Richard Isakson, a retired professor from BYU, is Pulitzer Prize centennial all-star. As of last week, he was about to finish the last of the 86 novels that have won Pulitzers during the first century of the prizes.
Rachel Piper (Photo by Colin Wolf)
As you’ll see in Rachel Piper’s fine story about Isakson, his quest began 12 years ago when he picked up One of Ours, the 1924 prize-winner by Willa Cather. He’s in the homestretch now, reading Norman Mailer’s The Executioner’s Song, a Mailerian blend of fact and fiction that won the 1980 prize.
Piper provides a list of Isakson’s favorites for anyone who might want to try to set out on his march through Pulitzer history – or just curl up with a good book.
Do you have a favorite? Tell the Salt Lake Tribune.
The Tribune is producing events and coverage throughout the year to celebrate the centennial. The focus on fiction includes an effort to find out readers’ favorites. And Piper solicited another best-of list from Becky Jo Gesteland, the interim dean of the English Department at Weber State University, and Sian Griffiths, the university’s director of creative writing.
Here are a few of their remarks about one novel on their list:
“Amazing in its lyricism and attention to character.”
“What I remember is the scenery, and the starkness of where they live, in the wintertime especially.”
“It takes place in Newfoundland, and there’s kind of weird family history, with rape and incest.”
Can you guess the title?
Here are Piper and Gesteland's 15 ways to get started reading Pulitzer winners.
Read one Pulitzer-winner from each book category.
Bonus: Seek out a Pulitzer-winning photograph, cartoon or news story. With more than 2000 prizes awarded since 1917, you’re sure to find many you enjoy.
Reading Challenge, option 2: Read seven books from one category.
Let us know how you did, or how you’re doing, by using the hashtag #Pulitzer100 on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Looking forward to seeing your stacks!