Percival Everett Wins National Book Award for Fiction

Percival Everett's novel 'James,' a reimagining of Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn' from the perspective of Jim, won the National Book Award for fiction at the 2024 ceremony. The event, which celebrated its 75th anniversary, featured an intimate atmosphere with performances and tributes to the importance of literature amidst ongoing book bans. Everett, who also received the Kirkus Prize and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, expressed a mix of hope and concern in his acceptance speech. Other winners included Jason De León for nonfiction, Lena Khalaf Tuffaha for poetry, and Shifa Saltagi Safadi for young people's literature. The awards highlighted themes of diversity and social issues, with several winners addressing the need for peace in their speeches. Overall, the ceremony underscored the resilience of writers and the enduring power of storytelling.