Abdelrahman ElGendy and Mohamed Mbougar Sarr Are Finalists for the 2026 National Book Awards
Two African writers have landed spots among the 25 finalists for the 2026 National Book Awards, and the literary world is paying attention. Egyptian author Abdelrahman ElGendy is recognized in the Nonfiction category for his memoir Huna: A Memoir of Revolution, Prison, and Becoming, a deeply personal account that takes readers through revolution, imprisonment, and self-discovery.
Senegalese novelist Mohamed Mbougar Sarr, already beloved across the continent and beyond, earns his finalist nod in the Translated Literature category for Pure Men. The novel, translated from the French by Lara Vergnaud, continues to extend Sarr's remarkable reach into English-language literary spaces.
Between a memoir rooted in Egyptian political upheaval and a Senegalese novel crossing language borders, these two nominations speak to the range and urgency of African storytelling right now. Watch this space when the winners are announced.
Originally published by Brittle Paper.