I find reviewing poetry difficult. It is such a subjective medium. A book will connect with some people and not others. A book will connect with a person on some days but not others. Some poems in a collection will speak straight to your psyche and others will leave you unmoved.

This collection by Chris Emery definitely moved me. There is some gorgeous work in this small volume.

"Arctic birds: your first your last.
A screaming match you run right past. A black shale beach and
black tide sifting, a lime green hill with deep fog drifting."

That paints such a vivid picture in the mind.

Then "Bagging Up" brings tears to the eyes with simple, true language.

Then in "Brogues"-

"Perhaps you kept them hoping
I should wear them later. They are too small for me to walk in. The
treasures of your death have so far proved unsuitable."

Wow, that is such an unexpected word and yet this is an emotion captured.

There is playfulness here too. In “Minor”-

"And I want better rhymes than these,
or no rhymes at all, for academics in long essays to ecstatically
tease

hot meanings into rapture. And, I want, with all our golden
multitudes, to please."


There is a lot going on in this collection and I will revisit it.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley. And I would note that some of the formatting of the poetry will not have come across properly in this review.

In "Wonder", Chris Emery explores awe, beauty, history, and the marvels of everyday life.

He leans heavily into vivid imagery, obscure word choices, and surprising juxtapositions, aiming to offer fresh perspectives. While I appreciated the intent, the execution didn’t quite land for me. Much of the "wonder" I experienced was me wondering if I was missing something, or if the meaning just wasn’t there.

I kept waiting for a poem to truly stick with me, but instead of awe, I mostly felt mild puzzlement or indifference.

Though some pieces felt playful, Emery largely avoids rhyme, rhythm, or sound play like alliteration. Several free verse poems didn’t feel especially poetic, and the meter was sometimes clunky enough to trip over.

That said, I respect the effort to capture fleeting, intimate moments and to move between the mundane and fantastical. The collection has a distinct aesthetic, but it didn’t leave much of an impression on me. If you enjoy experimental imagery and don’t mind a lack of lyrical flow or emotional weight, this may work better for you. For me, it was an uneven read that never quite found its footing.

2.5/5 Rounded up.

Wonder by Chris Emery is a captivating and carefully composed collection that reveals a deep sensitivity to language, nature, and the nuances of human emotion. From the very first poem, I was hooked.by the first piece, called 'wonder' stood out immediately with its striking imagery and subtle emotional pull. Emery has a gift for evoking mood and meaning in just a few lines, and there's a quiet confidence in his voice that carries through the whole book. While a few poems felt more abstract and harder to connect with, the majority offered moments of real insight and beauty. A strong and memorable collection that invites multiple readings.

This poetry collection reminded of really sturdy writing we'd read as examples in my college poetry class. This is a collection of good work with the occasional profound line that I really strive to find in poetry.

Thanks for the ARC

Emery is clearly an accomplished poet and Wonder is an enjoyable collection to read. I definitely preferred the more personal pieces like 'Bagging Up' and 'Identity', and I definitely felt these were more memorable than perhaps the majority of the collection. But good, enjoyable poetry nonetheless.

Unfortunately this is another poetry book that just really seems to miss the mark. This book just felt like every other poetry collection out there.

Emotional and sent my brain on a trip through memory lane. It really made me think about what is really going on in the world, in my world. It was lyrical and open minded but showed emotional maturity. It showed a strong point of view. I will be re reading this when i am in my feels about some choice things for sure. Fantastic poems. Well done.

Emery's writing is accessible yet deeply layered, making this collection appealing to a wide audience—from seasoned poetry enthusiasts to newcomers who are, perhaps, exploring the genre for the first time. The themes of discovery and contemplation are universal, yet Emery's unique voice ensures each poem feels fresh and deeply personal.

He also provides a wonderful sense of place through his writing. There are times when reading, particularly with ‘The Statue’, ‘Home Song’, and 'A Single Ticket to the Imagined City', I could see the locations in my mind; the places seemed so familiar that I felt I might have been there myself. And with the sense of place comes a sense of nostalgia, too. There's something I can't quite pinpoint that whisks me back thirty or forty years.

One of the book’s standout features is its rhythmic and lyrical quality, which enhances the overall reading experience and makes it even more captivating when read aloud. Emery's masterful use of language evokes strong sensory responses, drawing you into an immersive experience. It's a bit like magic.

The collection's overall strength lies in Emery's ability to weave together vivid imagery with profound reflections, creating a tapestry of emotions and intellectual engagement. Each passage acts as a mini meditation, prompting us to pause and consider our perceptions and assumptions about the world and life around us.

Wonder is ultimately a celebration of life's limitless possibilities and the ongoing pursuit of understanding. Emery invites us into a shared journey filled with moments of quiet revelation and profound appreciation for the everyday miracles that often go unnoticed.

Final Thoughts
Overall, this book is a beautifully composed collection that will enrich and inspire—reminding us of the magic found within reflective contemplation and genuine curiosity. It's an essential read for anyone seeking deeper connection and meaning in their literary explorations.

This collection was missing something. As I was reading, I kept thinking, "this has all the elements of good poetry, without being great." I had little to no connection to any individual piece or the collection as a whole. The more I meditate on my feelings regarding "Wonder," I settle on the opinion that this book may be good for some people, but it was simply not for me. I had hoped that this would be a collection I could pull from for my classroom, but after reading don't see anything that would connect with my students either. I guess I can sum it up to this; the collection showed intentionality and thoughtfulness, but lacked the relatability and connection I was hoping for.