National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction
National Book Critics Circle (NBCC), a nonprofit organization of American book reviewers and critics
An annual American literary prize awarded by the National Book Critics Circle to honor the best work of fiction published in English (including works in translation) during the previous year, chosen by a board of professional book critics and editors.
Latest winner · 2025
- We Do Not Part · Han Kang, translated by e. yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris
Next · expected February 2027
Shortlist announced Full award calendar
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2025
- Won
- Shortlisted
- On the Calculation of Volume (Book III)Shortlisted
Solvej Balle with Sophia Hersi Smith and Jennifer Russell (trans.)
- Shortlisted
- Shortlisted
2024
- Won
- BeautylandShortlisted
Marie-Helene Bertino
- Shortlisted
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- Us FoolsShortlisted
Nora Lange
2023
- Won
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- Vengeance Is MineShortlisted
Marie NDiaye with Jordan Stump (trans.)
2022
- Won
- A New NameShortlisted
Jon Fosse with Damion Searls (trans.)
- All the Lovers in the NightShortlisted
Mieko Kawakami with Sam Bett and David Boyd (trans.)
- Shortlisted
- Shortlisted
2021
- Won
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- The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous FamilyShortlisted
Won 1 more award
2020
- Won
- How to Pronounce KnifeShortlisted
Souvankham Thammavongsa
- Shortlisted
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2019
- Won
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2018
- Won
- Slave Old ManShortlisted
Patrick Chamoiseau with Linda Coverdale (trans.)
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2013
- Won
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- The InfatuationsShortlisted
Javier Marías with Margaret Jull Costa (trans.)
2012
- Won
- HHhHShortlisted
Laurent Binet with Sam Taylor (trans.)
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2011
- Won
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2010
- Won
- Comedy in a Minor KeyShortlisted
Hans Keilson
- Shortlisted
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2009
- Won
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2008
- Won
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- The Ballad of Trenchmouth TaggartShortlisted
M. Glenn Taylor
- Shortlisted
2001
- Won
2000
- Won
- Shortlisted
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- The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and ClayShortlisted
Won 1 more award · Nominated for 2 more awards
- Shortlisted
1999
- Won
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- Midnight ChampagneShortlisted
A. Manette Ansay
- Shortlisted
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1998
- Won
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- No Lease on LifeShortlisted
Lynne Tillman
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1997
- Won
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1996
- Won
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- Dancing After HoursShortlisted
Andre Dubus
- From BondageShortlisted
Henry Roth
1995
- Won
- Shortlisted
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- The Tent of Orange MistShortlisted
Paul West
1994
- Won
- Shortlisted
- And All Our Wounds ForgivenShortlisted
Julius Lester
- In the Time of the ButterfliesShortlisted
Julia Alvarez
- The Prince of West End AvenueShortlisted
Alan Isler
1993
- Won
- Shortlisted
- The Jade CabinetShortlisted
Rikki Ducornet
- Shortlisted
- VindicationShortlisted
Frances Sherwood
1992
- Won
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1991
- Won
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- Typical AmericanShortlisted
Gish Jen
- Shortlisted
1990
- Won
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1983
- Won
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- During the Reign of the Queen of PersiaShortlisted
Joan Chase
- Magnetic Field (s)Shortlisted
Ron Loewinsohn
- Shortlisted
1982
- Won
- Shortlisted
- Shortlisted
Levitation: Five Fictions
- Shortlisted
- Shortlisted
1979
- Won
- King of the Jews: A Novel of the HolocaustShortlisted
Leslie Epstein
- Sleepless NightsShortlisted
Elizabeth Hardwick
- Shortlisted
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1978
- Won
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- WrinklesShortlisted
Charles Simmons
1975
- Won
Frequently asked questions
- Who won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction in 2025?
- “We Do Not Part” by Han Kang, translated by e. yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction in 2025.
- Who are the most recent National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction winners?
- 2025: “We Do Not Part” by Han Kang, translated by e. yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris; 2024: “My Friends” by Hisham Matar; 2023: “I Am Homeless if This Is Not My Home” by Lorrie Moore; 2022: “Bliss Montage” by Ling Ma; 2021: “The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois” by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers.
- Has anyone won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction more than once?
- Yes - 5 authors have: E. L. Doctorow (1975, 1989); John Updike (1981, 1990); Stanley Elkin (1982, 1995); Louise Erdrich (1984, 2016); Marilynne Robinson (2004, 2014).