PEN/Faulkner Award 2004: Complete list of winners

The PEN/Faulkner Award has long served as one of the literary world’s most prestigious honors, celebrating American fiction that showcases exceptional artistry and insight. Named after the legendary William Faulkner, the award carries particular weight among writers and serious readers who recognize it as a marker of literary excellence distinct from mainstream bestseller lists. The 2004 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction went to John Updike for The Early Stories: 1953-1975, a comprehensive collection that gathers some of Updike’s most celebrated shorter works from the formative decades of his career.

This recognition of Updike’s story collection speaks to the award’s commitment to honoring the full spectrum of literary achievement—not just novels, but the intricate craft of short fiction as well. The Early Stories represents a fascinating retrospective, allowing readers and critics alike to trace the evolution of one of American literature’s most prolific and technically skilled writers. Spanning more than two decades of work, the collection showcases the range and refinement that has made Updike’s name synonymous with literary sophistication and psychological acuity.

Below, you’ll find the complete list of 2004 PEN/Faulkner Award winners and finalists.

Fiction

• The Early Stories: 1953-1975 by John Updike