The National Book Foundation is awarding its 2008 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters to Maxine Hong Kingston for her "outstanding achievements as a writer of fiction, memoir, and nonfiction." Kingston's works are: The Woman Warrior, China Men, The Fifth Book of Peace, and Veterans of War, Veterans of Peace. The Foundation is also honoring Barney Rosset, head of Grove Press and the Evergreen Review, with the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community. Harold Augenbraum, Executive Director of the Foundation, said, "This year's distinguished honorees broke new ground in American literary publishing. Kingston exposed the great story of American immigration to a new, rich blend of fiction, memory, folk-tale and political idea. Rosset opened a door to brash concepts about reading in America, letting controversial literary work speak for itself."
Scott Turow will announce the 2008 National Book Award finalists on October 15 at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago. Turow, a Chicago attorney, has written: One L, Presumed Innocent, The Burden of Proof, Pleading Guilty, The Laws of Our Fathers, Personal Injuries, Reversible Errors, Ordinary Heroes, and Ultimate Punishment. A partner in the national firm of Sonnenschein, Nath and Rosenthal, he has given much time to pro bono cases. He has been appointed to a number of public bodies. Currently, Turow is a member of the Illinois Executive Ethics Commission.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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