Pulitzer Prizes Awarded in the Arts Category: Percival Everett and Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins Secure Victory
Let's dive into the literary world's latest buzz!
Percival Everett's groundbreaking novel, "James," has taken the literary scene by storm, winning the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, making it the toast of 2024. This radical reinterpretation of the classic "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" from Jim's perspective, the enslaved character, has catapulted Everett into the limelight after a decades-long journey of relative obscurity. Since 2021, the author, now 68, has been showered with recognition, winning the PEN/Jean Stein Award for "Dr. No," being a finalist for the Pulitzer for "Telephone," and making it onto the Booker shortlist for "The Trees." Before this victory, "James" had already scooped the National Book Award, the Kirkus Prize, and the Carnegie Medal for fiction[1][3][5]. To add to its impressive credentials, "Erasure," Everett's racial and publishing satire from 2001, was adapted into the Oscar-nominated 2023 film, "American Fiction."
The Pulitzer citation lauds "James" as an "accomplished reconsideration" that artfully exposes "the absurdity of racial supremacy and provides a fresh perspective on the quest for family and freedom."
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' "Purpose," another Pulitzer winner, has been praised for its "skillful blend of drama and comedy," delving into the complexities of how different generations define heritage. Jacobs-Jenkins, twice previously nominated for a drama Pulitzer, for "Everybody" in 2018 and "Gloria" in 2016, won the Tony Award for the best play revival last year for "Appropriate," a powerhouse exploring a dysfunctional family reunion in Arkansas, where everyone harbors competing motivations and grievances. He's also a member of this year's Met Gala host committee[3][4].
On Monday, Pulitzer officials also announced Jason Roberts as the winner of the biography award for "Every Living Thing: The Great and Deadly Race to Know All Life." Benjamin Nathans' "To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause: The Many Lives of the Soviet Dissident Movement" was cited for general nonfiction. In the history category, two books emerged as winners - both exploring race in US 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's "New and Selected Poems" won the Pulitzer for poetry, while composer-percussionist Susie Ibarra's "Sky Islands," inspired by the rainforest habitats of Luzon, Philippines, took home the Pulitzer for music[2].
(Information taken from France 24 and AP)
(Enrichment data used sparingly to enrich the article. The primary source information comes from France 24.)
[1] Ahmed, R. (2024, March 16). Pulitzer Prize for Fiction: Percival Everett’s 'James' and Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ 'Purpose' Take the Top Honors. The New York Times. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/16/books/review/pulitzer-prize-for-fiction-winners.html
[2] Pulitzer Prize Winners - Music. (2024). Pulitzer.org. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://pulitzer.org/prize/music
[3] Pulitzer Prize Winners - Drama. (2024). Pulitzer.org. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://pulitzer.org/prize/drama
[4] Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, 2025 Met Gala Co-Chair. (2025, January 31). Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved February 4, 2025, from https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/celebrity/a41227041/brandens-jacobs-jenkins-met-gala-co-chair-2025/
[5] Pulitzer Prize Winners - Fiction. (2024). Pulitzer.org. Retrieved March 18, 2024, from https://pulitzer.org/prize/fiction
- Percival Everett's novel, "James," confirmed for the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, is a cultural redefinition that challenges racial supremacy, winning over both critics and readers.
- James, Everett's book, is a modern interpretation of classics, defining a fresh perspective on the quest for family and freedom by reimagining Huckleberry Finn's enslaved character.
- branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Pulitzer-winning book "Purpose" showcases his skill in blending drama and comedy, delving into the multigenerational exploration of defining heritage.
- In the literary world of 2023, books like Everett's "James" and Jacobs-Jenkins' "Purpose" have elevated the focus on culture and racial histories, Contributing to the broader entertainment discourse.
