Charco Press’s Of Cattle and Men by Brazilian writer Ana Paula Maia, translated by Zoë Perry, has won the Republic of Consciousness prize, which recognises books from small publishers.

The 99-page book, described as a “gut-punch of a novel” by the judge Sana Goyal, is set in a slaughterhouse in an isolated corner of Brazil where cows begin to disappear, seemingly by suicide.

“This short sharp shock of a book brings a surprise with every new page,” wrote John Self in his Guardian review. “It’s a fresh and spirited report on how civilisation has done nothing to tame humanity’s worst instincts.”

Judge Rebecca Abrams said Of Cattle and Men is “understated, mesmerising and unflinching”, and “both a tightly focused, utterly gripping human story and a devastating universal parable for our times”.

Fellow judge Declan O’Driscoll described the way the novel’s “unresolved nature leaves an indelible impression on the reader, making it an exceptionally powerful piece of literature.”

A special mention was given to the other book by a Brazilian writer on the shortlist, Out of Earth by Sheyla Smanioto, translated by Laura Garmeson and Sophie Lewis. The novel, published by Boiler House Press, was praised by Abrams for its “irresistible power and passion,” and its “stunning portrayal of love and violence” across four generations of Brazilian women.

Other titles shortlisted for the prize were Avenues by Trains by Farai Mudzingwa, published by Cassava Republic Press; The End of August by Yu Miri, translated by Morgan Giles and published by Tilted Axis; and The Zecameron by Maxim Znak, translated by Jim and Ella Dingley and published by Scotland Street Press.

The longlisted presses received £500 each. The shortlisted presses received an additional £1,000 each to be split up with 75% going to the press and 25% going to the author and translator. The Republic of Consciousness Foundation was set up to support small presses in the UK and Ireland. Since it was established eight years ago it has distributed over £110,000 in prize money to more than 30 small presses.

Previous winners of the prize include Influx Press for Attrib. and other stories by Eley Williams, Fitzcarraldo Editions for Counternarratives by John Keene and CB Editions for Murmur by Will Eaves. In 2023, Missouri Williams’s debut novel The Doloriad, published by Dead Ink Books, was named as the winner.

Of Cattle and Men by Ana Paula Maia (Charco Press, £11.99). To support the Guardian and Observer, order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.