Man Booker Prize won by Julian Barnes on fourth attempt
Baku, October 19 (AZERTAC). Julian Barnes has won the Man Booker Prize for his novel The Sense of an Ending, having been shortlisted on three previous occasions.
Barnes - the bookmakers` favourite - said he was "as much relieved as I am delighted" to win the £50,000 prize.
The judges had been criticised for putting a focus on "readability" in their choice of shortlisted novels.
Chairwoman, ex-MI5 boss Dame Stella Rimington, said the publishing world was like the "KGB at its height".
Of Barnes`s novel, Dame Stella said it had "the makings of a classic of English literature".
She described the novel as "exquisitely written, subtly plotted and reveals new depths with each reading".
"We thought it was a book that spoke to the humankind in the 21st Century."
In reference to the row over the literary merit of the books the judges chose, she accused her critics within the publishing world of resembling the Russian security service for their use of "black propaganda, de-stabilisation operations, plots and double agents".
Barnes, in his acceptance speech, said: "I`d like to thank the judges - whom I won`t hear a word against - for their wisdom. And the sponsors for their cheque."
Thanking the book`s designer, Suzanne Dean, he added: "Those of you who`ve seen my book - whatever you may think of its contents - will probably agree that it is a beautiful object.
"And if the physical book, as we`ve come to call it, is to resist the challenge of the e-book, it has to look like something worth buying and worth keeping."
The shortest novel of the six finalists, The Sense of an Ending is about childhood friendship and the imperfections of memory.
It is narrated by a middle-aged man, Tony Webster, who reflects on the paths he and his friends have taken as the past catches up with him via a bequeathed diary.
Barnes had been shortlisted for the prize on three previous occasions, without success.
The London-based author was nominated in 1984 for Flaubert`s Parrot, in 1998 for England, England and in 2005 for Arthur and George.
Dame Stella said the five judges had reached a final, unanimous decision after about half an hour of debate on Tuesday.
Despite the literary row, this year`s shortlist has been the best-selling in Booker history - sales of the shortlisted novels are up 127% on last year.
Snowdrops has sold most, shifting more than 35,000 copies since it was shortlisted. Next is Jamrach`s Menagerie with 19,500 and The Sense of an Ending with 15,000.
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