Released 29/09/2022
Subhash Jaireth’s collection of essays titled Spinoza’s Overcoat has been revealed as the 2021 ACT Book of the Year.
The essays, which explore the lives of writers, poets and their travels, ultimately won over the judges to receive the $10,000 prize.
In addition to the winner, the judges have awarded two highly commended and three shortlisted novels from local authors this year.
Minister for the Arts Tara Cheyne congratulated Subhash Jaireth and those highly commended and shortlisted for the award.
“Congratulations to Subhash Jaireth for his moving collection of essays Spinoza’s Overcoat published by Transit Lounge. The judging panel agreed this book is a superb achievement that pushes literary form.
“I’d also like to congratulate Bernard Collaery and Moya Pacey for their highly commended works. It’s wonderful to see such original and significant books originating from the ACT’s literary community,” said Minister Cheyne.
Nominations for the 2022 ACT Book of the Year are now open. Go to the artsACT website for more information.
ACT Book of the Year 2021:
- Winner: Spinoza’s Overcoat by Subhash Jaireth
- Highly Commended: Oil Under Troubled Water by Bernard Collaery
- Highly Commended: Doggerland by Moya Pacey
- Shortlisted: Utterly by Dr PS Cottier
- Shortlisted: Nigh by Dr Penelope Layland
- Shortlisted: The Trials of Portnoy by Dr Patrick Mullins
All books are available on loan from ACT Libraries.
Judges’ comment:
Subhash Jaireth is a writer of international significance, and Spinoza’s Overcoat represents the culmination of decades of work. This major achievement takes a broad literary perspective, pushing form and progression of poetics. This is first-class cultural criticism, in a voice that is daring and rare, moving and lifting. Subhash Jaireth is a superb writer, poet and researcher, and above all true to himself.
- Statement ends -
| Tara Cheyne, MLA | Media Releases