Canadian writer and journalist Omar El Akkad’s acclaimed memoir and manifesto have been selected as one of the finalists for the prestigious National Book Award in the United States this year. The annual literary prize, worth $10,000 USD (approximately 13,954.49 Canadian Dollars), is bestowed by the National Book Foundation to recognize exceptional works in various genres such as fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, and young people’s literature.
Titled “One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This,” El Akkad’s first nonfiction piece delves into his reflections on truth, justice, privilege, and morality. The inspiration for this work stemmed from a social media post he made in the aftermath of the Gaza bombardment in the fall of 2023, where he envisioned a time when universal condemnation would be unshakeable.
The author, who resides in Portland, Oregon, elucidates and expands on his initial social media statement in this profound piece. El Akkad, known for his novel “American War,” which was championed on Canada Reads in 2018, and his award-winning book “What Strange Paradise,” is acclaimed for his thought-provoking narratives.
The National Book Foundation recently disclosed the nominees across five competitive categories, featuring prominent authors Megha Majumdar, Rabhi Alameddine, Karen Russell, Ethan Rutherford, and Bryan Washington in the fiction category. The diverse settings of the fiction works range from futuristic India to 1930s Nebraska and contemporary Tokyo, showcasing a wide spectrum of storytelling.
In the nonfiction category, literary figures such as Yiyun Li, Julia Ioffe, Claudia Rowe, and Jordan Thomas have been recognized for their impactful works. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner on November 19 in downtown Manhattan, with honorary awards slated for fiction writer George Saunders and author-publisher Roxane Gay.
This year’s National Book Award promises to be a celebration of literary excellence, bringing together a stellar lineup of talented writers across various genres.