The Los Angeles Times has a piece by one of the judges of this year’s National Book Awards, outlining the general procedure for picking candidates and finally arriving at the winner. (This year’s winner was “The Echo Maker” by Richard Powers). The author also comments on the irrevelancy of literary prizes in general..
On another note, I’m slowling slogging through Pynchon’s Against the Day, though I probably won’t finish it in time to write a review.
December 4, 2006 at 2:48 pm
Margaret Atwood makes a very convincing case for The Echo Maker in the latest NYRB…
January 20, 2007 at 5:42 pm
It also helps if you are a former student and good friend of one of the judges.