Fourth-time lucky Barnes wins Man Booker
“Beautifully written … a book that spoke to humankind,’’ is how Man Booker Prize judging chairwoman Stella Rimington described London author Julian Barnes’ The Sense Of An Ending.
The 150-page novel is the winner of this year’s Man Booker, announced on October 18. It is the first time Barnes, who has been nominated three times, has won the prestigious literary award. Barnes was the bookies’ favorite among a shortlist field that prompted raised eyebrows among many literary observers who felt the prize panel had put popular themes ahead of literary skill and quality of writing.
Dame Stella Rimington, a former head of MI5 who is now a successful thriller writer, said Barnes’ book had the “markings of a classic of English literature. It is exquisitely written, subtly plotted and reveals new depths with each reading’’.
The Sense Of An Ending by Julian Barnes is published by Jonathan Cape and is $29.95.