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| Colson Whitehead (photo: Chris Close) |
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Colson Whitehead will receive the 2020 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction, which honors an American literary writer whose body of work "is distinguished not only for its mastery of the art but also for its originality of thought and imagination"; and "seeks to commend strong, unique, enduring voices that--throughout long, consistently accomplished careers--have told us something essential about the American experience."
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden selected Whitehead--who, at 50, is the youngest person to receive the Library's fiction award for his lifetime of work--as this year's winner based on nominations from more than 60 distinguished literary figures, including former winners of the prize, acclaimed authors and literary critics from around the world. The prize ceremony will take place online during the National Book Festival in September.
"Colson Whitehead's work is informed by probing insights into the human condition and empathy for those who struggle with life's sometimes harrowing vicissitudes," Hayden said. "In novels such as The Nickel Boys and The Underground Railroad, he has expanded the scope of historical events, transforming them into metaphors for today's world."
Whitehead commented: "As a kid, I'd walk into great New York City libraries like the Schomburg and the Mid-Manhattan, on a field trip or for a school assignment, and feel this deep sense of awe, as if I'd stumbled into a sacred pocket in the city. I hope that right now there's a young kid who looks like me, who sees the Library of Congress recognize Black artists and feels encouraged to pursue their own vision and find their own sacred spaces of inspiration."
Whitehead has published seven novels, including The Nickel Boys, which won this year's Pulitzer Prize for Fiction; The Underground Railroad, winner of the National Book Award for Fiction and the Pulitzer; The Intuitionist; John Henry Days; Apex Hides the Hurt; Sag Harbor and Zone One. His nonfiction books are The Colossus of New York and The Noble Hustle: Poker, Beef Jerky & Death.
On Thursday, July 16, Whitehead will join Hayden in a conversation on race in the U.S. Part of a video series called Hear You, Hear Me, the conversation will be available at 7 p.m. on the Library's Facebook and YouTube channels and at https://go.usa.gov/xwuFk.