The Mookse and the Gripes

The PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction is awarded to the “the author of the best American work of fiction that year.”  It doesn’t have the extensive history of, say, the Pulitzer — the first award was given in 1981 — but it is one of America’s most prestigious literary awards, along with the Pulitzer, the National Book Critics Circle Award, and the National Book Award.  Faulkner has his name tied to the award because it is in part inspired by his generosity when he donated his 1949 Nobel Prize winnings to create a fund to support fiction writers.

Here is a link to the PEN/Faulkner homepage.

The 2009 award will be announced on May 9 February 26.

Finally!  An award for Joseph O’Neill’s excellent Netherland!

Click here for a list of past winners.