Paradise

by Andrew Sutherland

Paradise (point of transmission) is a collection of poetry that place themselves within a sequence of physical and psychic transitional spaces: from seronegative to seropositive; from ‘adopted’ Singaporean to the poet finding his place again as an adult in the Perth of his childhood; and from being secretive about his HIV-status (in which the art he produced was rooted in the trauma of HIV transmission without naming it), towards living a more public life, in which living openly with HIV is characterised by the queer longing toward both resilience and transformation.

Genres: Poetry, Queer, LGBT

96 pages, Paperback

Published August 2, 2022

Reviews

[sabsey]

Authentic, magnetic, arresting collection. And also, funny!

Fave poems included:

Breed
to the 14-year-old writing Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan fiction
we go camping in the woods with the most derivative witches
afterwards, bring me back as Tom Cruise's wig in Interview with the Vampire
Narrative
Terminal
Dogbite
Youth
my parents never let me watch Event Horizon as a child
Instructional
Leak
Muad'Dib my veins, I'll go
afterwards, bring me back as Winona Ryder's accent in Dracula
public health the silence of god
Nothing
Aesthetics (new Sodom)
Eris
Arrival Time [in fifteen movements]
The Little Mermaid [left unfinished]

[Anna Saxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perth author, bored then agog and gut-punched so suddenly I gasped

[Jess Checkland · Rating 3 out of 5]

‘draw a map between our bodies
and they might name it a failed
lane but if there’s a state of me
at all then name it yours.’

A confronting and insightful collection of poetry that examines Queer and HIV-positive identity by drawing on other works, myths and popular culture.

[Kirsten · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with all poetry collections, some were beautiful and some had too many star trek references? At times I started to get bored but then the next page would get me again. The subject matter was so heartbreaking to read at parts, but it also didn’t take itself too seriously in the way it was written which I appreciate when it comes to poetry.

I don’t know why I was so surprised at Singapore’s laws regarding HIV, I suppose I shouldn’t be. I also always appreciate reading things set in Perth/by Western Australian authors, and I really appreciated the thorough acknowledgment of country in the intro - maybe I just don’t read enough Australian authors but it was refreshing to see.

Loses points for Gwyneth Paltrow reference and quirky formatting. But yass

[Bianca · Rating 3 out of 5]

✍️ This is Andrew Sutherland's collection of poems in relation to his HIV diagnosis and life in Singapore and Perth.

I have to confess that I'm not the greatest enthusiast for poetry but in spite of that and after reading the synopsis, I was captivated by this beautiful debut compilation.

Replete with unvarnished and sincere sentimentalities, I was riveted by the graceful and tender writing style and imaginativeness throughout. Along with portraying fundamental recollections there was also a lighthearted and humorous feel with references to popular culture and other words.

[Lisa Collyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Koi Sutherland launched his poetry collection, Paradise (point of transmission) to an intimate gathering of family, friends, and fans at The Blue Room Theatre this Monday. Poetry editor of Fremantle Press, Georgia Richter said, that she could not believe this was Andrew's debut collection. I am currently dipping into this masterpiece and I am thrilled by the rhythm, the ibis motif, the fusion of folklore, popular culture and human fragility and fallibility. Available at Rabble Books & Games and all good book stores. Published by Fremantle Press and read by you.

[Luna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I struggle with poetry. So there's that.

Poems I liked:
Sodom & Gommorah
we go camping...
human sacrifice made sexy
Anna Paquin
Judith...

Mostly, though, I really struggled with the formatting here. Is this the current style du jour- to have bizarre formatting that makes it difficult, of not impossible, to follow? If so, this is going to keep me away from poetry.

[Alan Fyfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refined and clever work of communicative poetry. Funny too! It's rare to laugh out loud reading a poetry book, but Sutherland's wit is one of the best elements of Paradise (Point of Transmission). Combine that with an assured poetic style, and intricate knowledge of art and pop-culture, and you have something very worthy of your attention.

[ValTheBookEater]

my favourite poems: "I watched the student actors perform Angels in America the day after I tested positive", "Muad'Dib my veins, I'll go", "to the 14-year-old writing Buffy The Vampire Slayer fan fiction", "Ancestor Poem", and "Paradise"

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was such a compelling book!! expertly uses visual language in a way that's often humorous and thought provoking. would recommend to all fans of birds, queer theory, or vampires.

[Kate Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving collection of poetry about Singaporean and Boorloo/Perth life post-HIV diagnosis

[L · Rating 2 out of 5]

erotic yet sad poetry. interesting concept but not my cup of tea lmao

[Aj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many of the poems were beautifully crafted and potent. Others held little meaning that I could decipher.