NEW YORK – The prestigious Pulitzer Prize for fiction was recently awarded to Percival Everett for his groundbreaking novel “James,” which offers a fresh reimagination of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” by centering on the perspective of the enslaved title character. Meanwhile, the drama award was given to “Purpose” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. This drawing-room drama artfully explores the inner turmoil of a successful Black family as it self-destructs and was recently nominated for six Tony Awards.
The acknowledgment of Everett’s work with the Pulitzer Prize underscores the widespread acclaim that “James” has garnered, marking it as one of the most significant U.S. literary novels of 2024. The 68-year-old author has seen a notable increase in recognition in recent years, having previously been known to a smaller audience. Following several accolades like the PEN/Jean Stein Award for “Dr. No,” a Pulitzer nomination for “Telephone,” and a Booker Prize shortlist mention for “The Trees,” Everett’s “James” also received the National Book Award, the Kirkus Prize, and the Carnegie Medal for fiction. His earlier work, “Erasure,” which came out in 2001, was adapted into the Oscar-nominated film “American Fiction” in 2023.
The Pulitzer committee praised “James” as a painstakingly crafted narrative that sheds light on the absurdities of racial supremacy while redefining the quest for identity and liberation. Everett expressed his joy by saying, “I am shocked and pleased, but mostly shocked. This is a wonderful honor.”
“Purpose” received acclaim as well, noted for its masterful combination of drama and comedy that scrutinizes the contrasting ways different generations interpret heritage. Jacobs-Jenkins, previously a drama Pulitzer finalist for “Everybody” in 2018 and “Gloria” in 2016, also received accolades for his previous work “Appropriate,” earning the Tony Award for best play revival last year.
In other announcements, the Pulitzer Prize for biography went to Jason Roberts for “Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All Life,” and Benjamin Nathans’ “To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement” received acknowledgment in the general nonfiction category. Notably, two books shared the history Pulitzer, each exploring themes of race in American history and culture: Edda L. Fields-Black’s “Combee: Harriet Tubman, The Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom During the Civil War,” and Kathleen DuVal’s “Native Nations: A Millennium in North America.”
Marie Howe was recognized in the poetry category for her “New and Selected Poems,” while composer and percussionist Susie Ibarra’s “Sky Islands,” an ensemble piece inspired by Luzon’s lush rainforest habitats in the Philippines, received the music prize. Additionally, Tessa Hulls’ debut book, “Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir,” earned the autobiography award.
These announcements come amidst the backdrop of budget reductions at the National Endowment for the Arts, a crucial source of support for many authors and literary organizations. Despite the constraints, both Howe and Everett have previously benefited from NEA creative writing fellowships, underscoring the impact of such support on their careers.