Here are the winners of the 2003 National Book Awards, as announced earlier this evening:
I have stories to tell about the ceremony, especially about Stephen King’s speech in acceptance of the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, which was, to put it mildly, an unapologetic defense of popular genre fiction–and which inspired Shirley Hazzard to reply, quietly but firmly, at evening’s end. But…it’s raining in Manhattan, there aren’t any cabs, the subway took forever, I’m soaked to the skin, and it’s time to get out of this wet tuxedo and under a warm comforter. So I’m going to bed. Come back tomorrow and I’ll tell you everything.