The Pulitzer Prize 2022
Welcome to our review of the Pulitzer Prize 2022! Each year, these prestigious awards recognize excellence in journalism, literature, and musical composition, with categories ranging from Fiction and Poetry to History and Biography. Established in 1917 and named after Joseph Pulitzer, a Hungarian-American publisher and journalist, the Pulitzer Prizes have a long history of honoring some of the most influential and impactful works in these fields.
The Pulitzer Prizes are a set of annual awards given out by Columbia University in recognition of excellence in journalism, literature, and musical composition. Named after Joseph Pulitzer, a Hungarian-American publisher and journalist, the prizes have been awarded since 1917 and are considered one of the most prestigious awards in the fields of journalism and literature.
The Pulitzer Prizes have a rich history that reflects the evolution of the media industry in the United States. The prizes were initially established to recognize excellence in journalism, but over the years, categories have been added to recognize other forms of artistic and intellectual achievement, such as fiction and poetry. The prizes are awarded by a board of jurors, who are selected by the Pulitzer Prize Board and represent a range of expertise in the fields of journalism, literature, and music.
The Pulitzer Prizes are culturally important because they recognize and celebrate the best in journalism and literature, and have played a role in shaping public discourse and shaping the way we think about the world. The winners of the prizes often go on to become household names and are seen as leaders in their respective fields. In this way, the Pulitzer Prizes serve as a benchmark for excellence and a source of inspiration for aspiring journalists and writers.
The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction 2022
The Fiction award for the Pulitzer Prize is given annually to a work of fiction, such as a novel or a short story collection, that demonstrates excellence in the art of fiction writing. The award is one of the most prestigious honors in the field of literature and is awarded by a board of jurors who are selected by the Pulitzer Prize Board. The Fiction award has been a part of the Pulitzer Prizes since 1948, and past winners have included literary giants such as John Steinbeck, Ernest Hemingway, and Toni Morrison. The winning work is chosen based on its originality, artistic merit, and overall contribution to the field of literature.
This year there were two finalist runner-ups:
The winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2022 was…
“The Netanyahus” by Joshua Cohen is a novel set in the winter of 1959-1960 at Corbin College, a fictional institution located in upstate New York. The story follows Ruben Blum, a Jewish historian who is part of a hiring committee reviewing the application of Benzion Netanyahu, an exiled Israeli scholar specializing in the Spanish Inquisition. When Netanyahu arrives for an interview with his family in tow, Blum finds himself hosting guests who challenge his American beliefs and assumptions.
Combining elements of fiction and nonfiction, “The Netanyahus” is a unique blend of genres that includes elements of the campus novel and the lecture. It is a comedy that explores themes of identity, politics, and cultural blending, and showcases the author’s impressive writing skills.
The Pulitzer Prize for History 2022
The History award for the Pulitzer Prize is given annually to a work of history that demonstrates excellence in historical writing. The award is one of the most prestigious honors in the field of history and is awarded by a board of jurors who are selected by the Pulitzer Prize Board. The History award has been a part of the Pulitzer Prizes since 1917, and past winners have included influential and widely read works such as “The Path Between the Seas” by David McCullough and “The Guns of August” by Barbara W. Tuchman. The winning work is chosen based on its originality, accuracy, and overall contribution to the field of history.
This year there was one finalist runner-up:
Until Justice Be Done by Kate Masur
The two winners of the Pulitzer Prize for History in 2022 were…
“Covered with Night” by Nicole Eustace is a Pulitzer Prize-winning work of history that explores a single event that occurred in 1722 in Pennsylvania. The event involved a pair of colonial fur traders who brutally assaulted a Seneca hunter, which sparked a conflict between Native American forms of justice and colonial ideology. Eustace reconstructs the attack and its aftermath, introducing a cast of memorable characters and narrating the criminal investigations and cross-cultural negotiations that ensued.
The book takes its title from a Haudenosaunee metaphor for mourning and encourages readers to consider Indigenous approaches to grief, condolence, and justice. Overall, “Covered with Night” offers a unique and insightful portrait of early America.
“Cuba: An American History” by Ada Ferrer is a comprehensive and engaging chronicle of the complicated relationship between the United States and Cuba. The book spans over five centuries, covering the evolution of the modern nation and its many significant events, including conquest and colonization, slavery and freedom, and various revolutions. Ferrer also explores the intricate connection between the two countries and how they have influenced each other over time.
Drawing on more than 30 years of research and extensive travel to the island, Ferrer offers a unique and thorough account of the history of Cuba and its relationship with the United States. This book is filled with captivating stories and characters and is sure to provide readers with new insights into the history of both countries.
