I went into this collection expecting a little more than what I got. Overall Dawson is a talent, that much is clear. There were some poems that I felt emotional about, and deep connected, but others fell flat to me. The emotion throughout this collection is clear, but perhaps it's a reader issue if I didn't connect with the entire collection. Still a talent and would recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Scribner for a copy of this ARC.

I like poetry but I thought this collection was pretty average. The writing and prose is decent but the composition is not well structured. I would recommend it to poetry lovers like myself, but unfortunately I wasn’t blown away by the material.

Late to the Search Party by Steven Espada Dawson is a poignant debut poetry collection that navigates grief, loss, and fractured family bonds. Through rhythmic, vivid imagery, Dawson stitches together memories of his dying mother, an absent father, and a brother lost to addiction.

Balancing abstract lyricism with raw honesty, these elegies explore the weight of survival and the persistence of love despite absence. There’s a tenderness woven into the sorrow, making each poem both heartbreaking and hopeful. Deeply moving and beautifully crafted, this collection lingers long after the last page—highly recommended for poetry lovers.

Late to the search party by Steven Espada Dawson is an interesting collection. It is full of sorrow and angsty but an underlying bitterness or sarcasm can be seen. I enjoyed it.

"I want so badly to write words / with a future attached." - Every Word is My Mothers

"We're under the same moon and I'm sick / with that knowing." - Elegy for the Four Chambers of My Brother's Heart

A stunning debut collection! I was in awe of every poem, marking each as a favorite to return to. It is a collection of elegies for those dead and alive, of looking for/at, of building a childhood, and of loss and love. I particularly found the elegies a stunning set of poems. The title poem-- "Late to the Search Party" is a feat!


I highly recommend this collection!

Debut??????

My man’s gifted through and through. Excellent, raw, emotional collection of poetry. Would recommend ♾️/10!!