Poet makes Guardian first book award shortlist with 'hymns to the male body'

Only the second time poetry has reached the shortlist, Andrew McMillan’s Physical lines up with novels, short stories and Russia reportage for 2015 prize

The heady scent of sensuality surrounds the 2015 Guardian first book award, as a series of “hymns to the male body” becomes only the second collection of poetry to be shortlisted for the prize.

Andrew McMillan’s exploration of modern masculinity, Physical, is one of six debuts in contention for the £10,000 award. This examination of what it means to be a man in the 21st century interrogates contemporary gay life to reflect on connections between bodies and souls.