The Submission by Amy Waldman

This was such a thoughtful and well written book. I really took my time reading it because I wanted to think about the characters and the issues and the politics presented.
The story...yes, it is fiction, takes place after 9/11 and opens with a jury debating the various design submissions for a memorial at the site of the attacks. The panel consists mainly of artists, and there is one woman, Claire, who is the spouse of a victim. She rallies for one design, which most of the others haven't chosen as their first selection. Claire's influence, probably because of her status as "family member," helps to bring the others to her side.
The submission and selection process is anonymous; the jury do not know the identities of the artists/architects who have submitted designs.
When the name of the artist selected is revealed as Mohammad Khan, outcry from the public is loud and antagonistic. Khan is American, and pretty mainstream at that. While he is a Muslim, he is not a practicing one and is basically non political.
The novel describes conflicts, mind shifts, prejudices and sensitivities of the characters and the public during this difficult time in our history.
There are several very interesting characters and