Percival Everett’s novel “James” won the National Book Award for fiction, providing a new perspective on “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the enslaved companion, Jim. The book explores Jim’s thoughts on racism and his survival strategies when white people are not around. In his acceptance speech, Everett expressed hope for unity through books during challenging times. The idea for “James” came to him while playing tennis, prompting him to retell the classic story from Jim’s point of view and give him a voice as a literate and thoughtful character. Critics have praised the novel as a slyly funny masterpiece.
Jason De León’s “Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling” won the National Book Award in the nonfiction category, while Barbara Kingsolver and W. Paul Coates received lifetime achievement awards. However, Coates’ Black Classic Press had previously reprinted an essay deemed antisemitic, sparking controversy. National Book Foundation’s executive director defended the decision, stating that Coates was honored for his overall contributions rather than any individual publication. The foundation upholds free expression while condemning anti-Semitism and bigotry. Previous accolades for Everett include short-listings for the Booker Prize and the Pulitzer Prize. The author’s work often delves into race in America, with his novel “Erasure” being adapted into the film “American Fiction.”
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