In a year marked by profound explorations of identity and history, the 2025 Pulitzer Prizes in the arts have celebrated a diverse array of voices redefining American narratives. On May 8, 2025, Percival Everett, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, and Susie Ibarra emerged as the notable winners, each recognized for their significant contributions to literature, drama, and music.
Percival Everett clinched the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction with his novel James, a powerful reimagining of Mark Twain's classic, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This novel is told from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man who accompanies Huck on his journey. Everett's work restores agency to Jim, reframing the narrative to confront the absurdities of racial supremacy while deepening themes of freedom and family. According to the Pulitzer Prize committee, Everett's narrative not only honors the original work but also challenges readers to reflect on the complexities of American history.
In the realm of drama, Branden Jacobs-Jenkins won the award for his play Purpose, which delves into the intricate legacy of a Black upper-middle-class family during the Civil Rights Movement. The play employs a blend of drama and humor to explore generational conflict and the evolving meaning of heritage within the family. Jacobs-Jenkins’ work has been praised for its depth and ability to resonate with contemporary audiences, making it a significant addition to American theater.
Composer Susie Ibarra was recognized for her innovative work Sky Islands, which premiered at the Asia Society in New York. This composition celebrates biodiversity through a vibrant ecological soundscape, challenging traditional compositional boundaries by integrating improvisation and environmental themes. Ibarra's approach to music has been lauded for its immersive experience that encourages listeners to engage with the natural world in new ways.
In addition to the arts awards, the history prize went to Edda L. Fields-Black for her book Combee: Harriet Tubman, the Combahee River Raid, and Black Freedom During the Civil War. This work provides a gripping account of a transformative raid led by Harriet Tubman that freed 756 enslaved individuals. Fields-Black interweaves military strategy with personal and cultural history, reshaping narratives around Tubman’s heroism and impact on the Civil War.
The biography prize was awarded to Jason Roberts for Every Living Thing, a dual biography of Carl Linnaeus and Georges-Louis de Buffon, two pioneering figures in the field of natural history. Roberts’ work explores the scientific contributions and rivalries that shaped modern biology, offering insights into the lives of these influential naturalists.
Tessa Hulls won the Memoir or Autobiography award for Feeding Ghosts: A Graphic Memoir, which traces the experiences of three generations of Chinese women. This visually striking memoir merges art with storytelling, examining themes of trauma and resilience across decades, and has been praised for its emotional depth and artistic expression.
Marie Howe's New and Selected Poems earned her the poetry prize, reflecting on mortality, holiness, and the quiet profundities of everyday life. Howe's lyrical voice has been celebrated for its emotional clarity and spiritual depth, making her collection a significant contribution to contemporary poetry.
In the General Nonfiction category, Benjamin Nathans received the Pulitzer for To the Success of Our Hopeless Cause, a comprehensive account of Soviet dissidents. Nathans’ work highlights the endurance of human rights activism under authoritarian regimes, bringing to light the stories of brave individuals fighting for freedom against overwhelming odds.
The Pulitzer Prizes also recognized the late Chuck Stone with a special citation for his groundbreaking work in journalism. Stone was the first Black columnist at the Philadelphia Daily News and co-founded the National Association of Black Journalists. His fearless coverage of the Civil Rights Movement and his contributions to journalism have left a lasting impact on the field.
The Pulitzer Prize is a prestigious award in the United States that recognizes excellence in journalism, literature, and musical composition. Established in 1917 by Joseph Pulitzer, a Hungarian-American newspaper publisher, the prizes are administered by Columbia University in New York City. Each year, the Pulitzer Prizes honor outstanding achievements across various categories, including journalism, books, drama, and music.
The 2025 Pulitzer Prize winners list reflects a commitment to honoring diverse voices and narratives that challenge conventional perspectives. The winners not only exemplify literary and artistic excellence but also serve as a reminder of the power of storytelling in shaping cultural identity and historical understanding.
As the world continues to grapple with complex social issues, the works recognized this year encourage reflection and dialogue about the past, present, and future. The 2025 Pulitzer Prizes stand as a testament to the enduring significance of literature and the arts in addressing the human experience.
