Q: What kind of poems are in this collection?

A: The collection features deeply personal, confessional poems focused on addiction and recovery.

Q: Is this Kaveh Akbar's first book?

A: Yes, this is Akbar's debut full-length collection.

Q: What themes are explored in the poetry?

A: Key themes include addiction, recovery, identity, faith, and the power of language.

Q: How is the language used in the poems?

A: Akbar uses rich imagery and unique syntax, creating a musical flow in his writing.

Q: What audience would enjoy this book?

A: Readers interested in poetry that explores personal struggles and deep emotional truths will appreciate it.

Summary of 'Calling a Wolf a Wolf' by Kaveh Akbar: A Detailed Synopsis

Introduction

What is Calling a Wolf a Wolf about? This powerful poetry collection explores addiction, recovery, and the complexities of identity. Kaveh Akbar’s work reflects on his struggles with alcoholism and moments of profound beauty and vulnerability. Each poem invites readers into his tumultuous journey towards self-discovery and grace.

Book Details

Title: Calling a Wolf a Wolf
Author: Kaveh Akbar
Publication Date: September 12, 2017
Pages: 100
Ratings: 4.3/5 (from 4,509 ratings)
Genres: Poetry, LGBT, Mental Health, Contemporary
Read it on: Kindle for $12.99

Synopsis of Calling a Wolf a Wolf

Overview of Calling a Wolf a Wolf

Kaveh Akbar’s debut poetry collection, *Calling a Wolf a Wolf*, offers a profound confrontation with addiction. It intricately captures the struggles of late youth intertwined with themes of love and searching for God. Readers will find themselves immersed in Akbar’s harrowing journey towards recovery. Each poem serves as a pulsating pulse of craving, spirituality, and stark self-questioning. The collection encompasses the torment of alcoholism and the fight for sobriety with raw honesty.

Thematic Depth

In this collection, Akbar presents a candid exploration of addiction and its ramifications. He deploys powerful imagery that resonates deeply with anyone grappling with similar demons. The titular metaphor of the wolf symbolizes alcohol: both alluring and destructive. Poems like “Portrait of the Alcoholic” depict the struggle to confront one’s own demons without flinching. Akbar’s composition reflects the turmoil of craving and the complexities surrounding recovery. Moreover, Akbar’s relationship with spirituality emerges as another vital pulse throughout the collection. His poetry lays bare a deep yearning for connection and faith. This theme is prevalent in lines where he references God through a lens of loss. For instance, he acknowledges his struggle to communicate with God while wrestling with addiction.

Language and Imagery

Akbar’s language is a blend of tenderness and stark reality. He juxtaposes beauty with despair masterfully, ensuring each poem is an evocative experience. An example is found in the lines, “the body is a mosque borrowed from Heaven,” intertwining sacredness with vulnerability. His syntax embraces fluctuating emotions, juxtaposing grace with overwhelming anxiety. Each poem teems with imagery that reveals a raw, visceral quality. One of the standout features is how Akbar writes about language itself. He reflects on his immigrant experience and the challenges of linguistic disconnection, encapsulating it in striking phrases. His works often project confusion and a search for identity within dislocation, as seen in the poem “Do You Speak Persian?” Here he questions his relationship with his mother tongue and what it means to belong.

Emotional Resonance

Many readers express that *Calling a Wolf a Wolf* delivers a gut-wrenching experience. Akbar’s poems resonate with weight and sensitivity, provoking feelings of sorrow, yearning, and, at times, hope. The raw emotional honesty pervading each page grips audiences and urges reflection. Lines like, “I remain a hungry child / and the idea of a land flowing with milk / and honey makes me excited,” convey a sense of hope wrapped in a persistent craving for more. Through his rich imagery and complex themes, readers often identify with Akbar’s struggles. He masterfully balances the agony of addiction with a yearning for redemption and beauty. It’s a reminder of the fragile human experience, where every struggle can lead to moments of profound beauty.

