Arts & Entertainment
LI Town Spotlighted In National Book Award Finalist's Debut Novel
"The Town of Babylon", a novel based in its title's location, was named a finalist in the 73rd National Book Awards.
TOWN OF BABYLON, NY — The Town of Babylon is making national news in the literary world.
The 73rd National Book Awards listed Alejandro Varela, author of novel "The Town of Babylon" as a 2022 finalist, on Tuesday.
Varela, whose work has appeared in publications such as The Point Magazine, Boston Review and Harper's Magazine, said he based the debut novel off his own experiences on Long Island, according to The Boston Globe.
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The story follows Andrés, a gay, Latinx public health professor who returns to his childhood town for a high school reunion. Upon his return, Andrés "runs into the long-lost characters of his youth" and must "reevaluate the ties of societal bonds and the systems in which they are forged."
The awards will be announced on Nov. 16.
Find out what's happening in Babylon Villagefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
To view the full list of award finalists, click here.
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