Barnes Wins 2011 Booker Prize

It was fourth time lucky for Julian Barnes who finally picked up the Man Booker Prize for his novel The Sense of an Ending. The win came after an intensely bitter build-up in which this years judges were accused by critics of putting "readability" above quality.

Barnes saw off competition from fellow nominees Carol Birch, Patrick deWitt, Esi Edugyan and debut authors Stephen Kelman and A.D Miller.

 

The Sense of an Ending is told by principle character Tony Webster, a middle-aged man who, after the suicide of a life-long friend receives a letter which contains an unusual request.  

Julian Barnes: 2011 Booker Prize winner for A Sense of an Ending