In accepting the award, Percival Everett expressed his optimism amidst personal challenges, stating, 'Seeing people coming together to celebrate books gave me a sense of optimism during what was, for him, a challenging moment.' He alluded to the disheartening results of the recent presidential election but highlighted the excitement surrounding literature as a source of hope.
Critics lauded 'James' as a 'tangled and subversive homage' to Twain's classic, with Dwight Garner of The New York Times calling it a 'masterpiece that deserves to be read alongside the book that inspired it.' This praise emphasizes the rich intertextuality and relevance of Everett's novel.
The National Book Award ceremony was a grand celebration, attended by 800 guests at Cipriani Wall Street. It opened with a captivating piano performance of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, setting a vibrant tone for the evening that honored literary excellence and community.
Collection
[
|
...
]