After Boston University professor Christopher Ricks was chosen as a finalist for the 2002 National Book Critics Circle Awards in the Criticism category last month, Washington University in St. Louis professor William H. Gass won the award Wednesday night in New York.
Ricks’ book, Reviewery, which is an assemblage of reviews and review essays, was defeated by Gass’ book, titled Tests of Time. The winning book was a compilation of essays on American Culture and Literature.
The other categories honored at the NBCC Awards Ceremony were Fiction, General Nonfiction, Autobiography/Biography and Poetry. Each category consisted of five nominees.
Ricks had no comment about the events or the award.