Wayne Macauley’s The Cook has been shortlist in the Kobo-sponsored Most Underrated Book Award, a prize that aims to draw attention to fantastic works released by independent publishers and members of the Small Press Network that, in the opinion of the judges, received inadequate recognition upon initial publication.

Judges Amy Espeseth, Bethanie Blanchard and Andrew Wrathall said of The Cook:

Merciless satire fuels The Cook. The absorbing novel is funny while maintaining a strangely poignant tone. Questions regarding cultural complicity, spiritual poverty and popular obsessions tangle until its shocking end.

The other shortlisted titles are The Dark Wet by Jess Huon (Giramondo), I Hate Martin Amis et al. by Peter Barry (Transit Lounge) and Two Steps Forward by Irma Gold (Affirm Press).

The winner will be announced at the opening of the Independent Publishing Conference at the Wheeler Centre on 8 November. Readings will be offering a 20% discount on shortlisted titles throughout November.