The National Book Awards recognized significant works that explore the complexities of the Middle East, awarding Omar El Akkad the nonfiction prize for his book One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. This poignant narrative critiques the responses of Western nations to the ongoing crisis in the Gaza Strip. The ceremony, held in New York on October 25, 2023, highlighted the voices of writers with Middle Eastern heritage, addressing both historical and contemporary issues.
El Akkad, a journalist and author born in Egypt and raised in Qatar and Canada, expressed the difficulty of celebrating an award for a book that responds to such profound tragedy. “It’s very difficult to think in celebratory terms about a book that was written in response to a genocide,” he stated during his acceptance speech. He emphasized the emotional toll of witnessing the impact of violence on children, stating, “I spent two years seeing what shrapnel does to a child’s body.”
Celebrating Diverse Narratives
The fiction award went to Rabih Alameddine for his novel The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother), a comic exploration of family dynamics set against the backdrop of modern Lebanon. The story centers on a 63-year-old high school teacher and his colorful relationship with his mother, reflecting the complexities of life amidst chaos.
In the young people’s literature category, Daniel Nayeri won for The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story, which follows two siblings in Iran during the war. The National Book Awards, established in 1950, are among the most prestigious literary honors in the United States, recognizing outstanding works published that year.
The evening combined moments of humor and poignant reflection. Alameddine lightened the mood by thanking a variety of people, including his gastroenterologist and psychiatrist, while wearing a tie featuring comic strip characters. Event host Jeff Hiller, an Emmy-winning actor, humorously lamented a typo on the spine of his book, while also addressing the importance of literature.
Addressing Pressing Issues
Many of the speeches at the event addressed critical social issues, including immigration raids and the refugee crisis. Argentine author Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, who won for translated literature, delivered her acceptance speech in Spanish to provoke “fascists.” Her winning novel, We Are Green and Trembling, is inspired by the life of a 17th-century Spanish explorer who lived as a man.
The poetry prize was awarded to Patricia Smith for The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems. In her moving acceptance speech, she reflected on her mother’s harshness during her upbringing and expressed how poetry serves as a means of transcendence. “Child, look at where you are. Look at the blessings you’re trying so hard to be beyond,” she urged, emphasizing the power of literature to connect and heal.
The evening also recognized two individuals for their lifetime contributions to literature. George Saunders, honored with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, reflected on his growth as a writer and the importance of honesty in storytelling. He noted, “We’re open to finding out how things actually are, not how we think they are.”
Additionally, Roxane Gay received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. An influential cultural critic and author, Gay emphasized the importance of inclusivity in publishing, stating, “I refuse to work from a scarcity mindset. There is room for all of our voices.”
The National Book Foundation continues to play a vital role in celebrating diverse literary voices and addressing the pressing social issues of our time through the power of literature.
