Ambroggio Prize-winning poet published by the University of Arizona Press
The University of Arizona Press is thrilled to publish the 2025 Academy of American Poets Ambroggio Prize winner: The Whole Earth Is a Garden of Monsters / Toda la tierra es un jardín de monstruos by Manuel Iris.
Established in 2017, the Ambroggio Prize is the only annual award in the United States which honors American poets whose first language is Spanish. It is given to a book-length poetry manuscript originally written in Spanish and with an English translation.
Iris' collection intertwines the lives of a Renaissance painter and a modern migrant worker, offering a fresh perspective on art and migration. By comparing and at times intertwining these two poetic narratives, the book explores themes of art, migration, narco-violence, family, spirituality, and the idea that every human being represents all humanity at any moment in history. Both Hieronymus Bosch and Juan Domínguez become relatable and intimate figures, part of our own story.
Podcast: Manuel Iris Speaks On Dual Narratives in His Poetry
About the University of Arizona Press
The University of Arizona Press (UA Press) is the premier publisher of academic, regional, and literary works in the state of Arizona. We disseminate ideas and knowledge of lasting value that enrich understanding, inspire curiosity, and enlighten readers. We advance the University of Arizona’s mission by connecting scholarship and creative expression to readers worldwide.