Self-Portrait as Othello

Thinking With Trees, Jason Allen-Paisant's debut collection, was named the 2022 OCM Bocas Prize for poetry and was an Irish Times and White Review Book of the Year 2021. His second collection, Self-Portrait as Othello, imagines Othello in the urban landscapes of modern London, Paris, and Venice and invent the kinds of narrative he might tell about his intersecting identities. It is a poetic memoir and ekphrastic experiment that focuses on a character at once fictional and real, refracting his European travels and considering the Black male body, its presence, transgressiveness, and vulnerabilities.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 80 pages
Publication date: 30 March 2023
Publisher: Carcanet Press Ltd

Jason Allen-Paisant's debut collection, Thinking With Trees, has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards. It was shortlisted for the Writers' Prize 2024, the Jhalak Prize 2024, the Longlisted for the OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature 2024, and ultimately won the T.S. Eliot Prize 2023. The Poetry Book Society also selected it as their Spring Choice 2023.

Thinking With Trees is a powerful exploration of the human experience, delving into themes of imperialism, identity, and the complexities of race and culture. The collection is characterized by its innovative use of form and language, as Allen-Paisant weaves together interlocking poems that imagine Othello in the urban landscapes of modern London, Paris, and Venice. Through this imaginative lens, he explores the intersections of Othello's identities as an immigrant and a Black man, highlighting the ways in which they intersect and reinforce each other in the landscape of twenty-first-century Europe.

Self-Portrait as Othello, Allen-Paisant's second collection, takes a deeper dive into these themes. The poems in this collection imagine Othello in contemporary settings, reflecting on his experiences as an immigrant and a Black man in modern-day Europe. The collection is a poetic memoir and ekphrastic experiment, combining elements of fiction and reality to create a rich and nuanced portrait of a complex character.

One of the key strengths of Allen-Paisant's work is his ability to blend the personal and the political, creating a sense of urgency and relevance in his poetry. He addresses issues of race, identity, and power with a sharp wit and a deep understanding of history, using his art to challenge the dominant narratives and promote a more inclusive and equitable society.

In addition to his literary achievements, Allen-Paisant has also been recognized for his contributions to the broader cultural landscape. He has served as a judge for the International Literature Prize and has been a visiting professor at several universities. His work has been featured in numerous publications, including The Guardian and The Irish Times, and has been praised for its ability to engage readers and inspire thought.

Overall, Jason Allen-Paisant's debut collection Thinking With Trees and his second collection Self-Portrait as Othello are a testament to his talent and dedication as a poet. His work has been recognized with numerous awards and has made a significant impact on the literary world. With his innovative use of form and language, his ability to blend the personal and the political, and his commitment to promoting social justice, Allen-Paisant is a rising star in the world of poetry.

Weight: 114g
Dimension: 134 x 215 x 9 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800173101