The collection explores the death of Holland-Batt's father following a struggle with Parkinson's disease and dementia.

[1] Sarah Holland-Batt is a professor of Creative Writing at the Queensland University of Technology and the author of two previous poetry collections — Aria (2008) and The Hazards (2015).

[12] The collection was described by the Stella Prize judges as consisting of "tender, memorable poems that capture grief and loss and love through unforgettable imagery, often blended with humour".

[2] Reviewers praised Holland-Batt's highly metaphorical use of language and her exploration of themes of death and illness.

[9][8] Writing in The Conversation, Julieanne Lamond wrote that Holland-Batt's poetry features "a combination of ruthlessness and tenderness, clear-eyed witness and imaginative flight".