetry that combines scholarly precision with emotional resonance.

Readers connect strongly with Sharif's examination of military language and its human impact. Many note how "Look" transforms technical terminology into intimate poetry about loss and identity. What readers liked: - Precise use of language that reveals hidden meanings - Personal perspectives on war's effects on families - Integration of military terms with everyday experiences - Fresh approach to political poetry without being didactic What readers disliked: - Some found the military dictionary references difficult to follow - Several mentioned struggling with the experimental format - A few felt certain poems required too much context to understand Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.3/5 from 3,800+ ratings "Look" on Amazon: 4.6/5 from 80+ reviews One reader noted: "She makes you pause and consider each word's weight." Another wrote: "The DOD dictionary entries create a haunting framework for exploring violence in language." Common criticism focused on accessibility: "Beautiful but sometimes impenetrable without extensive knowledge of military terms."

Look (2016) A poetry collection examining military language and warfare's impact on civilian life, incorporating terms from the Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.

Customs (2022) A collection of poems exploring themes of borders, cultural identity, and the experience of being searched—both literally at customs and metaphorically as a person of Iranian descent in America.

Carolyn Forché combines documentary poetics with personal narrative to explore political violence and human rights, particularly in her work "The Country Between Us" and "In the Lateness of the World". Her poetry confronts state violence and wartime experiences through both witness and archival investigation.

Etel Adnan writes about war, exile, and cultural identity from her perspective as a Lebanese-American poet and artist. Her work "The Arab Apocalypse" uses experimental forms and multilingual elements to document conflict and displacement.

Don Mee Choi translates Korean poetry and creates work examining militarism, imperialism, and translation as a political act. Her collections like "DMZ Colony" use hybrid forms combining poetry, prose, and visual elements to explore war's impact across generations.

Claudia Rankine investigates racism and citizenship through innovative combinations of poetry, essay, and image. Her books "Citizen" and "Don't Let Me Be Lonely" use documentary materials and personal experience to examine state power and social violence.

Layli Long Soldier writes about Native American experience and confronts official government language and documents in her work. Her collection "WHEREAS" responds to Congressional treaties and apologies through poems that deconstruct legal and historical texts.