There could be various reasons. Maybe the quality of the fiction entries wasn't up to the high standards expected, or there might have been some internal issues or changes in the judging process.
Maybe the submissions that year didn't meet the high standards set by the Pulitzer committee. Or it could be that the competition was just too tough and no one stood out enough.
Andrew Sean Greer was the recipient of the 2018 Pulitzer Fiction award. His winning novel was 'Less'. This book might have been selected because it had a unique voice. It could have been that the story was told in a way that was both charming and profound. Maybe it had characters that were vividly drawn and relatable. Also, the writing style might have been something that the judges really liked, with a flow and rhythm that made it a pleasure to read while also delivering a meaningful story.
As of July 2023, we don't know the nominees for the 2024 Pulitzer Fiction yet. The Pulitzer Prizes are typically announced in the spring of each year for works published in the previous year. So we have to wait until the relevant time in 2024 to find out.
Barbara Kingsolver won the Pulitzer 2023 Fiction award for her novel 'Demon Copperhead'.
Barbara Kingsolver won the 2023 Pulitzer Fiction award for her novel 'Demon Copperhead'.
Some other notable works that might have been considered (although not all) include a wide range of novels published in 2020 - 2021. However, the Pulitzer winner stands out for its unique exploration of Native American identity and history. 'The Night Watchman' tells the story of a Chippewa councilman who tries to prevent the termination of his tribe. It's a story that combines historical events with deeply personal and cultural elements, making it a remarkable piece of fiction.
It could be due to a lack of submissions that met the Pulitzer's strict criteria that year.
The 2021 Pulitzer Fiction award recognized excellence in the field of fictional literature. It went to 'The Night Watchman' which is a great read.
It's hard to say for sure. Maybe the judges didn't find any works that met their exacting standards that year.
There could be various reasons. It might have been due to a lack of outstanding works that stood out among the entries or changes in the judging criteria and process.