Rabih Alameddine has been awarded the prestigious National Book Award for Fiction. His critically acclaimed novel, The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother), captures the complexities of a philosophy teacher’s life with his sharp-tongued mother. The award ceremony took place on a night dedicated to celebrating literary achievements while acknowledging the weight of global issues.
2025 National Book Award Winners
During the ceremony, Alameddine expressed gratitude to several individuals who played pivotal roles in his writing journey. He acknowledged his agent, editor, and early readers. Additionally, he humorously thanked his psychiatrist and drug dealers, emphasizing their support over the past decade.
Omar El Akkad received the National Book Award for Nonfiction for his poignant work, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. This book provides a critical analysis of the West’s involvement in the Gaza conflict. El Akkad reflected on the challenges of celebrating a book inspired by such profound tragedy.
Complete List of Winners
| Category | Winner | Notable Finalists |
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| Fiction | Rabih Alameddine, The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) |
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| Nonfiction | Omar El Akkad, One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This |
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| Poetry | Patricia Smith, The Intentions of Thunder: New and Selected Poems |
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| Translated Literature | Gabriela Cabezón Cámara, We Are Green and Trembling. Translated by Robin Myers |
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| Young People’s Literature | Daniel Nayeri, The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story |
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The 2025 National Book Awards highlighted exceptional literary talent across various categories. The winners reflect diverse voices and tackle pressing global themes.