Critics and Key Takeaways

Critics have embarked on diverse responses to Akbar’s debut. Some praise the collection as among the best in contemporary poetry. Its exploration of addiction, identity, and spirituality captivates many readers deeply. Others find that certain stylistic choices create challenges in connecting with the poems. Nonetheless, the overall consensus appreciates Akbar’s eloquence and fearlessness in confronting painful subjects. *Calling a Wolf a Wolf* stands as a powerful collection that opens the door to dialogues about addiction, faith, and the search for personal meaning. Akbar’s willingness to speak his truth creates a space for readers to examine their own struggles. This multifaceted collection beckons both poetry lovers and newcomers alike to engage with its profound themes, rich language, and emotional depth. The poetry not only demands attention but invites readers to grapple with the multifaceted nature of life, love, and recovery.

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Quotes

“I am not a slow learnerI am a quick forgettersuch erasing makes one voraciousif you teach me something beautifulI will name it quickly before it floats away”―Kaveh Akbar,Calling a Wolf a Wolf
“I’m becoming more a vessel of memories than a person it’s a myth /that love lives in the heart it lives in the throat we push it out /when we speak when we gasp we take a little for ourselves /in books love can be war-ending a soldier drops his sword /to lie forking oysters into his enemy’s mouth in life we hold love up to the light /to marvel at its impotence”―Kaveh Akbar,Calling a Wolf a Wolf
“I lack nothing I need unless you count everything I want”―Kaveh Akbar,Calling a Wolf a Wolf

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Key Themes

Addiction: The poems explore the depths of addiction, revealing personal battles.
Recovery: Akbar reflects on his path to sobriety and the struggles along the way.
Identity: The poet grapples with cultural dislocation and the impact of migration.
Faith and Doubt: A continuous questioning of belief and the presence of God.
Language: The challenges of expressing complex emotions through words often permeate the poems.

Highlights

Pain and Beauty: Poems juxtapose sorrow and tranquility, creating a powerful emotional effect.
Imagery: Akbar’s striking visuals captivate readers and invite deeper connections.
Flow of Thought: The poem’s structure allows readers to experience an intimate journey.
Vulnerability: The honest exploration of self and struggles resonates deeply.
Language Play: The poet’s unique syntax creates musicality in the text.

Spoilers

Spoiler Alert! If you want to read the book, don’t click “Show more” and spoil your experience. Here is a link for you to get the book.

Portrayal of Addiction: Akbar vividly describes his battles with alcoholism, portraying it as a wolf.
Self-Reflection: Many poems reflect on Akbar’s relationship with his family and cultural roots.
Sobriety Journey: The collection chronicles moments of clarity amid chaos and craving.
Cultural Displacement: Akbar explores feeling foreign in both Iran and America.
God’s Absence: The poet expresses a desire for God, but often feels abandoned.

Let us know what you think about this book and the summary in the comment section at the end of the page.

FAQs about Calling a Wolf a Wolf

Q: What kind of poems are in this collection?
A: The collection features deeply personal, confessional poems focused on addiction and recovery.
Q: Is this Kaveh Akbar’s first book?
A: Yes, this is Akbar’s debut full-length collection.
Q: What themes are explored in the poetry?
A: Key themes include addiction, recovery, identity, faith, and the power of language.
Q: How is the language used in the poems?
A: Akbar uses rich imagery and unique syntax, creating a musical flow in his writing.
Q: What audience would enjoy this book?
A: Readers interested in poetry that explores personal struggles and deep emotional truths will appreciate it.

Reviews

For a deeper exploration of Calling a Wolf a Wolf and to see varied perspectives, visit our full review.

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About the Author

Kaveh Akbar is an Iranian-American poet and the founder of Divedapper. His work has appeared in various prestigious publications. He received the Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Fellowship in 2016.

Conclusion

We hope you found this synopsis of Calling a Wolf a Wolf engaging. This collection offers not just poetry but a journey through struggles and resilience. If you liked this summary, dive into the full book for a richer experience. Here’s a link to buy Calling a Wolf a Wolf.

DISCLAIMER: This book summary is meant as a summary and an analysis and not a replacement for the original work. If you are the original author of any book on our website and want us to remove it, please contact us.