Jesmyn Ward's 'Salvage the Bones' is also a winner. It's a heart - wrenching story set in Mississippi that delves into the lives of a poor black family as they face the approaching Hurricane Katrina.
The National Book Award in 2013 for Fiction was given to Adam Johnson for his work 'The Orphan Master's Son'. This book is set in North Korea and delves deep into the lives of its characters in that unique and often mysterious setting. It was recognized for its powerful storytelling, vivid characters, and the way it shed light on a part of the world that is not always well - understood in Western literature.
One such winner is 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead. It reimagines the Underground Railroad as an actual railroad underground, offering a unique and harrowing look at the era of slavery in America.
Some of the notable works in the National Book Award 2020 Fiction were 'The Night Watchman' by Louise Erdrich. It's a powerful novel that delves into the experiences of Native Americans. It weaves historical events with personal stories, showing the struggles and resilience of the characters. The award honors such works that have a significant impact on the literary landscape and contribute to the richness of the fiction genre in 2020.
Recent winner Richard Powers with his book 'The Overstory'. It focuses on trees and the environment in a very unique way. It weaves together different stories of people whose lives are somehow connected to trees, and it's a really thought - provoking take on our relationship with nature.
In recent years, Richard Powers' 'The Overstory' won. It's a novel that focuses on trees and the environment, but also on human relationships and how we interact with the natural world.
Some past winners include Jesmyn Ward. Her work has been recognized for its powerful exploration of race, family, and the human condition. Another is Louise Erdrich, whose novels often delve into Native American experiences. And Philip Roth, who was known for his incisive and often controversial takes on American society in his fictional works.
One recent trend might also be in the exploration of mental health issues within a fictional context. Novels could be showing how characters struggle with anxiety, depression or other mental health problems, and how they navigate their lives and relationships while dealing with these issues. This is in line with the increasing awareness and importance of mental health in our society today.