National Book Award nominees for 2003 were just announced. As is my too-busy wont, I haven’t read any of the books. I HAVE, however, been present when one of the authors read from his book. I wrote up that experience in February (go here to understand just how bullshit a writer I think Boyle is, and why nominations like this exist seemingly to reinforce my hatred of art that makes middlebrows feel like they’re smart. Grr.)
Nominees:
T.C. Boyle, Drop City
Shirley Hazzard, The Great Fire
Edward P. Jones, The Known World
Scott Spencer, A Ship Made of Paper
Marianne Wiggins, Evidence of Things Unseen
