Reliefs is an electrifying debut from a serious talent.

– Sarah Holland-Batt

We will be discussing Jarad Bruinstroop's poetry collection, Reliefs, winner of the 2022 Thomas Shapcott Award.

To be a man

is to scrutinise

all men.

And then lie about it.

In this striking debut, Jarad Bruinstroop offers a frank and tender exploration of Queer history, art, beauty and pain. With skill and wit, Bruinstroop plumbs the manifold pleasures of language in search of connection, transcendence and home.

In this special iteration of Texta we will welcome poet and QUT Creative Writing academic Jarad Bruinstroop to read from his collection. Join us as Jarad bears witness to the lives of Queer people past and present, and for a celebration of the resilience of the desiring body and Queer joy.

About Texta

Texta is no ordinary book club; it's for people who love art. We use fiction (mostly) to unpack the subjects, themes and emotions of art. Conversation is never colourless, and is facilitated by our Engagement Coordinator, Renae Belton, and University Librarian Nicole Clark.

Texta is held throughout the year on Tuesday evenings. You can purchase this title from the Bookshop at QUT Depot.