Literary Arts has announced the winners of its annual Oregon Book Awards.
Patrick De Witt was honored for his Gold Rush novel, The Sisters Brothers. The New York Times book review noted the novel’s "sharp, distinctive" narrative voice.
Portlander Emily Whitman took home honors for her Young Adult novel, Wildwing, about a girl who slips backward into history.
Whitman came to writing later in life. She worked in libraries for years before finding her voice, and her peer group.
"All the other YA contenders are dear friends. There's this amazing community of children's' and young adult writers here in Portland," Whitman said.
Other winners include graphic novelist Joe Sacco, who picked up an award for Footnotes in Gaza. It combines comic book narrative with investigative reporting on the plight of Palestinians in Gaza several decades ago.
The Readers' Choice award went to Lidia Yuknavitch for her memoir, The Chronology of Water.
OPB Arts & Life
Oregon Book Awards: Graphic Literature
