Rabih Alameddine won the 2025 National Book Award for fiction. His novel is “The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother).” The award was announced on November 19, 2025. Alameddine’s darkly comic saga spanning six decades follows a gay Lebanese philosophy teacher confronting his past.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Prize Amount: $10,000 awarded to 2025 winner
- Award Date: Ceremony held November 19, 2025 at Cipriani Wall Street
- Book Genre: Darkly comic family saga set in Lebanon with LGBTQ+ themes
- Prior Wins: Alameddine won PEN/Faulkner Award for “The Wrong End of the Telescope” in 2022
- Novel Setting: Spans from 1960s through contemporary era in Lebanon
How Alameddine Defeated the Competition
Rabih Alameddine bested four other finalists to claim fiction’s top prize. His debut finalist nomination came as breakthrough recognition. The novel received strong critical acclaim since its September 2025 publication. Publishers Weekly called it “a ravishing performance.” Goodreads readers gave it a 4.2 out of 5 star rating from over 1,000 reviews.
National Book Award winners fiction: Rabih Alameddine takes 2025 fiction honor for darkly comic epic
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The National Book Foundation judges praised the book’s ambitious scope. It weaves together family drama, political history, and philosophical inquiry. The protagonist Raja embarks on a sprawling journey through his life. He reckon with his complicated relationship with his mother and homeland. The novel spans Lebanon’s civil war era and economic collapse. It captures the chaos of modern Lebanese life with dark humor and compassion.
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The Author’s Remarkable Literary Journey
Rabih Alameddine was born in Amman, Jordan to Lebanese parents. He grew up in Kuwait and Lebanon. His education spanned England and America. He is both a painter and writer of international acclaim. His earlier novels include “Koolaids: The Art of War” (1998) and “I, the Divine” (2001). His critically acclaimed work “The Hakawati” (2008) earned widespread recognition. “An Unnecessary Woman” (2014) followed to further acclaim.
“The Angel of History” (2016) was nominated for major literary prizes. “The Wrong End of the Telescope” (2021) won the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction in 2022. Alameddine teaches at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. NPR described him as “a writer with a boundless imagination.” His work often explores LGBTQ+ identity and Middle Eastern themes. He has received numerous prestigious awards including the Guggenheim Fellowship and Prix Femina étranger.
The 2025 National Book Awards: A Night of Political Voices
| Category | Winner | Title | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiction | Rabih Alameddine | The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) | $10,000 |
| Nonfiction | Omar El Akkad | One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This | $10,000 |
| Poetry | Patricia Smith | The Intentions of Thunder | $10,000 |
| Translated Literature | Gabriela Cabezón Cámara | We Are Green and Trembling | $10,000 |
| Young People’s Literature | Daniel Nayeri | The Teacher of Nomad Land | $10,000 |
The 2025 National Book Awards ceremony was held at Cipriani Wall Street on Wednesday, November 19. The event featured a performance by singer Corinne Bailey Rae. The ceremony also honored lifetime achievement awardees Roxane Gay and George Saunders. Winners used their acceptance speeches to address global crises and political issues directly.
What Makes This Novel Stand Out
- Epic Scope: Spans six decades of family history and Lebanese political upheaval
- Narrative Innovation: Features tales within tales reflecting narrative complexity praised by critics
- LGBTQ+ Representation: Centers gay protagonist grappling with identity and belonging
- Dark Comedy: Balances humor with serious examination of war, loss, and displacement
According to The Guardian, the novel is “a darkly comic saga.” It explores family bonds amid chaos. Alameddine‘s acceptance speech demonstrated his commitment to social justice. He referenced crises in Gaza and the United States immigration system. He quoted a famous anti-fascist phrase stating “they make a desolation and call it a ceasefire.”
Why This Victory Matters for Literary Culture
This 2025 award represents validation for international voices in American letters. Alameddine brings a distinctly Lebanese-American perspective to contemporary fiction. His work addresses Middle Eastern trauma often ignored in mainstream publishing. The novel has already found a significant readership; copies sold across independent bookstores nationwide. Critics hailed it as one of the year’s finest works upon its September 2025 debut.
Several 2025 National Book Award winners used their speeches politically. Nonfiction winner Omar El Akkad spoke urgently about Gaza. Poetry winner Patricia Smith centered Black American experience and struggle. This year’s ceremony emphasized literature’s power during turbulent times. Authors refused celebratory tones, instead addressing urgent global suffering. Such directness reflects publishing’s evolving social consciousness and responsibility.
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.