Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 2024 Predictions

The finalists and winner of this year's Pulitzer Prize for Fiction will be announced on May 6. Here are my predictions! Click ‘Show More’ for info & links.

--------------------

Books discussed & purchase links:

Biography of X by Catherine Lacey

Blackouts by Justin Torres

North Woods by Daniel Mason

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

My full reviews of some of these books:

Biography of X by Catherine Lacey

North Woods by Daniel Mason

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

--------------------

Get in touch

[HelenSchneider-tlyh]

I am rooting for The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. I think it conveys American experience better than other novels although North Woods definitely satisfies this preferred criteria as well.

[rora]

Eric, I owe you a big thanks for introducing me to so many great books in the last year or so. I first disovered you when I saw you had a couple videos on Joyce Carol Oates, my all-time favorite writer, so I thought, this guy obviously has good taste, let's see what else he's reading. I read a few books from your "10 Best of Past 10 Years" and loved every single one of them. My vote for the Pulitzer would go to "North Woods, " but there are so many I haven't read yet. Luckily, libraries are still free. Thanks again.

[karenmoore]

Hi Eric I have read North Woods and loved it. I am picking up Biography of X from the library at the weekend and I have Heaven and Earth Grocery Store on my Kindle.

[hettiestroebel]

I am keeping my fingers crossed for Heaven and Earth Grocery Store! Thank you once again for a wonderful channel with excellent reviews of books👏

[GreatBooksGuy]

Great list! Thank you for your predictions. It's only a couple more weeks now until we find out.... I'm also looking forward to seeing you served on the jury this year!

[jimmitulski]

Blackouts is my favorite. I lived there writing, the stories, and even the book as artifact was thoroughly pleasing

[readandre-read]

I just heard Justin Torres speak about Blackouts at a book festival last weekend and now I'm very excited to read it. Biography of X is still on my list as well. I did love North Woods and I'm also rooting for Heaven and Earth Grocery Store or Tom Lake.

[Showmeyourshelfie]

James, Absolution, Heaven and Earth and Martyr would all make my prediction list but I think you have a pretty great one too. Blackouts seems unlikely because it won the National Book award. Biography of X has been on my to read for a while and a win will bump it up. Great video!

[jacquelinemcmenamin]

I loved North Woods and Tom Lake. I’m also hoping The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store gets a mention . My long shot is my favourite book of 2023
Deluge by Stephen Markley

[christophercobb]

I tried to get into "Trust" and REALLY wanted to love it. However, the book just did not land for me. Everything about it makes me want to love it. Thanks for inspiring me to try to read "Trust" again! I always appreciate and consider your suggestions!

On a completely separate note in regard to authors I've discovered, : I recently discovered the work of Brazilian writer Clarice Lispector. To say I was blown away by her writing is an understatement! I wish I could read Brazilian Portuguese, just because the translated language in English is already so thrilling to read. I can only imagine how thrilling the writing would be in its original language!

[bianquita]

I was somewhat underwhelmed by Tom Lake. I've bought North Woods but I'm yet to read it. I tried Biography of X but I couldn't get into it.

[christinacampbellbooks]

Enjoyed hearing your thoughts on these, Eric. I'm looking forward to seeing the winner announcement ☺

[sallyballin]

What did you think of The Covenant of Water, Abraham Vergese?

[peaseblossom]

I should finish North Woods today or tomorrow—I absolutely love it. I also thought Tom Lake and Heaven & Earth were fantastic. …I’m working my way through as many titles as I can before May 6th that Greg from SupposedlyFun mentioned in his recent Pulitzer video, so I’ll prioritize Biography of X and Blackouts. I’m also currently listening to Chain-Gang All-Stars, and it’s such a powerful and creative commentary on America’s prison system & capitalism—I could see it being a worthy contender.

So many great books to choose from—I suspect I’ll be thrilled with which one ultimately wins.

[janethansen]

I'm wondering if the winner will be something out of left field this year. It's difficult to pick a winner when there is no longlist or shortlist.

[sandracorbett]

Wow, I have actually read all four! I preferred North Woods overall ☺

[athertonca]

I am hoping for Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, North Woods and Absolution.

[RSelcov]

I'm rooting for Heaven & Earth GS

[ianp]

Would James by Percival Everett be eligible?

[jeffrent]

I am hoping for Tom Lake in part because I think Ann Patchett is overdue, but also because it deals with the two major topics of American life in the 2020s in a way that serves as a corrective tone for our default national discourse. Patchett is so gifted at not making a meal out of conflict or drama, but simply laying out the truth of her characters. I thought the deft weaving of Our Town and The Cherry Orchard into the book was particularly impressive. She is a unique voice in American literature and her style doesn't get the respect it deserves. Some people will have a reductive lens on this book, relegating it to "cozy fiction" or some other patronizing BookTok-style tag, but if you read enough lit fic and pop fic you know that Ann Patchett rises above the pack in both categories. That this is probably her 4th or 5th novel worthy of literary awards makes me want to see her take the prize that much more.