Human Looking

by Andy Jackson

A ground-breaking insight into the experience of disability, from a distinguished poet who has lived with Marfan Syndrome, including severe spinal curvature, and whose poems give voice to those who are often treated as ‘other’ or alien.

The poems are visceral and intimate, they comfort and discomfort at the same time – empathy for the other seems to falter, only to expand and deepen.

The poems in Human Looking speak with the voices of the disabled and the disfigured, in ways which are confronting, but also illuminating and tender. They speak of surgical interventions, and of the different kinds of disability which they seek to ‘correct’. They range widely, finding figures to identify with in mythology and history, art and photography, poetry and fiction. A number of poems deal with unsettling extremes of embodiment, and with violence against disabled people. Others emerge out of everyday life, and the effects of illness, pain and prejudice. The strength of the speaking voice is remarkable, as is its capacity for empathy and love. ‘I, this wonderful catastrophe’, the poet has Mary Shelley’s monstrous figure declare. The use of unusual and disjunctive – or ‘deformed’ – poetic forms, adds to the emotional impact of the poems.

Genres: Poetry

100 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Aimee Box]

Read this in poetry section of readings with hot boy also reading poetry.

[Elie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Human Looking explores being disabled, being othered and alienated, and, at some points, not being considered human. It begins deeply personal, exploring Jackson’s own medical history and the concept of ‘opening’ and beginnings, to responses to artworks and literature and their portrayal of disabled people. This collection of poems is powerful, and refuses to re-victimise those with disabilities in the collections raw depictions of Jackson’s and other disabled people’s experiences. Human Looking asserts a humanity that has been taken through varied poetic devices which was intriguing and made me devour it in a single sitting. My favourite poetry collection so far this year.

[Michael Northen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andy Jackson is a poet who has been on my radar since the publication of his first book Among the Regulars was published over a decade ago. His work in poetry to highlight the lives of others with Marfan’s Syndrome in Music Our Bodies Can’t Hold was an important contribution to disability poetry. None of his previous work, however, quite prepared me for Human Looking. It is flat-out one of the best books of disability poetry that I have read in years.

[Natasha (jouljet) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bodies, disability, ableism, the experience of visible disability. There are fragments from medical files, moments in medical settings, going to the pool, or simply living through pain and difference.

This is a collection of poetry about the experience of a disabled body. Living, loving, being, reflecting.

Loss and love is here throughout, with particularly beautiful poems about his late mother and father.

[Nalini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much of what this collection does is queer the poetics of the body by reversing canonical imaginations of the monstrous. There’s a particular intimacy between the speakers and the subject matter that I respect. It’s a tender and humble rendering of what it means to exist in an unpredictable body… one that was of comfort during my own difficult time. I particularly liked “Borne away by distance.”

[Luka · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a profoundly thoughtful text, and incredibly moving. pierces straight to the heart. jackson holds pain in a way that is so unflinching yet warm and utterly without arrogance. imaginative, clever, heartbreaking, funny, thoughtful, many other great adjectives. i want everyone to read this

[Amy Cuneo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 this collection is a gift. A painful, insightful beautiful gift. I so appreciate the way it took me inside his body and experience.

[Abbie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easily one of the best books I have ever read. Jackson’s Novel and Emotional poetry urged me to think deeper about humanity and ability and I will forever be recommending this to anyone I meet!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Confronting and clever.