PEN/Faulkner Award 1985: Complete list of winners

The 1985 PEN/Faulkner Award celebrated American literary excellence during a pivotal moment in contemporary fiction. Established in 1981 by the PEN/Faulkner Foundation to honor the best unpublished manuscript in American fiction, the award has become one of the most prestigious recognitions for writers working in the country. That year, The Barracks Thief by Tobias Wolff claimed the fiction prize, a novella that would cement Wolff’s reputation as a master of intricate, psychologically nuanced storytelling. The work’s selection underscored the award’s commitment to recognizing narratives that explore complex human experiences with both precision and compassion.

Wolff’s victory was particularly significant within the context of the mid-1980s literary landscape, when the PEN/Faulkner Award was rapidly gaining visibility as a launchpad for serious American writers. The Barracks Thief, with its tight focus and exploration of loyalty and betrayal among soldiers, showcased the kind of restrained yet emotionally powerful fiction that resonates with discerning readers and critics alike. The novella’s acclaim helped establish Wolff as a major literary voice, leading to decades of sustained recognition and influence in American letters.

Below, you’ll find the complete list of 1985 PEN/Faulkner Award winners and finalists, celebrating the year’s most distinguished works of fiction.

Fiction

• The Barracks Thief by Tobias Wolff