The National Book Awards, established in 1950, celebrate the finest achievements in American literature. Managed by the National Book Foundation, these prestigious awards recognize exceptional works across categories such as Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Young People’s Literature, and Translation. Each year, the winners are chosen by panels of distinguished authors, critics, and literary experts. The awards aim to showcase diverse voices shaping the contemporary literature landscape. The 2024 winners were announced on November 21 in New York City.
Fiction: Percival Everett, James
Percival Everett’s James reimagines The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, offering a fresh perspective on the classic tale while searching for more profound themes. Everett examines identity, freedom, and moral complexity through a modern lens in James. It’s a testament to Everett’s craft that he balances paying homage to Mark Twain while creating a robust, standalone narrative.
Nonfiction: Jason De León, Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling
Anthropologist Jason De León’s Soldiers and Kings is an empathetic exploration of human smuggling. De León drew on his academic background, as Soldiers and Kings is deeply researched and offers detailed firsthand accounts based on his years of fieldwork. De León illuminates the dangers, resilience, and human cost within the shadow world of migration. His book challenges readers to confront moral dilemmas and look at the systemic failures underpinning these narratives, making it a standout in the field of nonfiction.
Young People’s Literature: Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Kareem Between
Shifa Saltagi Safadi’s Kareem Between offers a heartfelt and insightful portrayal of identity, belonging, and the complexities of growing up. Following a young boy navigating his bicultural identity, Kareem Between still resonates with readers of all ages. Safadi’s voice is fresh, funny, and vital to the formula of children’s literature.
Poetry: Lena Khalaf Tuffaha, Something About Living
In Something About Living, Lena Khalaf Tuffaha uses powerful and moving poetry to reflect on the joys and struggles of being human. Her poetry weaves personal and political threads, drawing on her Arab-American heritage. She addresses several themes in her work, including exile, love, and survival. Tuffaha’s work is a testament to poetry’s ability to distill profound truths in simple language.
Translation: Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, Taiwan Travelogue (translated by Lin King)
Yáng Shuāng-zǐ’s Taiwan Travelogue, translated by Lin King, offers a vivid and intimate glimpse into Taiwan’s landscapes, cultures, and histories. King’s translation can capture the lyrical beauty of the original text while still providing an accessible book to a broader audience.
Lifetime Achievement Medals: Barbara Kingsolver and W. Paul Coates
Barbara Kingsolver, known for monumental works like The Poisonwood Bible and Demon Copperhead, was honoured for her contributions to fiction and advocacy for environmental and social justice. W. Paul Coates, founder of Black Classic Press, was also recognized for championing the preservation and dissemination of African American literature.
“Artists get called a lot of dreamy things. We’re lighthouses. We’re visionaries… But I think we’re at our best when we’re disruptors. We get to crack people open… We use our best, beautiful tricks to lure people into letting go of themselves for a little while so they can look into the soul of another human. Because that empathy, my friends, is our salvation.”- Barbara Kingsolver
The 2024 National Book Awards reminds us of literature’s enduring impact, offering solace and challenge in our rapidly evolving world. Each winner has profoundly contributed to the literary landscape, inviting reflection, questioning, and connection.
An avid book reader and proud library card holder, Angela is new to the world of e-Readers. She has a background in education, emergency response, fitness, loves to be in nature, traveling and exploring. With an honours science degree in anthropology, Angela also studied writing after graduation. She has contributed work to The London Free Press, The Gazette, The Londoner, Best Version Media, Lifeliner, and Citymedia.ca.
