RaveThe Poetry QuestionAntrobus is able to juxtapose the most troubling moments with vignettes of wonder and wisdom ... This is, to me, his greatest strength throughout the collection. Where many poets are able to create dynamic speakers in their work, Antrobus is decidedly ahead of the curve in developing the others in his poems. They are not reduced to function, but innately connected to Antrobus’ own experiences. Fans of Ilya Kaminsky are sure to appreciate Antrobus and see parallels in their approach to celebrating life. Both authors are expert at capturing the human condition through a lens of generosity and patience. Antrobus burst onto the scene with two incredible collections this year. Do yourself a favor and get a copy ... This is a poet you’re going to want to follow.
Natalie Diaz
RaveThe Poetry Question... powerful and timely ... a fierce critique of colonization, both past and present, but it is also a tender and nuanced treatment of the human condition ... more than well-deployed extended metaphor. Diaz infuses every poem with lyricism; even the prose poems have a distinct harmony underlying the words. She asserts her mastery of language early and often. I have never encountered a writer more capable of balancing softness and strength. These poems are quiet and technical and precise, yet the speaker never feels weak or timid. Rather, there is an everpresent sense that the rage lingering just beneath the lines may bare its teeth ... Once again, Diaz reminds us why she is so often placed among the most talented writers of our generation. This is a book you won’t want to miss.
Danez Smith
RaveThe Poetry QuestionHomie does not just meet expectations. It shatters them ... Smith is at their absolute best, technically and narratively, throughout their third collection, experimenting with form and turning convention on its head ... Every page holds something worthy of celebration ... the sweetest gift.
Andrea Gibson
PositiveLambda Literary\"... arresting ... Gibson expertly walks the line between grief and hope, giving readers a deeply layered collection of poems ... With all the grace and hope that fans of Gibson’s work have come to expect, the author finds beauty even in the most painful moments of their life ... This is a collection which will undoubtedly appeal to long-time fans of Gibson’s work and newcomers to poetry alike. With its willingness to tackle all manner of trauma and social issues and still center optimism, these poems will prove most appealing and most vital to readers in need of the proverbial silver lining.\
Sam Sax
RaveLambda Literary\"Sam Sax... continues to prove that he is one of the most important voices in contemporary American poetry with his second full-length collection, bury it ... Sax shows his growth as a writer and an activist, perfectly blending several well-known poems into a manuscript that feels fresh and immediate. The result is an eloquent and cathartic conversation about some of the most pervasive social issues affecting readers today.\
