Julian Barnes Wins Man Booker Prize 2011

Photo by Tim Valentine

After four nominations, Julian Barnes has finally won the Booker Prize 2011 for his latest novel, The Sense of an Ending.

The novella has been praised for it's portrayal of the fluidity of human memories and ageing. Narrator, Tony Webster, is forced to re-evaluate his youthful memories when he is bequeathed an old friend's diary.

This year's panel  has faced some controversy for the populist tone of it's list. The Man Booker has traditonally been associated with so called Literary Fiction. Head of this year's judging panel, Dame Stella Rimington, has been repeatedly forced to defend her panel's decisions: a fact she alluded to in her speech as she presented this year's award.

Despite criticism from some corners, the shortlist has proved to be wildly popular with readers, breaking previous year's figures to be the best selling Booker shortlist ever.

Barnes was awarded the £50,000 prize at a ceremony tonight at the London Guild Hall.