The 68th Prêmio Jabuti crowned Ruy Castro as Book of the Year for the second time for his work Trincheira tropical: a Segunda Guerra Mundial no Rio, in an award presented by the Brazilian Book Chamber (CBL). The 68th edition of the Prêmio Jabuti is divided into four axes: Literature, Non-Fiction, Editorial Production, and Innovation, encompassing a total of 23 categories alongside the top honor of the night.
The Bottom Line
- Ruy Castro secured the top Book of the Year honor for his Second World War Rio de Janeiro chronicle, Trincheira Tropical, published by Companhia das Letras.
- Eliana Alves Cruz claimed the Best Literary Romance category for Meridiana, tackling social ascent and structural racism.
- The ceremony at Sala São Paulo introduced the digital culture reading incentive category, won by digital influencer Pedro Pacífico, known as Bookster.
Ruy Castro Makes Literary History at Sala São Paulo
In a historic sweep for Brazilian letters, Ruy Castro took home the top honor at the Sala São Paulo ceremony on Tuesday night, October 27, 2026, as reported by Estadão. The victory for Trincheira tropical: a Segunda Guerra Mundial no Rio marks the second time that Ruy Castro has secured the Book of the Year title. Castro previously won the crown for his collection of chronicles about Tom Jobim published by Companhia das Letras. For winning the Book of the Year award, Ruy Castro takes home R$ 70,000 and can choose to participate in one of the major international book fairs—London, Bologna, Frankfurt, or Guadalajara—with travel expenses paid by the CBL. The award-winning work investigates the effects of the Second World War on the lives of Rio de Janeiro residents and their participation in the European conflict, having also won in the Biography and Reportage category.
The immortal of the Brazilian Academy of Letters won thirty years ago for his seminal biography of Mané Garrincha, Estrela Solitária, and was chosen as best literary novelist in 2023 for Os Perigos do Imperador, which featured more fictional elements.
Sevani Matos, of the Brazilian Book Chamber, noted that the Jabuti “pode continuar se renovando, acompanhando as transformações da sociedade e acolhendo novas vozes.”
Because Castro was unable to attend the ceremony in downtown São Paulo, editor Camila Berto accepted the accolade on his behalf. Berto pointed out the poetic coincidence that the award fell on the exact day Companhia das Letras celebrated its 40th anniversary, a publishing house where Castro remains its most published author since his 1990 classic Chega de Saudade.
Eliana Alves Cruz and the Fiction Battleground
While Castro dominated non-fiction reporting, the fiction categories saw intense competition. Eliana Alves Cruz claimed the Best Literary Romance prize for Meridiana, also released by Companhia das Letras (Metrópoles noted). The novel charts the journey of a Black family that leaves the favela and rises in social class, having to now confront the dilemmas of structural racism, with the narrative focusing particularly on the youngest of three children, the girl Meridiana, who holds the sharpest perspective among the characters.
Alves Cruz triumphed over a formidable shortlist that included literary giants like Milton Hatoum and Itamar Vieira Junior.
| Category | Winner | Work | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book of the Year | Ruy Castro | Trincheira Tropical | Companhia das Letras |
| Literary Romance | Eliana Alves Cruz | Meridiana | Companhia das Letras |
| Digital Culture Reading Incentive | Pedro Pacífico | @bookster |
Digital Influencers and Expanding Frontiers
Reflecting the shifting paradigms of modern readership, this year’s ceremony introduced the Incentivo à Leitura – Cultura Digital category. Gustavo Scarpa presented the award to Pedro Pacífico. Better known as Bookster to his followers, Pacífico claimed the digital category.
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In this edition, the Debutant Writer – Poetry and Debutant Writer – Romance categories also became eligible to compete for the main title.
The broader literary landscape was further honored by recognizing veteran figures and debutants alike. Lygia Bojunga received special homage as the literary personality of the edition, commemorating 50 years since the publication of her classic work A Bolsa Amarela.
