
This week, The New Yorker has been revealing the longlists for the National Book Awards, culminating today with the announcement of the fiction nominees. The list features several works that have received prior recognition from the magazine, including excerpts and critical commentary.
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Marlon James’s novel “The Disappearers” is among the nominees. It has also been nominated for a Booker Prize this spring and received high praise from Dwight Garner in The New York Times, who called it “the novel of the decade, if not the century.” Katy Waldman, a critic for The New Yorker, noted its ability to address themes of tragedy and injustice effectively.
Another nominee is Edwidge Danticat’s “Dèy,” which tells the story of a woman who survives a mass shooting but chooses not to speak of it, confronting the reader with the reality of such violence. Kenan Orhan’s “The Renovation” features a woman's bathroom that transforms into a prison cell, reflecting on memory and displacement in a profound exploration of liberation. Hannah Lillith Assadi’s “Paradiso 17,” which shares the perspective of a Palestinian man displaced by the Nakba, is similarly recognized for its complex narrative.
Valeria Luiselli’s book “Beginning Middle End” includes a story that was published in The New Yorker. This narrative follows a mother and daughter on a road trip through Sicily, prompting a reflection on the nature of beginnings. In an interview, Luiselli discussed notable literary openings, including a line from Robert Musil’s “Man Without Qualities.”
Louise Erdrich’s nominated collection, “Python’s Kiss,” features five stories that originally appeared in The New Yorker. Fiction editor Deborah Treisman describes them as “poignant, funny, and always surprising,” highlighting the deep emotional impact of stories like “Love of My Days,” which explores loss from the perspective of a grieving horse.
One standout moment from Erdrich’s collection is in the story “Nero,” previously published in 2012. It depicts a young girl staying with her grandparents, who own a slaughterhouse, and her interactions with a guard dog. This experience leads her to moments of self-awareness and sympathy, showcasing the lasting impact of these narrative explorations.
The complete list of nominees can be found through The New Yorker.