National Book Awards Honor Rabih Alameddine, Omar El Akkad Among Winners
The National Book Awards have recognized excellence in literature during a prestigious gala in Manhattan. This year, several authors received accolades for their outstanding works across various genres.
2023 Winners of the National Book Awards
- Fiction: Rabih Alameddine for The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother)
- Non-Fiction: Omar El Akkad for One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This
- Poetry: Patricia Smith for The Intentions of Thunder
- Translated Literature: Gabriela Cabezón Cámara for We Are Green and Trembling (translated by Robin Myers)
- Young People’s Literature: Daniel Nayeri for The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story
Ceremony Highlights
The evening commenced with a musical performance by Corinne Bailey Rae. Comedian Jeff Hiller entertained the audience with humor directed at the literary community, referencing memorable typos and clever literary parodies.
Roxane Gay received the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. In her acceptance speech, she emphasized the importance of supporting fellow writers and warned against focusing on superficial metrics like social media popularity.
George Saunders was honored with the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. His acceptance was both humorous and insightful, referring to writing as “a kind of sacrament.”
Acceptance Speeches
Daniel Nayeri expressed gratitude while accepting the Young People’s Literature award. He reflected on his journey in literature, emphasizing the joy of storytelling.
Gabriela Cabezón Cámara accepted her award in Spanish, stating the significance of sharing diverse voices in literature. Robin Myers spoke passionately about the role of literature in challenging oppressive regimes.
Patricia Smith’s acceptance for the poetry award was particularly poignant. She shared a heartfelt story about her mother’s last days, touching on themes of community and pride.
Omar El Akkad’s speech resonated with clarity and humor. His joke about his ill-fitting suit highlighted his charm and was well-received by the audience.
Rabih Alameddine concluded the acceptance speeches for fiction. He delivered a witty and heartfelt speech, recognizing those who have supported him and the broader literary community.
Conclusion
The National Book Awards showcased remarkable talent and celebrated the power of literature. The winning titles by Rabih Alameddine, Omar El Akkad, and others offer great choices for holiday reading. For further details on the award winners, follow El-Balad’s upcoming features on these outstanding authors.
