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 finally win.
The 65-year-old was presented with the £50,000 (prize) at London's Guildhall.
Chairwoman of the judges, ex-MI5 boss Dame Stella Rimington, said the (novel) had "the markings of a classic of English (literature)".
The judges had come under fire this year from some literary quarters for putting a (focus) on "readability".
In his acceptance speech, Barnes 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)."
Source from BBC
