Look

LOOK is a poetry collection that incorporates language from the U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. The poems examine acts of surveillance, violence, and loss through both personal and political lenses. Iranian-American poet Solmaz Sharif constructs verses that move between intimate family narratives and broader themes of war, using military terminology alongside everyday language. The collection includes longer sequences as well as shorter pieces that challenge readers' understanding of familiar words and phrases. Through the intersection of military jargon and personal experience, LOOK explores the impact of conflict on language, identity, and human connection. The work confronts how violence shapes perception and memory while questioning the frameworks used to discuss war and its casualties.

Readers emphasize the book's innovative use of military terminology and its exploration of war's impact on language and daily life. Many note how Sharif transforms Department of Defense vocabulary into personal poetry about family, loss, and identity. Readers liked: - The creative intersection of military and intimate language - The political commentary woven through personal narratives - The precision and intentionality of word choices - The emotional impact of the long poem "Personal Effects" Common criticisms: - Some poems feel inaccessible without military dictionary context - A few readers found the format experimental to the point of confusion - Several mentioned difficulty connecting with certain sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.24/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (90+ ratings) Notable reader comment: "Each poem demands multiple readings - first for the surface meaning, then with the [military] definitions in mind. The layers build until you see how violence permeates everything." -Goodreads reviewer

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🔖 "Look" was nominated for the 2016 National Book Award in Poetry and was selected as a finalist for the PEN Open Book Award 📚 Solmaz Sharif composed much of the book using language from the U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, transforming military jargon into deeply personal poetry 🏫 The author was born in Istanbul to Iranian parents and currently teaches at Arizona State University as an assistant professor in Creative Writing 📖 The book explores how warfare and military language have seeped into everyday civilian life, examining the intersection between personal experience and political violence 🎭 The title "Look" itself comes from a military term meaning "a period during which a mine circuit is receptive of an influence," which Sharif repurposes to discuss human connection and observation