Calling a Wolf a Wolf

Calling a Wolf a Wolf is a poetry collection by Iranian-American poet Kaveh Akbar that chronicles his personal journey through addiction and recovery. The book was published by Alice James Books in 2017 and received the Ploughshares John C. Zacharis First Book Award. The collection presents raw, visceral poems that capture the physical and psychological experiences of addiction. The verses track the narrator's transformation through phases of substance abuse, isolation, and the path toward sobriety. The work draws from both Western and Persian literary traditions, incorporating elements of confession, prayer, and meditation. Within the poems, everyday objects and encounters take on heightened significance as the speaker navigates between states of intoxication and clarity. The collection speaks to universal themes of transformation, self-discovery, and the tension between destruction and renewal. Through its exploration of addiction, the work examines broader questions about identity, belonging, and the nature of truth-telling.

Readers emphasize the raw honesty and intensity of Akbar's poetry about addiction and recovery. The collection resonates with many who have experienced substance abuse or know others who have. Readers appreciate: - Vivid imagery and metaphors - Direct confrontation of difficult topics - Balance of darkness and hope - Accessible language despite complex themes - Fresh perspective on recovery narratives Common criticisms: - Some poems feel disconnected or fragmented - Metaphors occasionally become repetitive - A few readers found the style too abstract Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (150+ ratings) Sample reader comments: "His words punch you in the gut while making you fall in love with language" - Goodreads reviewer "Sometimes beautiful, sometimes opaque to the point of frustration" - Amazon reviewer "The rawness and vulnerability make this collection unforgettable" - LibraryThing reviewer

Night Sky with Exit Wounds by Ocean Vuong The collection explores themes of identity, trauma, and belonging through a Vietnamese-American lens, with similar raw confessional style and cultural duality.

Crush by Richard Siken The poems chronicle desire, obsession, and self-destruction with intense imagery that mirrors Akbar's unflinching examination of addiction.

Don't Call Us Dead by Danez Smith This collection confronts personal and societal pain through transformative narratives that echo Akbar's journey from darkness to revelation.

The Carrying by Ada Limón The poems navigate physical and emotional healing with attention to bodily experience that parallels Akbar's exploration of sobriety.

Feed by Tommy Pico The work weaves personal history with cultural commentary through a contemporary voice that shares Akbar's interest in identity and transformation.

🎭 The title "Calling a Wolf a Wolf" comes from the concept of confronting difficult truths directly, rather than using euphemisms to soften their impact 📝 Kaveh Akbar wrote many of these poems during his own recovery process, starting in 2013 when he became sober at age 24 🌍 As an Iranian-American poet, Akbar weaves Persian literary traditions and Islamic references throughout the collection, creating a unique cultural dialogue ⭐ The book was selected as one of NPR's Best Books of 2017 and won the Levis Reading Prize from Virginia Commonwealth University 🎓 Akbar founded Divedapper, a website featuring interviews with major contemporary poets, and serves as Poetry Editor for The Nation magazine