Raymond Antrobus: A Literary Journey of Sound and Silence
The Booker Prize 2026: A Story of Innovation and Inclusion
In the world of literature, Raymond Antrobus stands out as a trailblazer, using his unique perspective as a British-Jamaican poet and educator to explore the interplay of sound, language, identity, and memory. But here's where it gets controversial: Antrobus' work challenges traditional notions of hearing and deafness, offering a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on what it means to be human.
Antrobus was diagnosed as deaf at age six, but this did not stop him from pursuing his passion for writing. His poetry collections, including Shapes & Disfigurements (2012), To Sweeten Bitter (2017), The Perseverance (2018), All The Names Given (2021), and Signs, Music (2024), have been celebrated for their innovative use of language and their ability to capture the essence of human experience. His poems have been published in prestigious journals and magazines, such as The New Yorker, the Guardian, Granta, and The Poetry Review, and have been added to the UK's GCSE syllabus, demonstrating their impact on education and culture.
But Antrobus' influence extends beyond the pages of poetry books. In 2019, he became the first poet to win the Rathbones Folio Prize for best work of literature in any genre, and has since won numerous other awards, including the Ted Hughes Award, the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award, and the Lucille Clifton Legacy Award. His debut picture book, Can Bears Ski?, illustrated by Polly Dunbar, was selected as an Ezra Jack Keats honouree winner in 2021, and his first art installation was shown at the Barbican in 2025 as part of the exhibition ‘Feel The Sound’.
Antrobus' commitment to advocacy and social responsibility is also noteworthy. He has served as an ambassador for The Poetry School and Arts Emergency, and was a board member of English PEN. Currently, he advocates for D/deaf charities, including Deaf Kidz International, the National Deaf Children’s Society, and the Royal National Institute for Deaf People. In 2020, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, and in 2021, he was appointed MBE for services to literature.
And this is the part most people miss...
Antrobus' work is not just about poetry or art; it's about breaking down barriers and challenging assumptions. His unique perspective as a deaf poet offers a fresh and powerful voice in the literary world, and his advocacy for D/deaf communities demonstrates his commitment to social justice and inclusion. So, the next time you pick up a book or turn on the radio, take a moment to appreciate the power of words and the impact they can have on our lives. And remember, as Antrobus reminds us, 'The world is full of sound, but not everyone hears it.'
What do you think about Antrobus' work and its impact on the literary world? Do you agree with his approach to advocacy and social responsibility? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
