The 75th National Book Awards, held on November 20, 2024, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, honored exceptional works that challenged narratives and amplified underrepresented voices. Hosted by Kate McKinnon, the ceremony featured a musical performance by Jon Batiste and recognized authors across five categories.
Fiction:
James by Percival Everett
Percival Everett’s James reimagines Mark Twain’s classic The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man. This novel offers a profound exploration of identity and freedom, earning Everett the National Book Award for Fiction.
Nonfiction:
Soldiers and Kings by Jason De León
Jason De León’s Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling provides an unflinching look into the lives of migrants and the human smuggling industry, shedding light on stories often left untold.
Poetry:
Something About Living by Lena Khalaf Tuffaha
Lena Khalaf Tuffaha’s poetry collection delves into themes of diaspora and cultural memory, offering a poignant reflection on Palestinian identity and resilience.
Translated Literature:
Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated by Lin King
This work captures a fictional Japanese writer’s journey through 1930s Taiwan, exploring themes of friendship and colonial history. The translation by Lin King brings this narrative to an English-speaking audience.
Young People’s Literature:
Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi
Shifa Saltagi Safadi’s novel follows a Syrian American boy navigating the complexities of identity and belonging, resonating with young readers facing similar challenges.
The ceremony also honored Barbara Kingsolver with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and W. Paul Coates with the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community.
These awards underscore the power of literature to challenge perspectives and foster empathy, celebrating authors who bring diverse experiences to the forefront.