This year’s National Book Critics Circle Awards highlights a diverse group of finalists, including Arundhati Roy, Han Kang, and Viet Thanh Nguyen, reflecting the growing prominence of Asian voices in literature.
The 2026 National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) Awards has unveiled its finalists, showcasing a rich tapestry of literary voices that increasingly spotlight Asian American and South Asian perspectives. This year’s nominations signal a significant cultural shift, as diasporic narratives move from the margins to the forefront of U.S. literary recognition.
The NBCC announced its finalists on Tuesday, honoring works published in the United States across various categories, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, criticism, and autobiography. The list is notable for the strong representation of authors whose works engage with Asian, Asian American, and Indian experiences, both domestically and globally.
Among the prominent nominees is Indian writer and activist Arundhati Roy, who has been nominated in the autobiography category for her book, “Mother Mary Comes to Me.” Although Roy resides in India, her impact on American readers has been profound, particularly among Indian American scholars and audiences who view her work as a vital connection between South Asian political history and global literary discourse. This memoir intertwines personal reflection with broader cultural memory, continuing Roy’s legacy of challenging power structures through intimate storytelling.
Viet Thanh Nguyen, a Vietnamese American novelist and Pulitzer Prize winner, has received a nomination in the criticism category for his work, “To Save and to Destroy.” Nguyen has emerged as one of the most influential Asian American intellectuals today, particularly noted for his explorations of war, displacement, and cultural memory. His nomination underscores the growing stature of Asian American criticism alongside fiction and poetry in shaping contemporary U.S. literary thought.
In the fiction category, South Korean author Han Kang, a Nobel Prize laureate, is a finalist for her novel “We Do Not Part,” which has been translated into English by e. yaewon and Paige Aniyah Morris. The inclusion of Kang’s work highlights the increasing acceptance of Asian narratives, even those rooted outside the U.S., as essential components of contemporary literature.
The broader finalists list reflects a diversity of backgrounds and subject matter, featuring works by authors such as Angela Flournoy, Karen Russell, and Katie Kitamura. However, the recognition of Asian and South Asian writers carries particular significance in an industry that has historically underrepresented these communities.
The NBCC Awards, voted on by professional book critics, are regarded as some of the most influential literary honors in the United States. They are often viewed as a barometer of critical taste rather than commercial success, making the representation of Asian American and Indian voices especially meaningful.
For Indian American readers and writers, Roy’s nomination signifies a sustained interest in South Asian perspectives within U.S. literary institutions. Meanwhile, for Asian American communities, the acknowledgment of figures like Nguyen reflects decades of advocacy and creative work finally receiving consistent critical recognition.
As the winners are set to be announced on March 26, this year’s NBCC finalists collectively suggest a transformative moment in American literary culture, one increasingly shaped by diasporic histories, multilingual storytelling, and voices that transcend national boundaries. The recognition of these authors not only enriches the literary landscape but also fosters a deeper understanding of the diverse narratives that define contemporary society.
According to The American Bazaar, the growing prominence of these voices highlights a significant cultural evolution in the literary world.