National Book Critics Circle Awards
Last night was the 33rd National Books Critical Circle Awards. As the name would imply, winners in six categories are selected by professional book review editors and reviewers---the only awards bestowed by practicing critics.
John Leonard, accepting an award for lifetime achievement, gave a rousing speech about criticism past and present. He reads an astonishing five books a week, figuring that when he reaches a grand total of 13,000, his life will be over. Looking into the crowd of NBCC members, publicists, authors, editors, and agents, Leonard mused, “It’s so nice to be in a room full of people who know nothing about the profit margin.”
And the other winners were:
Criticism: Lawrence Weschler, “Everything that Rises: A Book of Convergences” (McSweeney's). This book was described as “1 part literary juke box, 2 parts art history”
Poetry: Troy Jollimore, “Tom Thomson in Purgatory” (Margie/Intuit House). This was the surprise of the evening. When his name was called, someone---editor, friend, agent?---let out a huge whoop. At the podium, Jollimore said, “I’m stunned . . . and I may not be the only one.”
Non-Fiction: Simon Schama, “Rough Crossings: Britain, Slaves, and the American Revolution” (Ecco). Schama referred to himself in the third person throughout his acceptance speech. Enough said.
Biography: Julie Phillips, “James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon” (St. Martin's Press). This book was ten years in the making. Phillips even teared up as she thanked “Ali.”
Autobiography: Daniel Mendelsohn, THE LOST (HarperCollins). Mendelsohn said he’d be quick giving his speech, because he’d “had to go to the bathroom since poetry.” He went on to say how nice it was to receive recognition from people who “actually know what they’re talking about,” a dig at everyday bloggers. While everyone thanked their agents and editors, only Mendelsohn talked about the truly wonderful relationship he has with his, so great in fact, after their first meeting, Mendelsohn wondered, “Why don’t my dates go this way?”
Fiction: Kiran Desai, THE INHERITANCE OF LOSS (Atlantic Monthly Press). She read a quotation from Borges and thanked her mom.
President John Freeman, who looks like a literary Nick Lachey, concluded the ceremony by telling us to go have a drink with the authors whom we’ve kept “in our laps” all year long.
John Leonard, accepting an award for lifetime achievement, gave a rousing speech about criticism past and present. He reads an astonishing five books a week, figuring that when he reaches a grand total of 13,000, his life will be over. Looking into the crowd of NBCC members, publicists, authors, editors, and agents, Leonard mused, “It’s so nice to be in a room full of people who know nothing about the profit margin.”
And the other winners were:
Criticism: Lawrence Weschler, “Everything that Rises: A Book of Convergences” (McSweeney's). This book was described as “1 part literary juke box, 2 parts art history”
Poetry: Troy Jollimore, “Tom Thomson in Purgatory” (Margie/Intuit House). This was the surprise of the evening. When his name was called, someone---editor, friend, agent?---let out a huge whoop. At the podium, Jollimore said, “I’m stunned . . . and I may not be the only one.”
Non-Fiction: Simon Schama, “Rough Crossings: Britain, Slaves, and the American Revolution” (Ecco). Schama referred to himself in the third person throughout his acceptance speech. Enough said.
Biography: Julie Phillips, “James Tiptree, Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon” (St. Martin's Press). This book was ten years in the making. Phillips even teared up as she thanked “Ali.”
Autobiography: Daniel Mendelsohn, THE LOST (HarperCollins). Mendelsohn said he’d be quick giving his speech, because he’d “had to go to the bathroom since poetry.” He went on to say how nice it was to receive recognition from people who “actually know what they’re talking about,” a dig at everyday bloggers. While everyone thanked their agents and editors, only Mendelsohn talked about the truly wonderful relationship he has with his, so great in fact, after their first meeting, Mendelsohn wondered, “Why don’t my dates go this way?”
Fiction: Kiran Desai, THE INHERITANCE OF LOSS (Atlantic Monthly Press). She read a quotation from Borges and thanked her mom.
President John Freeman, who looks like a literary Nick Lachey, concluded the ceremony by telling us to go have a drink with the authors whom we’ve kept “in our laps” all year long.
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