The much-anticipated fiction longlist from the National Book Critics Circle has finally made its debut! In celebration of its 50th anniversary, the NBCC has made the exciting decision to unveil longlists for their annual awards for the very first time. Since 1974, the NBCC has been dedicated to recognizing exceptional writing and stimulating national discussions about reading, criticism, and literature.
From December 16 to December 19, the board will be unveiling the longlists for six different genres: fiction, autobiography, biography, nonfiction, poetry, and criticism. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword has also made its grand entrance – can you solve it quickly? Test your skills now!
NBCC President Heather Scott Partington shared her pride in this milestone announcement, stating, “The NBCC is thrilled to present our longlists for the inaugural time in our 50-year history. By revealing them, we aim to honor a greater number of writers, translators, and books than ever before in a single year. The standout books of 2024 were stories of resilience, introspection, and creativity. They challenged us to reexamine notions of power, art, and genre.”
She continued, emphasizing the importance of the initiative, “In a time when the freedom to read is increasingly under threat, we are delighted to champion these authors and their works. We applaud their courage and artistic vision. Their words are truly indispensable.”
The Fiction genre longlist showcases an array of compelling works:
1. The Anthropologists by Ayşegül Savaş
2. Beautyland by Marie-Helene Bertino
3. Colored Television by Danzy Senna
4. Godwin by Joseph O’Neill
5. Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham
6. James by Percival Everett
7. My Friends by Hisham Matar
8. Sister Deborah by Scholastique Mukasonga (translated from French by Mark Polizzotti)
9. Small Rain by Garth Greenwell
10. Us Fools by Nora Lange
The list is a testament to the diverse and impactful narratives in contemporary fiction.
The NBCC genre awards aren’t the only honors at stake. Members will also cast their votes for the John Leonard Prize, recognizing the best debut book across all genres, and the Gregg Barrios Book in Translation Prize, celebrating the finest book translated into English and published in the US.
Moreover, special awards will be bestowed to acknowledge outstanding contributions by NBCC members and individuals or institutions that have made transformative contributions to book culture.
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