Barry's novel a winner despite its 'many flaws'
Sebastian Barry at the Costa Book Book of the Year Awards in London last night after winning the €26,800 top prize for his novel, 'The Secret Scripture'
IRISH novelist Sebastian Barry was last night named the winner of the Costa Book of the Year award in spite of writing a novel that was, according to the judges, "flawed in many ways".
Dubliner Barry (53) picked up the Stg£25,000 (€26,800) Costa prize for 'The Secret Scripture'. However, the nine-strong judging panel also noted that the book had "a lot wrong with it".
The book, which had been tipped to win the 2008 Booker Prize, and only narrowly lost out during the final judging, was selected from a shortlist of five writers who were named category winners this month.
The story revolves around Roseanne McNulty, who is facing an uncertain future on the approach of her 100th birthday as the Roscommon Regional Mental Hospital -- where she has spent most of her adult life -- prepares to close.
Matthew Parris, the columnist and chair of the judges, said the competition between Barry and Adam Foulds, who nearly claimed the prize for his poetic works, 'The Broken Word', was "extraordinarily close".
Judges
Mr Parris said the judges agreed to give the prize to Barry's book, despite its less than perfect ending. "It was an extraordinarily close finish among the judges," he said. "There was huge support for both. The feeling among judges was that there was a lot wrong with it ['The Secret Scripture'].It was flawed in many ways, almost no one liked its ending. But there was a feeling among the judges that many great works of literature are also flawed."
It was the narrative strength of the central character, Roseanne, that helped Barry triumph, he added.
Speaking after winning his victory, Mr Barry said: "The photographers told me earlier to smile, now I really am smiling," said Mr Barry when he accepted his award.
"Every writer, especially after 30 years, belongs to a strange little village that doesn't have any habitation and my village is my mysterious agent, Derek Johns.
"I also wanted to thank the judges most sincerely. If I am allowed thank my wife, my beautiful children or 'my lousy kids' as Harvey Weinstein would call his kids, Merlin, Coral and Tobias.
"I would most like to thank, the spirit of the woman Roseanne McNulty whom I only gave a name but she gave the 'Secret Scripture' -- and as a consequence this wonderful night."
A Trinity College Dublin graduate, Barry lives in Wicklow with his wife, Ali Deegan and three children.
The greatest surprise of the night was that Diana Athill's memoir, 'Somewhere Towards The End', which she published aged 91, did not come close.
- ARIFA AKBAR
