They often touch on important themes relevant to society at that time. Whether it's about friendship in 'The Friend', the complex identity of a community in 'There There' or the personal growth and exploration in 'Washington Black', these themes resonate with readers and contribute to their standing as finalists.
The quality of writing. For example, in 'The Friend', Sigrid Nunez's prose is very engaging.
The diversity of stories. 'There There' stands out for its unique focus on Native American experiences, which is not as commonly explored in mainstream literature in such an in - depth way. It brings to light the rich cultures, histories, and modern - day situations of Native Americans. And in 'Washington Black', the exploration of a character's journey across different places and self - discovery is very captivating.
The finalists are special because they represent the best in contemporary fiction. Each book offers a unique perspective, like 'Black Leopard, Red Wolf' which has a very distinct fantasy world - building.
The nominees often stand out because of their high - quality writing. The prose is usually well - crafted, engaging readers on a deep level.
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.
I'm not sure specifically who the finalists were for the National Book Award 2021 Fiction. You can check the official National Book Award website or do a quick search in a library database to find out.
I'm not sure exactly who all the finalists were for the 2020 National Book Award for Fiction. You can check the official National Book Award website for the most accurate and detailed list.
The uniqueness of the stories. 'The Underground Railroad' takes a historical concept and twists it in a creative way. They also represent a wide range of voices. 'Beloved' gives a voice to the experiences of slaves and the after - effects of slavery. Moreover, they often have complex characters. In 'The Corrections', the Lambert family members are all fully - fleshed, with their own desires, flaws and hopes.
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.
Some of the finalists included 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It was a powerful novel that reimagined the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad underground. It explored themes of slavery, freedom, and the journey towards a better life in a very unique and engaging way.
Some of the works that were finalists in the 2016 National Book Award for Fiction included 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It's a powerful novel that reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad underground. The story follows Cora, a slave, on her journey to freedom through this surreal yet symbolic landscape. This work was widely praised for its unique take on a crucial part of American history and its masterful storytelling.