Salman Rushdie to receive National Book Award for lifetime achievement

Author Salman Rushdie will receive a National Book Award medal for lifetime achievement, an honor presented by the nonprofit National Book Foundation. Rushdie, a U.S. citizen for the last decade, is the 39th recipient of the award for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.

Rushdie, who was born in Mumbai and later emigrated to England before settling in New York City, noted that the award provides a sense of belonging to American literature. He will be presented with the medal by author Kiran Desai at the National Book Awards ceremony in Manhattan on November 18.

Rushdie is only the fourth recipient born outside of the United States, joining Saul Bellow, Isabel Allende, and Art Spiegelman. The ceremony will also honor pediatrician and literacy activist Perri Klass with the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community.