Show-Me State Times

Jhumpa Lahiri has been named the recipient of the 2026 St. Louis Literary Award, as announced by the award's selection committee. Edward Ibur, executive director of the St. Louis Literary Award, commented on Lahiri's recognition: “The St. Louis Literary Award selection committee is thrilled to select Jhumpa Lahiri as the 58th award recipient. The Award’s mission, in part, is to celebrate writers whose work enhances our understanding of the human condition, and we believe will resonate long into the future.” He further praised Lahiri's ability to explore complex themes with engaging storytelling, stating, “Lahiri’s essays, translated works, and fiction reveal a writer who adeptly explores identity, cultural dislocation, and the immigrant experience."

Jhumpa Lahiri's work includes novels such as “The Namesake,” “The Lowland,” and “In Altre Parole.” She is also known for her short story collections “Interpreter of Maladies” and “Unaccustomed Earth,” as well as poetry and non-fiction works like “The Clothing of Books” and “Translating Myself and Others.”

Lahiri's debut story collection, "Interpreter of Maladies," which examines issues of love and identity, earned her the Pulitzer Prize in 2000. "The Namesake" was recognized as a New York Times Notable Book and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. Its film adaptation, directed by Mira Nair, was released in 2007. Additionally, "Unaccustomed Earth" received the 2008 Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award and was a finalist for the Story Prize. "The Lowland" won the DSC award for South Asian fiction and was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize and the National Book Award in fiction.

Edward Ibur highlighted Lahiri's literary journey: “Jhumpa Lahiri's career, one that spans the Pulitzer Prize-winning ‘Interpreter of Maladies’ to ‘The Namesake,’ ‘The Lowland,’ and her growing body of critically well-received translations, often showcase the nuances of language, belonging, and ultimately— transformation.”

Born in London and raised in Rhode Island, Lahiri earned her degree from Barnard College and a Ph.D. in Renaissance Studies from Boston University. Her accolades include the National Humanities Medal awarded in 2014, the PEN/Hemingway Award, an O. Henry Prize, and more. In 2024, she was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Lahiri serves as the Millicent C. McIntosh Professor of English and Director of Creative Writing at Barnard College, Columbia University.

The St. Louis Literary Award is presented each year by Saint Louis University, honoring authors whose work deepens understanding of the human condition. Some past recipients of the award include Chinua Achebe, Margaret Atwood, Seamus Heaney, and Mario Vargas Llosa.