The Pulitzer Prize for Biography 2022
The Biography award for the Pulitzer Prize is given annually to a work of biography that demonstrates excellence in biographical writing. The award is one of the most prestigious honors in the field of biography and is awarded by a board of jurors who are selected by the Pulitzer Prize Board. The Biography award has been a part of the Pulitzer Prizes since 1917, and past winners have included influential and widely read works such as “The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York” by Robert Caro and “Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson. The winning work is chosen based on its originality, accuracy, and overall contribution to the field of biography.
This year there were two finalist runner-ups:
The winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 2022 was…
“Chasing Me to My Grave” by Winfred Rembert is a powerful and moving memoir that tells the story of the author’s life, from his childhood as a field laborer in Georgia to his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement and his time on chain gangs. The book also includes Rembert’s breathtaking body of work, which he created using leather tooling skills he learned in prison. Rembert’s memoir is told in collaboration with Tufts Philosopher Erin I. Kelly and brings to life vivid scenes of Black life on Cuthbert, Georgia’s Hamilton Avenue.
It is a celebration of Black life and an unflinching look at the dangers and promises of the Civil Rights movement, the brutality of incarceration, and the search for love and connection. “Chasing Me to My Grave” is a poignant and necessary read that confronts the painful and urgent realities at the heart of American history and society.
The Pulitzer Prize for Poetry 2022
The Poetry award for the Pulitzer Prize is given annually to a work of poetry that demonstrates excellence in poetry writing. The award is one of the most prestigious honors in the field of poetry and is awarded by a board of jurors who are selected by the Pulitzer Prize Board. The Poetry award has been a part of the Pulitzer Prizes since 1922, and past winners have included well-known poets such as Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, and Gwendolyn Brooks. The winning work is chosen based on its originality, artistic merit, and overall contribution to the field of poetry.
This year there were two finalist runner-ups:
The winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry 2022 was…
“frank: sonnets” by Diane Seuss is a powerful and candid collection of poems that tells the story of the author’s life, from her working-class childhood in rural Michigan to her experiences in New York City and beyond. These poems explore themes of poverty, addiction, AIDS, motherhood, and more, and showcase Seuss’s virtuosity as a poet.
With its nimble movements across time, genre, and thought, “frank: sonnets” captures the magnitude of a life lived honestly and the search for beauty and relief. Seuss’s writing is astute, austere, and frank, and this collection demonstrates her mastery of the sonnet form. “frank: sonnets” is a must-read for fans of Seuss’s work and for anyone interested in poetry that is raw, honest, and emotionally charged.
The Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction 2022
The General Non-Fiction award for the Pulitzer Prize is given annually to a work of general non-fiction that demonstrates excellence in non-fiction writing. The award is one of the most prestigious honors in the field of general non-fiction and is awarded by a board of jurors who are selected by the Pulitzer Prize Board.
The General Non-Fiction award has been a part of the Pulitzer Prizes since 1962, and past winners have included influential and widely read works such as “The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11” by Lawrence Wright and “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City” by Matthew Desmond. The winning work is chosen based on its originality, accuracy, and overall contribution to the field of general non-fiction.
This year there were two finalist runner-ups:
- Home, Land, Security: Deradicalization and the Journey Back from Extremism
Home, Land, Security: Deradicalization and the Journey Back from Extremism - The Family Roe: An American Story
The Family Roe: An American Story
The winner of the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 2022 was…
“Invisible Child” by Andrea Elliott is a poignant and powerful work of non-fiction that tells the story of Dasani, a girl growing up in a Brooklyn shelter. Through Elliott’s luminous prose, we follow Dasani’s journey as she navigates a world filled with poverty, hunger, violence, racism, drug addiction, and the threat of foster care. Alongside Dasani’s story, Elliott also traces the history of her ancestors, from slavery to the Great Migration north, offering a sweeping and immersive narrative.
As Dasani comes of age in the midst of New York City’s homeless crisis, she becomes a fierce protector of her family, but must also grapple with the difficult decision of whether to leave poverty behind and enroll in a boarding school. “Invisible Child” is a poignant and thought-provoking book that explores themes of resilience, family, and inequality through the lens of one remarkable girl’s life.
If you are looking for a new book to read, consider exploring one of the finalists or winners of the Pulitzer Prize in 2022. These works represent some of the best writing and journalism in their respective fields, and have been recognized for their excellence by a panel of esteemed jurors.
Whether you are interested in fiction, poetry, history, biography, or general non-fiction, there is sure to be a Pulitzer Prize winner or finalist that will capture your attention and inspire you with its insights, storytelling, and artistic merit. So don’t hesitate, dive into one of these exceptional works and discover the power of great writing and journalism.
If you enjoyed this recap of the Pulitzer Prizes of 2022, then you may also want to read our recap of the Booker Prize winners of 2022.
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