US Critics Praise Late Memoir by Russian Dissident Navalny

In New York, the National Book Critics Circle held its 50th annual awards, announcing a range of noteworthy winners. Among the recipients was the posthumous memoir by Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny titled “Patriot,” which emerged victorious in the autobiography category. The book serves as a candid and surprisingly hopeful reflection on his experiences of subjugation and imprisonment. Accepting the award on his behalf, Alfred A. Knopf’s publisher Jordan Pavlin expressed the profound commitment Navalny showed to his nation and ideals, moving the audience with her heartfelt delivery. Pavlin noted the book’s peculiarly timely resonance for the United States in 2025.

This year’s fiction category was claimed by Hisham Matar for his novel “My Friends,” which weaves contrasting narratives of three Libyans residing in London. This work was among finalists such as Percival Everett’s acclaimed “James,” which previously secured accolades like the National Book Award and the Kirkus Prize.

Other winners included Adam Higginbotham, awarded in the nonfiction category for his compelling account “Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space.” Meanwhile, celebrated poet Anne Carson received recognition in the poetry category for her collection “Wrong Norma.”

In biography, Cynthia Carr’s “Candy Darling: Dreamer, Icon, Superstar” took the top honor, whereas Hanif Abdurraqib’s insights into the world of basketball in “There’s Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension” secured the award for criticism. Pedro Lemebel, with his work “A Last Supper of Queer Apostles” translated by Gwendolyn Harper, received accolades for best-translated work.

The John Leonard Prize for best debut book honored Tessa Hulls for her graphic memoir “Feeding Ghosts.” John Leonard, a revered critic who helped found the NBCC back in 1974, is remembered fondly through this award named in his honor.

Special honorary awards were also tiered to notable figures, including Sandra Cisneros, known for “The House On Mango Street,” and the esteemed Black-owned publishing house, Third World Press. The ceremony additionally recognized critic Lauren Michele Jackson and author-educator Lori Lynn Turner. Maxine Hong Kingston, who had been honored by the NBCC in 1977 for her influential work “The Woman Warrior,” delivered the keynote address, rounding off an evening celebrating substantial contributions to literature.