This collection of poems marks the debut of a writer navigating the intersections of displacement, environmental concern, and the nuances of foreign landscapes. McKendrick presents a series of observations that bridge the distance between his origins in Liverpool and his experiences in Italy. The poems operate within a framework of lyrical reflection, utilizing a restrained yet precise vocabulary to examine the state of the world. The speaker acts as a witness to both the urban decay of home and the historical weight of the Mediterranean, maintaining a consistent focus on the tension between the familiar and the alien.

Readers and critics frequently note the maturity of the poet's voice, particularly given that this is a debut collection. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the poet's observational skills, which are described as both tender and judicious. The balance between the poet's wit and his underlying elegiac tone is a common point of interest for those analyzing his style. Many reviewers highlight the sequence Lost Cities as a significant contribution to the literature of travel and displacement. The collection is generally regarded as a substantial and satisfying entry into the contemporary poetry landscape of the time.