They often have deep - rooted themes. For example, many explore the human condition, like loneliness, love, and the search for identity.
The writing styles are diverse. Some may be very descriptive, painting vivid pictures of the settings and characters, while others may focus more on dialogue to drive the story forward. Also, they usually have a high level of literary merit. The authors use various literary devices such as symbolism and foreshadowing to enhance the stories. For instance, in some stories, a simple object like a key can symbolize a character's search for answers or a way out of their current situation.
One characteristic could be high - quality writing. The works would have had well - crafted sentences, rich vocabulary, and a good flow. For example, the use of literary devices like metaphors and similes to enhance the description.
Often, they have strong character development. For example, the characters in 'The Nickel Boys' are so vividly drawn that you can't help but be affected by their plights. Another characteristic is unique storytelling. 'Trust Exercise' has a very distinct way of presenting the story that keeps readers on their toes.
Many of them also have well - developed characters. In 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker, the characters like Celie are complex and go through significant growth and transformation throughout the story. This allows readers to form deep emotional connections with them, which is a key aspect of many award - winning novels.
Another great story could be 'A Good Man Is Hard to Find' by Flannery O'Connor. It's full of complex characters and themes. The grandmother in the story is a very interesting character, and through her journey, we see themes of grace, violence, and the search for goodness in a world that seems to lack it.
The works likely had strong character development. Writers had to create believable and complex characters for the readers to engage with. For example, if a story was about a historical event, the characters had to be well - crafted to bring that era to life.
These works also have a strong sense of place. 'Pachinko' for instance, vividly depicts the different locations from Korea to Japan. The descriptions of the settings help to set the mood, enhance the cultural context, and contribute to the overall atmosphere of the story, which is a common characteristic among the works in the 2017 National Book Award Fiction category.
Often, they have highly detailed historical settings. For example, they might accurately depict the architecture, clothing, and language of the time period. This helps the reader to be fully immersed in the historical context.
Many of them deal with deep and relevant themes. 'The Furrows' for instance, tackles the difficult topic of grief in a way that makes the reader really think about how we remember and come to terms with loss. They also tend to be well - written, with rich language and vivid descriptions that bring the stories to life.
Often, they have well - researched historical settings. For example, books set during wars like World War II or the Civil War will accurately portray the events, uniforms, and social atmospheres of those times.
The '2017 award winning short stories' are likely to have a high level of emotional impact. They can make readers feel a range of emotions, from joy to sadness, anger to hope. The stories are also likely to be concise yet powerful. Short stories have limited space, and these award - winning ones must be able to tell a complete and engaging story in a relatively short span. They may also have a strong sense of place, whether it's a small town, a big city, or a fictional world, which helps to ground the story and make it more immersive for the reader.